How is a Blood Python compared to a Ball Python?

[Ratman2050]

Just wondering on those two things beacuse I think Bloods look so sweet!

Anyways here if you could fill these out:

1. Are they more aggressive?
2. How are they bred?
3. Do they have similarites witht a BP?
4. Are they different to care from than BP's?
5. Are they more rare?

yeah if you could help on those I would appreciate it.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[solarshot]

snakes are what their owners make them-- if you handle your blood enough, he'll be fine.. My neighboor has one- they get larger in-terms of weight. This is basic info ratman, you should look at some caresheets online

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[Ratman2050]

Yeah I just checked a care sheet out form NERD it says :

Intermediate. Not an animal for the beginner, a blood python can make a rewarding captive for the intermediate keeper who has successfully kept other species for a length of time. This is a species that requires prior experience & some ability to perceive and understand snake behavior.

So, I will start off with a regular BP.

[solarshot]

bps are awesome to start with.. although I bet with a little work you'd be fine with a blood... maybe try and find one with a good tempermant already...

if you can physically handle a larger snake.. boas are awesome to start with too... bps again are great, (what i started with)

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[MAG_Pythons]

BPs are more forgiving than Boas i love my BPs they are awesome!!

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[solarshot]

oi theres a good piece of advice... bps are pretty forgiving..

however after a year or two of working together..(you might tack on a couple bites) boas can be forgiving too.. even burms! (hopefully my guy will stay as docile! lol)

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[MAG_Pythons]

i would NOT recomend a burm LOL!!!! maybe a BCI but i would go with either a ball or a corn snake of some sort

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

	Corn Snake The Corn Snake or Red Rat Snake (Elaphe guttata) is a species of Rat Snake.

[Smits]

I've read different things about bllood pythons......well pretty buch what you read changes because everyone has different expierences.....some say neonate boas are nippy but calm down......mine have been awesome their whole life.....i read the same thing about bloods, that they will calm down in time.....just depends on the snake and the setup ( now I know nothing of temp/humidity requirements for bloods but I'm sure their not a whole lot different from a boa etc), a snake could possibly become aggressive if it's husbandry conditions are not correct.......a ball would be the best to get to start off with

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[Ratman2050]

Yeah thats what I thought is best, start of with a ball. Progress to a blood python. Later go to morphs, and then breeding.

	Morph A morph is a color or pattern variation that is proven to be genetic. Common morphs include albino, anerythristic, gentically striped, Hypomelanistic, and many others. Morphs also include combinations of simple traits such as "Sunglow" which is Albino and Hypomelanistic. These traits may be recessive traits, co-dominant traits, dominant traits, or created through selective breeding (ie Pastel).

[Smits]

hopefully breeding is years and years down the road, i'm certainly no expert on snakes, my oldest boa is almost 4, and there's no way I would consider breeding anytime soon.....that's just my personal opinion......my roommate has had his BP for a year and he thinks he's ready to start breeding.....what an idiot

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[solarshot]

bps are great to start with... some say corns are best to start with.. BUT... well not in my opinion lol, bps are just naturally so calm if you can keep tabs and handle them enough, but you sound like the person who really will

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[MAG_Pythons]

Originally Posted by solarshot

bps are just naturally so calm if you can keep tabs and handle them enough, but you sound like the person who really will

very true, very true

just make sure you get a well started one from a known breeder

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[JuliusSqueezer]

Blood pythons are like ball pythons only in that they are both nasty little egg laying pythons. It all ends there. Before you put yourself through raising and getting attached to a cute little baby blood python, go find an adult and handle it. I find them ...much like handling a freshly boated large tuna. A big adult will often thrash back and forth like ...well...a big tuna. They are about as pleasant to handle once grown as a lit firecracker...to me anyway. If you like monitor lizards, you might like them. Basically they are like handling a big lizard except no claws. The humidity thing is something you really have to stay on top of. They require high humidity but without wetting the cage down. They are extremely prone to dermatitis (scalerot) and damp cages with any urate dust/feces or other heavy bacterial agents will cause an almost instant outbreak. Humid hides with wet sphagnum moss is probably the best bet. I don't like them near enough for all the bother...so maybe I'm not their best spokesperson...just thought I'd give you a heads up.

[Adrya]

My blood python Jupiter is nearing 4ft and I think he's a sweetheart even though he makes a big fuss with hissing.... though I like fiesty snakes, lol... but he has NEVER bitten me in the two or more years that I've had him. Yet. lol

Blood pythons definitely are girthier than ball pythons and in my opinion can be twice as strong as ball pythons. My boy is a little floppy and feels a bit uncomfortable being handled..but he's solid...I like the big loafs that blood pythons are.. lol But generally I think it's all about getting a good captive bred one and just handling it often. There is still a good chance they can be really aggressive... majority usually are, it depends on the individual snake... but I still say captive bred is best. Males are the best bet if you want to get a blood python... generally because they don't get as huge as females do. They also like a big enough water bowl that they can occasionally soak in.... the bigger they get, the bigger the bowl.

Since I've started Jupiter on large rats he's doubled in size and girth... soon ready for XL rats

So I wouldn't be too discouraged from getting a blood python.... as long as the husbandry needs are met with humidity and all, things should be fine. It's easy to get good humidity for them without making the enclosure dripping with humidity.

Also in the time that I've had Jupiter, he takes the longest time to poop, and he's not the only blood python i've heard of doing that... but even with the humidity just fine and a nice big water bowl to soak in.... I just let him poop whenever.

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[Ratman2050]

Thanks for all the info guys. I think I will stay away from Bloods until I am more experienced.

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[boafiend]

i love ball pythons i have three of them, they have the greatest temperment out of all the snakes in the world and they arent to hard to take care of, keep your temps and humidity right and u will be set!

[Sleepy_FF]

i love my little balkls, cant wait till they are bigger.

they have so much personality!

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[rgd7280]

blood pythons' teeth are not like your average snake.....they have very sharp, needle-like teeth that make it easy for them to grab and hold onto birds......a bite from a big blood python can be rough

i got one in a deal when i bought a rtb and gave it away to a friend...they're pretty but can be aggravating......they get impressive as far as size goes....

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[basslogic4003]

Get a ball python baby from a reputable breeder and care for him/her for at least 2 years, so it can attain some size and so you can attain some valuable experience, and then ask yourself; Do I want a snake that will most definitely get bigger than this, ESPECIALLY in girth, therefore a snake that is far more demanding regarding space and habitat? Do I want a snake that will almost certainly have a baaaaaaad attitude when I first get it, and possibly for its entire life (getting bit...a lot...sucks)? Do I want a snake that is not nearly as forgiving in terms of husbandry errors in humidity and temperature as my ball python? If you answer yes to these questions (as well as many more questions that you will ask yourself), then get a blood and enjoy the rewarding experience of properly keeping one of these majestic creatures. If not, then don't get one! You'll be able to make the decision for yourself once you get some experience with a friendly little ball python under your belt

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[ChadRamsey]

kind like this!