Blood Python questions.

Voodoo · #1 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 12:50 AM

Blood Python/Short-tail Pythons, whatever.

I've been doing a bunch of research on how to care for them (since I plan on getting one in the next few months), and here's what I can't figure out.

Humidity - 60% or 90%? I've read humidity from anywhere in between those. So, which is it?

Temperment - Tameable or not? I've read they're fairly docile until about 2 y/o, then turn mean, UNLESS you handle them gobs when they're younger. Or are they always biters?

Length - Up to 6' or up to 10'? Again, I've read both.

Good god, there's a lot of different info out on these guys.

And I'm looking into a Borneo Short Tail. I'd like a Blood, but they's not cheap, and harder to find.
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Fyre · #2 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 01:18 AM

uhmmmm as far as biters, not really. they have their "testy" days same as anything else. my friend has gone with the 60% humidity or less i think not sure , and the snake has done well. the only thing with these guys is soaking. once a week throw em in a tub on some heat tape fill it a little bit with warm water and let em soak fer an hour or so. and you should be set.
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jpaulson · #3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 01:51 AM

Humidity needs to be higher than that of other boids and pythons. What I did to raise the humidity was to take a plastic tote, cut a hole in the side, then put spaghnum moss in there. Place on the hot side, under the UTH. Keeping the lid on keeps the moisture inside. I can achieve about 90 to 95 percent humidity. My STP goes in and out of it when he feels like it. Half the time he stays in, the rest out. He chooses.

On to temperment...They are tamable, but these species are known to be and stay alittle nippy. Mine is sweet as can be, but still hisses like a devil when getting him out. So, yes, they are tamable, but be prepared to get nipped some at first. I think mine is an exception.

Length is usually no more than 6'. Average is 4' to 5', with females getting larger then males. I have heard of a few that have achieved 8', but it is rare.

Here is a pic of mine Fred
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jpaulson · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 02:04 AM

Fyre, if you can maintain the right humidity (and 60% is too low), then you should not have to soak them. I am a firm believer that you should only force a soak if absolutely necessary. Tends to stress them out a little.

Yes, some are nippy, others are not. They can be worked with. But, generally, they are not as "tame" as a BCI. They are not recommended as a first time snake owner, part because of thier disposition, and the fact that they get stout. Not a long snake, but eventually get a large girth, similar to a burm girth.

They can make terrific pets, it just takes some work in handling and husbandry. They are also more prone to RI's then other pythons.

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BadKarma · #5 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 02:05 AM

Voodoo we keep the little female I was telling you about at about 75% humidity. Like someone said weekly soakings help. They also help to tame the animal. You can get it used to you while it soaks. I've done this with tempermental burms as well. They also benefit from being misted every couple of days. They tend to eat like little piggies. I've seen them get alittle over 6' but usually that's about all they get. You mentioned price and now they're not cheap. But I think that they're worth it. The only reason we're getting out of them is that we have to many other projects at the present we're concentrating on. We have to successfully breed what we have before we start a new project(new rule) so the bloods have to wait. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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Voodoo · #6 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 02:08 AM

Okay, so having a humidity box and keeping humidity at, like, 70% in the rest of the cage is good enough?

I read somewhere on this site a while ago that someone had a real neat cage setup. I don't remember the specifics, but it was, like, a layer of big rocks on the bottom of an aquarium, with water going halfway up the rocks, then plywood or something with holes drilled in it to let humidity up, with a layer of that reptile carpet for the snake to lay on. That way, there's humidity, but not substrate moisture.

Er?
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Fyre · #7 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 02:15 AM

http://www.proexotics.com/care_blood.html thats the setup used by pro exotics. they know blood pythons. check it out.
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jpaulson · #8 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 02:17 AM

The problem with that type of set-up is cleaning issues. It is much easier to take a tote out of the cage and clean it, then the whole bottom of the tank. Blood's also like to burrow, so even though you have a nice dry substrate on top, he will soon dig around and pull up the wet. They love to make messes. Keeping the box doubles as a source for humidity, as well as an excellent hide.

Karma, are you getting rid of any of your females? I am looking for one for my male.
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BadKarma · #9 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 02:17 AM

I forgot to mention that Pro Exotics did a great article on blood pythons a month or so back. Give me a minute or so and I'll dig it up from my archive for you so you know what month. Also when you mist I recommend you use the hottest watter YOU CAN GET FROM THE SINK. Put it in a spray bottle and mist over the top of them, not directly on them. It will be significantly cooler when it hits them. Not so cold as to shock them. They don't get as irrate about being misted this way. They will also drink a lot of the drops as they fall on them and off the tank, hides ect. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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Voodoo · #10 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 02:23 AM

I'll fight yopu for the female, J, lol.

Thanks for the Pro-Exotics link!
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BadKarma · #11 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 02:24 AM

Ok found the issue for you it is January's issue of Reptiles Mag.
Yes J we are selling a small female I'm not sure of her size. I would have to ask Joe. Haven't seen her for a couple months, stuck on post. We got her last year sometime as a yearling. She's still fairly small, maybe a couple feet. I believe we got her from Hiss and Things, but I'll have to verify that with Joe for sure. I believe there is a pic of her in our photogallery. I don't believe it's in the forsale section though. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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Voodoo · #12 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 02:34 AM

Joe's really bad about Emailing me back. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] I Emailed him several days ago asking the price of the Borneo, and no reply. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img]

I'm still looking to buy a Borneo, anyway. I just didn't want to drive to Indy to maybe find one.
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BadKarma · #13 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 02:48 AM

Sorry about Joe not getting back with you. He's having serious computer problems. He's not recieving any emails. To include mine. We just realised this today. UGH. Anyway here's a link to the pic
http://photo.redtailboa.net/albuo87/...5300003?full=1

[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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BadKarma · #14 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 03:41 AM

Okay after serious deliberations....
Voodoo she's yours. Like we said you'll see her when it warms up a bit and you get moved. JD [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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joerissa · #15 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 04:37 AM

Hey Voodoo
Not sure what happend but I did reply back. I sent it to VoodooDragon@trust-me.com Any- way, I will cut and paste the email we received from you and my reply back. Sorry for the hassle but I wanted to clear it up.

----- Original Message -----
From: Irish
Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 12:09 PM
To: Joerissa@msn.com
Subject: Borneo and RTBs

So . . .

1.How much are you asking for the Borneo?
2. Why are you getting rid of her?
3. How big is she?

4. How much for the RTB babies?

5. Prices include shipping or not? If not, how much does shipping usually
run?

Danke!

-Voodoo, aka Irish

----- Original Message -----
From: KIRBY Marissa & Joe
Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 8:05 PM
To: Irish
Subject: Re: Borneo and RTBs

Hey Voodoo

We are asking $125.00 for the Borneo Blood. She is a really nice animal but she does have the blood python temperment. She is about a year old and a little over a foot in length. She eats great on F/T and never refuses a meal. We planned on starting a Blood breeding group but have since changed direction and need that extra cage. LOL We are asking $80.00 each for the RTBs They are 9 months old and very well started, eating great on F/T as well. We still have males and females available. The prices do not include shipping but would run anywhere from $40-$60 depending on where you are from us. If you order 2 or more animals we can pack them together for 1 shipping price. I am adding a pic of the blood and you can see the Boas at the link below. If you have any more questions you can email us joerissa@msn.com or you can give us a call (417)888-0368 Thanks for your time.
Joe and Marissa

http://photo.redtailboa.net/albuo52

Anyway hope this helps [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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