Considering a Blood Python.

[Carinata]

First, I realize "Mean" isn't a good term to use. That's why I put it in quotes. I didn't feel much like hunting down the correct term.

Second, I'm not trying to start an argument with you. I'm trying to put things into perspective for you. Or something... I think "help you not make the INFORMED decision" may be a better way of putting it. =P

Someone earlier mentioned to be careful who you take advice from--not every breeder is going to be honest with you.. Way too many are just out to make a sale. This is very good advice, IMO. Another one of those things that you should be thinking about. Maybe mention, when you call these breeders, that you aren't (necessarily) looking to buy a blood from them, you just want info.

I completely understand getting out of the "ordinary". There have been many times that I've thought about getting out of corn snakes in lieu of something less "common". I always get a nice reminder of why I chose that species in the first place, though.

I would also like to add that you can't predict what college is going to be like. You certainly can't predict if you're going to have enough time and patience to care for ALL your exotic, needy snakes (especially keeping up with such things as blood pythons). Nor can you predict if your parents will still be as willing to accommodate you when you get into college as they say they will be now. Plus, you have to keep in mind that your brother "handling partner" isn't going to be at your disposal forever... He'll be going to college, what, one year after you? What if he goes out of state? Who will help you then?

Again, I'm not trying to start an argument, I'm just trying to point out some facts/scenarios that you may not have considered already.

I completely understand Taylor. I am still pondering this. I amy actually end up going for something different. November is a while away. I know I am getting another herald (Don't argue with me on that one LMFAO!) I may end up going for a high end corn morph or I may get the blood.

 

[The_Thunderer]

How big do bloods get?

Here's a link to an information sheet on them... Notice at the very bottom?

Sumatran Blood Pythons are large snakes – growing to an average of six feet long and topping off at around nine feet. Although they are not usually seen growing larger than seven feet, it is possible to obtain a larger size in captivity, so be warned. The Sumatra Blood Python is an awe-inspiring snake, one that will certainly capture the imaginations of you and your guests. If you aren't an experienced snake keeper, you may want to try an easier, more predictable species at first; the Sumatra Blood Python is a very large, and often aggressive snake that should only be kept by experienced hobbyists. You will want to raise this one from childhood. Capturing one or purchasing one that has lived in the wild is a bad idea, as the snakes may be excessively unhealthy or aggressive. If you get a baby, and raise it from birth, it'll be more likely to become handleable and get used to you than one taken from the wild.

Now, David, you may be "an experienced keeper". But I really don't know what all the rush is about.

 

[Carinata]

That sheet explains the sumatra local. The Malaysian is much differnt as far as temperments go

 

[Suzy]

Here's a link to an information sheet on them... Notice at the very bottom?

Now, David, you may be "an experienced keeper". But I really don't know what all the rush is about.

Keeping the same theme of that, here's another care sheet. Something that stuck out to me:

Size
Hatchlings approximately 12 - 16"+/-. Females average 4'- 6', males average 3' - 5' adult size. Maximum reported size is around 10 feet, although 8'+ specimens are considered EXTREMELY large. Blood pythons are heavy, robust snakes that may exceed 30 pounds in weight as mature adults.

That is one big snake!

 

[Carinata]

There is no rush. I am not running out now and getting this animal. I am waiting until November until I have thought it through and made a final choice. By that time school will hae gone through 1 quarter and I can make a better choice then

 

[Carinata]

Keeping the same theme of that, here's another care sheet. Something that stuck out to me:



That is one big snake!

That is a large snake!

 

[Floof]

I have had worst luck with BCIs than Bloods. Let me tell you a story. At a show once I purchased a special pass t get in to the show and have dinner before it opened the next day. Now I was at the blood python peoples table and asked me if I wanted to help them unload so I got to unload an adult male blood and a bunch of bbies. All were very docile and I just had a blast working with them. One of the other vendors asked me if I wanted to see some really cool Boas. They Snakes went nuts when he pulled them out of the deli cups. The bloods were 100% nicer.

Hatchling boas, or adults? That's one heck of an experience, though! Maybe they just didn't like you... I've had excellent luck with both my boas. They don't get handled a whole lot... Maybe one or two times a month, not counting removal from their enclosures for feeding (every 10-14 days), and the only time I've ever been nervous about one of them was once when Jekyll decided to coil up and "hunt" my hand from his climbing branch while I put his hide back where it belonged.

The thing you have to keep in mind are those were just two vendors. If you think about it, it's completely possible that the Blood people handle their snakes frequently, and the Boa people don't. Just putting a scenario to you, of course!

Bloods get up to 9 foot but a blood over 7 foot is rare. Male get much smaller around 4 foot

Geeze, what fatties! David, I honestly haven't done a crap load of research on Bloods. I did a bit of reading up on them once (I really wanted a rack system that came with about a dozen high-quality snakes for a good price, but one of them was a blood), but dropped it once I figured out a female can get 40 lbs with a nasty temperament. Even still, with that kind of mass, 4 foot is still huge!

I completely understand Taylor. I am still pondering this. I amy actually end up going for something different. November is a while away. I know I am getting another herald (Don't argue with me on that one LMFAO!) I may end up going for a high end corn morph or I may get the blood.

I hope you do go for something more reasonable. I really, really hope, for your sake and the snakes', that you hold off on the blood until you're an adult with a stable lifestyle. Thank you for listening to me, though, and being humble--you've certainly made a major improvement!

Go for the corn morph! Get something high-end that you haven't had before... A good-quality, high-end corn morph can be just as "exotic" as any blood, and you KNOW it'll stay small and tame!

 

[TxMomto4]

Bloods get up to 9 foot but a blood over 7 foot is rare. Male get much smaller around 4 foot

9 ft... UGH! 4ft doesn't seem bad at all minus how wide they get. I guess the only thing I would ask you to think of is:

Is this a snake that you plan on having for life? In two of the links you posted it said that bloods can live "Over 20 Years But Much More In Captivity". What could happen in 20 - 30 years? That is a long commitment. I know you could just sell him, but with temperamental animals, they get use to their handlers and don't switch well. I'm NOT saying to NOT get one as that is up to your parents. I'm just asking you to consider the snake and if you truly believe that you will be able to keep a snake for 30 years. You'll be 45. old.............

 

[Carinata]

You know what Taylor you have just about convinced me. Mabye I do need to hold off on that blood and see how this entire school year goes. Mabye instead of a blood I could pick up 2 or 3 corns! I wonder what high range morphs would be cool to get! Thank you for helping me come to my senses!

 

[Carinata]

9 ft... UGH! 4ft doesn't seem bad at all minus how wide they get. I guess the only thing I would ask you to think of is:

Is this a snake that you plan on having for life? In two of the links you posted it said that bloods can live "Over 20 Years But Much More In Captivity". What could happen in 20 - 30 years? That is a long commitment. I know you could just sell him, but with temperamental animals, they get use to their handlers and don't switch well. I'm NOT saying to NOT get one as that is up to your parents. I'm just asking you to consider the snake and if you truly believe that you will be able to keep a snake for 30 years. You'll be 45. old.............

Let me tell you somthing this hobby is like the mafia once your in your in for life!

 

[TxMomto4]

Let me tell you somthing this hobby is like the mafia once your in your in for life!

LOL. This is truly addicting, but I can tell you that life has many unexpected twists and turns. You can not honestly say where you will be in 20 - 30 years, nor can I, but at my age and in the stable state my life is, I have a very good idea where I will be at. Mine will be almost the same it is now, but my kids will be grown (my husband and I will hopefully OWN our home) and my animals will be my new kids! LOL LOL

If you truly want a blood, it might be wise to wait until you get done with college or at least a couple years of it. That way, you know where your life is headed. Again, this is completely up to your and your parents and if they are willing to help you, then no one will stand in your way.

 

[Floof]

You know what Taylor you have just about convinced me. Mabye I do need to hold off on that blood and see how this entire school year goes. Mabye instead of a blood I could pick up 2 or 3 corns! I wonder what high range morphs would be cool to get! Thank you for helping me come to my senses!

Good! I'm glad I was able to help you make the proper decision. You'll have plenty of time for bloods when you get out of college... And thank you, David, for being so gracious and sensible! I'm sure you'll be glad you waited. =)

I can't wait to see what lovely corn morphs you pick up!

 

[Carinata]

Well I don't know what morphs to get!

 

[Carinata]

I am looking at an amber and a lavender

 

[TxMomto4]

I am looking at an amber and a lavender

I was just going to say a lavender morph! They are my personal favorite that my husband will never let me get due to cost!! LOL Ambers are lovely too!

 

[Carinata]

Yea. I am gonna hold of the the blood. it is to much work. I got my schedual and I have 4 AP classes this year!

 

[Floof]

I am looking at an amber and a lavender

Hypo lavender! And what about Golddust, if you like Caramel? .. That last one is "just me", though--I've become obsessed with Ultramel lately, lol! =)

Maybe some Bloodred morphs?

 

[tricksterpup]

David,
You have heard it from me before and the answer is no, you are not ready for this animal. I own one. Yes, I actually have one of these beautiful creatures adn she is by far my most difficult snake to work with. I own a variety of pythons here and she is a PITA. She did not eat for me when I first got her for about 5 months. I was a nervous reck. It was my husbandry. Plus they are not the easiest snake to keep due to temper and her requirements. I got the handle on things now, and do expect her to get very big and round. I mean she will be as round as my adult burm but at 6-7 feet. There are records of some females reaching 9.

There was another Teenager here who got one, I heard he promptly got rid of it. He dealt with boas and other pythons but didnt realize what he was getting into with a Blood. These are not the snake for you at this time in your life. Wait until after college and you have your own place. They get BIG, not long but BIG. The only reason I also have her is due to the fact I also keep a large adult burm. I know how to handle large thick snakes of this caliber.

I am also saying this for all the other reasons we have told you to back off slowly on your collection.

If you get any boid, get a hog island boa or a Nic boa.. or even a childrens or spotted pythons. But hold off on the larger boids until you have your own place and making your own money. I know its hard to not get what you want right now but you gotta wait until the timing is right for a snake like this. You only have little snakes, nothing close to being as big as this.. Like I said get yourself a nice hog island, about the same price and more manageable in the long run, in size and in requirements.

Here is a picture of Mary from last year.

 

[Carinata]

Ya know what I bet for the price of the blood I could get a Granite corn and mabye a low range like an okeetee or somthing small. I looked at it averge 100 for the granite and 30 for the okeetee could get two easy to maintain docile snakes for the price on one big blood python! Genius!

 

[Carinata]

David,
You have heard it from me before and the answer is no, you are not ready for this animal. I own one. Yes, I actually have one of these beautiful creatures adn she is by far my most difficult snake to work with. I own a variety of pythons here and she is a PITA. She did not eat for me when I first got her for about 5 months. I was a nervous reck. It was my husbandry. Plus they are not the easiest snake to keep due to temper and her requirements. I got the handle on things now, and do expect her to get very big and round. I mean she will be as round as my adult burm but at 6-7 feet. There are records of some females reaching 9.

There was another Teenager here who got one, I heard he promptly got rid of it. He dealt with boas and other pythons but didnt realize what he was getting into with a Blood. These are not the snake for you at this time in your life. Wait until after college and you have your own place. They get BIG, not long but BIG. The only reason I also have her is due to the fact I also keep a large adult burm. I know how to handle large thick snakes of this caliber.

I am also saying this for all the other reasons we have told you to back off slowly on your collection.

If you get any boid, get a hog island boa or a Nic boa.. or even a childrens or spotted pythons. But hold off on the larger boids until you have your own place and making your own money. I know its hard to not get what you want right now but you gotta wait until the timing is right for a snake like this. You only have little snakes, nothing close to being as big as this.. Like I said get yourself a nice hog island, about the same price and more manageable in the long run, in size and in requirements.

Here is a picture of Mary from last year.

Damn Jim. I am not getting one! Floof made me change my mind! I am getting a cutie pie Granite (anery Blood) instead!