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blood python temperment info please :)

J

jane_bukowski

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hi! my boyfriend and i are interested in getting a blood python, but we have found some conflicting information concerning their temperment. we'd like to know if they make good 'pet' snakes- how well they tolerate being handled, whether we could bring them to reptile shows,etc. some sources say yes, they are docile, some say that they are 'testy'. if anyone could offer any info based on personal experience with these snakes, we'd really appreciate it. Also, if anyone could recommend any snakes of similar size that are more 'handleable', this would also be appreciated. thanks very much! :)
 
it depends

jane_bukowski said:
hi! my boyfriend and i are interested in getting a blood python, but we have found some conflicting information concerning their temperment. we'd like to know if they make good 'pet' snakes- how well they tolerate being handled, whether we could bring them to reptile shows,etc. some sources say yes, they are docile, some say that they are 'testy'. if anyone could offer any info based on personal experience with these snakes, we'd really appreciate it. Also, if anyone could recommend any snakes of similar size that are more 'handleable', this would also be appreciated. thanks very much! :)
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sorry to start off with such a non commital statement, but its true. Which blood you choose can make a difference: Malaysians, Bangkas, Sumatrans, Borneos. Then comes the question of whether you are planning to purchase a hatchling or an older specimen.
That said, let's see if I can help you here. There are no snakes of similar size (unless you want a gaboon viper). Bloods are heavier bodied than any other non venomous snake of similar length. If you are planning on purchasing an older animal (since you mentioned shows), you may have a harder time finding a handleable one. I mentioned some of the different bloods available. Of those, Malaysians are typically the worst/hardest to tame, with even LTCs and frequently CBs remaining aggressive. Bangkas are next, then Sumatrans and Borneos (Keep in mind that these are generalizations, and individual behavior may vary. I keep Bankas - imports - and there is one that tolerates handling well, 2 that will tolerate minimal contact, 1 unpredictable, and 2 that would bite the pi$$ out of me for even thinking about touching them.)
If you are going with a baby, purchasing a CB vs CH will improve your odds of ending up with a nice workable snake. I would recommend Sumatran or Borneo - depending on what characteristics you are looking for. Sumatrans are generally larger and (IMO) better colored.
So, as I said - it depends. Bloods can range from downright nasty to incredibly tame. Starting with a CBB improves your chances of the latter. If you opt for other tame pythons - pick a size and color, we'll point you in the right direction.
 
Mr Moore said it well. I was intersted in them myself for a time. It was when I went to buy one and saw its little temper that turned me off. This little guy(for the time being) tried to bite anything that moved, when it jumped out of my hands to bite my wife who was about 4 feet from me, I gently put him back and moved to something else.

If you do decide to buy one I would take Mr Moore's advice on the Sumatran or Boreno Blood. With a young blood you have an oportunity to tame them down before they get to adult size. CB is the way to go.
 
Oh - one other thing. If you are interested in blood pythons, I urge you not to be swayed by all the negative press. Most of the bad "reputations" you hear about are based on people's experiences with wild caught adults. Keep in mind that the large scale and extensive captive breeding that we see today is still relatively new. The increased knowledge base and husbandry improvements that are seen year after year serve to keep our captives healthier and improve the quality of available stock. You chose blood pythons for a reason, so take your time and find the snake you want. A little extra effort now is worth it for the years of happiness you will get from making a good choice. If I can be of any more help, please let me know
 
I agree with Harold, my experience was probably with a wild blood, though I was told otherwise. The store I was at is one that has proved to me that I cannot trust. Do not be persuaded by me, if that little guy was tame I would have bought him and be saying otherwise. Take your time and you will find just the right blood python for you.
 
I must be lucky

I have a juvinile male that I bought almost a year ago. I do not handle him every day. But, of all my snakes this is the most layed back. He doesn't mind being handled and he never acts timid or anxious about it. He is, unfortunately the stinkiest snake I have. When he has a BM you know it. His cage is cleaned out more than once a week. Sometimes it's been more than once a day. Still, we love him. I have a Cal King with an evil temperment though. It shoots S**t and strikes at everything in its vicinity. It was "cute" when it was little. But that wore off pretty quickly. I don't think it is very smart because this behavior remains unmodified. You'd think it would come to associate me as the Gravy Train like the others after awhile and look forward to seeing me poke my face in. Interesting.
 

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coyote said:
I have a juvinile male that I bought almost a year ago. I do not handle him every day. But, of all my snakes this is the most layed back. He doesn't mind being handled and he never acts timid or anxious about it. He is, unfortunately the stinkiest snake I have. When he has a BM you know it. His cage is cleaned out more than once a week. Sometimes it's been more than once a day. Still, we love him. I have a Cal King with an evil temperment though. It shoots S**t and strikes at everything in its vicinity. It was "cute" when it was little. But that wore off pretty quickly. I don't think it is very smart because this behavior remains unmodified. You'd think it would come to associate me as the Gravy Train like the others after awhile and look forward to seeing me poke my face in. Interesting.
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:rofl: That's too funny!

I almost bought one at a reptile show last weekend. I think they are beautiful! But I also wanted to do more research on them. I just can't bear owning an animal that will turn around and nail me for no reason..
I would love to get my hands on one like yours..where did you get her from? Let me know if you want to sell her..stinky poop and all,,,
Michele
 
Glad you like him

South Dixie Dragons said:
:rofl: That's too funny!

I almost bought one at a reptile show last weekend. I think they are beautiful! But I also wanted to do more research on them. I just can't bear owning an animal that will turn around and nail me for no reason..
I would love to get my hands on one like yours..where did you get her from? Let me know if you want to sell her..stinky poop and all,,,
Michele
Click to expand...

He is not for sale. Like I said in the post title, I guess I got lucky. I am actually looking for just the right female to pair him with. I did find one that has a much better stripe. The striping is the characteristic I want to reproduce. I bought him off ReptiBid (ReptileAuction.com now).
 
South Dixie Dragons said:
I almost bought one at a reptile show last weekend. I think they are beautiful! But I also wanted to do more research on them. I just can't bear owning an animal that will turn around and nail me for no reason..Michele
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Michele - there are plenty of good-tempered bloods out there. Many babies start out on the defensive/aggressive side, but that is true with many snakes (remember, they are tiny and anything BIG might eat them).
 
hhmoore said:
Michele - there are plenty of good-tempered bloods out there. Many babies start out on the defensive/aggressive side, but that is true with many snakes (remember, they are tiny and anything BIG might eat them).
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Right..I assumed that as babies they would be a little snappy like a lot of snakes are, but I have heard so many conflicting opinions of their temperment. Just wanted to get the facts before I bought one..or two. I am glad someone posted this thread because this obviously is a topic that is of great interest to me as well..
need to research morphs as well..
 
DUDE!!(say it slow and accent the "U) Those darn California surfer types thinking they know everything, are everywhere. I just can't seem to get rid of them, they are in stores, at the movies, the gas stations, in bank, and restaurants, sometimes I think they.......

Oh, wait. I live in San Diego, duh!


:dunce: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
 
Junkyard said:
DUDE!!(say it slow and accent the "U) Those darn California surfer types thinking they know everything, are everywhere. I just can't seem to get rid of them, they are in stores, at the movies, the gas stations, in bank, and restaurants, sometimes I think they.......

Oh, wait. I live in San Diego, duh!


:dunce: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
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:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: No offense to you Junkyard!! I wasn't actually referring to the fact that he was from Ca. but the fact that he is 19 years old..You know I thought the California surfer dude bit went out with my generation X back in the 80's and the Fat Times At Ridgemont High days?? guess not..DUDE!!
 
Dude!! Ahh! I hate surfer types!! And I hate CA. :)

Sorry if I came across as "know it all", that was not my intention in any sense.
I have had many many blood pythons, some biters, some not, some underfed, some overweight, and I just dont see them as a challenge to rear or to bring back to health. The attitude is something that could use some improvement in specific animals, but my feeling stems from my initial readings..."blood pythons require special care". Having maintained saltwater for a brief period I found that my first blood python was absolutely nothing.

I just got some albino blood pythons, and its actually quite funny. One is very light colored and friendly. The other is much more red in coloration and has a fiery temper to match! The bites come and go but the point is one must get used to that. Then everything becomes a tangerine rose.
 
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