Experience?

[kaa]

What is the snake experience requierd for geting a blood?

[Hennek]

I'm definitely not an expert and don't profess to be one, but honestly I don't find them that difficult. Maybe it's because I've kept reef tanks and this is a cake walk compared to that. Feed it, clean it, heat it, and house it properly...that's about it. Just remember that it is going to be a 4-6' animal in a couple years...not huge, but it's no corn snake.

Matt

[Chris_B]

I'm not an expert either, but IMO, I think where experience comes in handy with Bloods is just understanding snake behavior and being able to judge the snake. Most of mine are really sweet most of the time, but I still keep a pretty close eye on them when I'm handling them. My first Blood was VERY defensive when I first got her, and she would strike at anything that moved anywhere near her. If that was my first snake I would have either gotten rid of it or just never gotten anywhere near her if I didn't have to. But with some careful handling and understanding why she was so defensive, we were good friends after about a week of me working with her. She's still a little huffy till you get her out of the cage, but then she's real sweet. I haven't been bitten by any of my Bloods/short-tails yet because they give me lots of subtle clues if I'm doing something they don't like, but I wouldn't feel comfortable handing them over to one of my friends who doesn't keep snakes. Just my 2 cents. -chris-

[borneoblood151]

Hey,
I think that blood attitude is best described as a freight train with brake problems, however, bloods should be judged as individuals and not bunched together into one big nasty conglomerate. I've only had one nasty blood in my days and even he has been quite the pussy cat as an adult. Get as much information about the care and husbandry of bloods and short-tails and work out the kinks later once you have procured one and tweak the needs as you go. If you've had other herp (snakes) experience then I would say go for it. Attitudes aside, they are by far my favorites of the pythons and you don't get any better than this group. And don't believe everything you read about the dreaded blood attitude. We're talking captive borns here and not incorrigible imports. Talk to Kara from Nerd and get her input and I'm sure she would be happy to make suggestions. Where are you located?
-Angel

[CherryFive]

Its almost as if I wished they were more aggressive.

[KLG]

Its almost as if I wished they were more aggressive.

Heh...I've got a Bangka female with your name on her!!!!

[kaa]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I'm still trying to convince my mom to let me get one.
I am located in Illinois borneoblood51.

[kaa]

my snake experience is 3 balls and 2 boas

[Chris_B]

You should have no problem moving into Bloods if you've had other snakes before. I had only kept a few Balls before I got into Bloods. Like it was said before just read up on them as much as you can before you get one. A word of advice, get the cage set up and make sure your temps and humidity are good and stable before you get the snake. Balls and Boas are a little more forgiving than Bloods in that area and you don't want to end up with a sick snake. -chris-

[jordanm]

Yes, the reason people say bloods need more experienced keepers is because you need to know how to set up a cage and maintain things at a constant level. Bloods can get sick very easily if not kept in the right conditions, but as long as you take proper care of them they grow up to become magnificent animals. A very rewarding snake if you ask me.

[kaa]

do bloods eat better than balls and what is a good size cage for a baby, also what size of snake should i start out with, like a baby or sub-adult, i have tuns of questions

[jordanm]

Bloods can get a ferocious appetite as they start growing and can become very agressive feeders. If you get a baby I would put it in a rubbermaid shoebox container. Bloods like small tight spaces especially as youngins. What size you get is up to you. A sub-adult would probably be a more forgiving to conditions than a baby but if you get a mean sub it would be more difficult to get it to settle down.

[kaa]

know of any good ways of convincing a mom into leting me get one

[jordanm]

That I can't help you with, just got out of college and moved back in with the rents myself... I'm figuring out how to sneak in 7 adults without them noticing..

[Chris_B]

LOL I'm in college living at home and my parents just said no more snakes while I'm living here. So I'm at 7 for the time being which is cool with me. -chris-

[KLG]

Just get a good rack system & start hiding them in there. It's not like your folks are going to go opening cages on you. ;)


(j/k...a little).

I go through the same thing every year trying to convince Kev why I "just have to keep this one!!!" (just FYI - one = 10 in blood python addiction).

K~

[kaa]

one probblem i don't have the money for a rack

[jordanm]

Racks are good for sneaking snakes in... I'm very picking about keeping all my stuff in their own cages though so that makes it harder. You can build a rack for cheaper than you think... Last one I did was a 6 slot juvie and I think it was like $70 or so for materials for the actual rack shelve.. not including heat and thermostats rubbermaids hides etc...

[Hennek]

A little here, a little there and the rack is yours! Just give up eating out or going out to the movies for a couple months and I'll bet you will almost have enough cash for one.

[kaa]

my mom said that we can talk about me geting a blood we will probably talk tomarow

[kaa]

looks like i will be geting one in september, anybody have pics of their blood cages