I've been thinking...

[RhacBreeder]

of getting a blood. I saw on NERD's care sheet that I should have experience in keeping other species for a length of time....and ability to perceive and understand snake behavior. I used to take care of my friends ball python for him (he didn't so I had to until it found a good home I couldn't keep him). After a short while I could tell if the snake was in an exploring mood, calm mood, or just plain moody. It was pretty easy to tell once I opened his cage. I also have a striped king that is really easy to read. I know when she is hungry (that's actually an easy one cuzz it's ALWAYS!) and can pretty much tell how she is going to act when I take her out. I also keep prime temps for all of my animals so that isn't an issue. I have no problem handling medium sized snakes (boas, balls). I'm not trying to make this a list of my "qualifications" but I also don't want to get a snake that is hard to handle. Basically I would like to know how much experience is "enough" to keep a blood or stp?

[Kitt]

It sounds like "enough" to me, though I'm no expert . . . I've got three short-tails right now, and I wouldn't really call them "difficult" snakes. I think that you just have to be more attentive to their needs, and not slack with husbandry requirements -- they will tend to go off feed easier than a Burm, for example, if they are stressed. I find my STs very easy to "read;" I think pythons project their intentions pretty well.

...Hope this helps; they're really awesome snakes, and VERY addicting once you get into them!!

[Misskiwi67]

I think you'll be fine but I recommend that you get a CB baby. A moody wild caught might get you in over your head, but as long as you're devoted to the care of your animals, and know what you're getting into, you should be fine even with that.

Have your housing situations changed since you were unable to keep the ball python?? Just curious, it seems odd that you can have a kingsnake but not adopt your friends ball...

All I had before I got my blood was a kenyan sand boa, and things aren't a whole lot different. She's just bigger, and her setup is more elaborate to make sure she has the proper environment.

[RhacBreeder]

My friend had that ball about three years ago and I had NO living situation. That's why I was at his house most of the time and got to take care of it. He ended up giving it to a local rescue just after he and I had a fall out. As for the animal I chose it will def. be CB from NERD. I emailed Kara about one of the males on her sbp page.

[Misskiwi67]

Sounds like you're doing everything right to me!!! Glad to have your here!