Overall, blood pythons do well in captivity. They are excellent for experienced owners. As a rule, blood pythons are not for snake beginners. These animals require specific conditions and snake knowledge to keep.
Description. Blood pythons stay short – 6 feet mostly. Females can be over 7 feet. The issue is the girth and weight – over 20 pounds. They are incredibly strong. Bloods spend much of their days resting or hiding in caves or burrows that you provide in their habitat.
Care. An adult blood python requires an enclosure from 36”L x 12”W to 48′′L x 24′′W. Hatchlings need smaller, more secure enclosures while growing. Blood pythons outgrow mice and need rats. A non-tippable water bowl is essential for humidity and soaking, which aids shedding.
Temperament. With basic needs met, blood pythons have calm dispositions. They can form bonds through careful, regular handling. Today’s pets are mostly captive bred, which are calmer than wild caught.
Choosing. Look for plump, solid, and alert snakes. Avoid bony, wrinkled and dimpled scales. Some noise is normal but gurgling may signal respiratory infection. Juveniles over a few months old are best.
Threats. Blood pythons get killed for skins – 10,000 a year. Novice owners also threaten them through improper care. They aren’t endangered but palm oil plantations they live in harm other species.
I prefer blood pythons over ball pythons because they are impressive and uncommon pets. Please tell me more about their care as sources are limited. Thank you for answering!
Blood pythons are known for being nippy, hissing, and getting cage aggressive. Their bite reflex is very strong. Their reputation comes from wild-caught specimens. Captive-bred blood pythons aren’t anywhere close to as defensive. Most blood pythons give plenty of warning before a bite. With proper care and attention, you can help your pet snake become a relaxed companion.
How aggressive are blood pythons?
Blood python temperament is largely related to their shedding process and environment – both require regular maintenance from an attentive owner.
The blood python’s habitat is found in Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, Thailand, and on smaller islands. Blood pythons prey on small mammals and birds. The vast majority of the snake’s diet is rodents. They get between four and six feet long. Their name comes from the blood red markings on their skin.
Blood pythons typically become sexually mature at 2-4 years old. In the wild blood pythons show aggressive behavior. Captive-bred pythons become more docile when handled young. They spend time in water hunting. Blood pythons have distinct caging needs – escape-proof and stable.
Their teeth are sharp so they create small puncture wounds. Their bite hurts more than other snakes. They frequently don’t let go so can cause damage. Their bite reflex is very strong, and jaws too. However their reputation is from wild-caught ones.
Throughout the 20th century, blood pythons were a skin trade target in Malaysia and Sumatra. The Blood Python is a medium, heavy bodied snake. They are non-venomous, not exceeding 5-6 feet usually. Their scientific name is Python Brongersmai. They are one of three Short-Tailed Python species.
How big can blood python get?
Blood pythons are a large species, reaching 4 to 6 feet on average when mature. Females are bigger than males. By five years, a female grows as long as six feet. Gender affects size.
These pythons vary widely in price. Normal ones start around $100. Specialty morphs cost thousands.
Most blood pythons hatch brown or tan. Those with the blood red color phase change prior to maturity over three years.
An adult blood python needs an enclosure from 36” to 48” long.
Females range from 4 to 6 feet long. Some reach 50 pounds, but 30 pounds is more typical. Males reach up to six feet and 35 pounds.
While not the longest in captivity, Burmese pythons are the biggest snakes by weight, reaching 12-15 feet and 255 pounds.
Blood pythons reach up to 8 feet long, with females slightly larger. Most captive blood pythons range from 4 to 6 feet. They have a robust body compared to length. Females reach 4 inches in diameter and 40 pounds in weight.
Genetics, diet and environment influence blood python growth rate. In their first year, they grow one to two feet long. Their growth slows after maturity.
Provide an appropriately-sized enclosure with hiding spots and proper temperature and humidity. Feed them appropriately based on age and size. Monitor them for illness or injury.
Blood pythons are known for aggression. Their bites can hurt more than other pythons due to their sharp teeth. Despite this, they can make good pets with proper care and handling.
Can you handle a blood python?
Blood pythons can be handled and tamed with patience and consistency from a young age. When handling a blood python, support their body and avoid sudden movements. Female blood pythons must be enclosed with a male for reproduction. Blood pythons are easy to handle if trained well. You need to read their body language. Considering their size, blood pythons can be very well behaved. Blood pythons don’t require UVB lighting but benefit from natural light. Blood pythons can grow up to 6 feet long. Blood pythons can make great pets for experienced owners.
Prior to adulthood, blood pythons undergo a gradual color change. We enjoy recording blood pythons’ color changes over the years. Borneo short-tailed pythons vary from dark coffee brown to pale tan. There are stripes and “Ultra-breits” color morphs.
Blood pythons have heavily muscled, wedge-shaped heads. Blood pythons can live over 20 years in captivity.
Adults up to 4 feet do well in a 36 by 18 inch tank. If over 4 feet, a wider or longer enclosure is needed. Adult blood pythons may only need one hide. Blood pythons are not generally aggressive.
Blood pythons have a muscular build and short tail. They have a reddish-brown base color and irregular dark blotches with outlines. The underside is cream or off-white. They have small head scales and larger body scales. Blood pythons are found in marshy areas and ambush their prey, constricting it.
Blood pythons can be nice, docile pets. With proper care, breeding and consistent temperature regulation, blood pythons can become calm pets.