Malaysian Blood for a first pet snake?

jheane14 · 04-25-12, 12:31 AM

Hi guys, i recently got a 2.5ft male blood. It was not tamed but i've already to fed him twice. any advice on how to tame him since he's already big. thanks.

CDN_Blood · 04-25-12, 04:20 AM

Thinking that a body can 'tame' a Blood is a fun idea. Good luck with that, but while you're waiting for it to happen, you might want to get used to the idea that the snake is calling the shots and always will.

There are good Bloods, bad Bloods and some that slide up and down that scale within the same day. All you can do is work with them. These are not Royal pythons, they're not going to bend to your will, but you'll probably find yourself having to bend to it's will quite often, lol.

If you consider 2.5 feet big, I think you're in for quite a shock because that's yearling size

dshin963 · 04-25-12, 07:09 AM

It is unfortunate that you didnt get him as a hatchling... its going to be much harder to try to get him to get use to handling... I would never recommend a blood as a beginner snake... but whats done is done just before worrying about his temperament make sure you have his husbandry correct then try handling every other day for about 15 mins after a few consistent feeds (4-6)

Will0W783 · 04-25-12, 08:31 AM

As others have mentioned, a lot of bloods will never become tame. I had a yearling pair about two years ago- both had good days and bad days. And a blood python strike is one of the most painful for a snake its size. They have considerable mass (short, fat snakes) and they throw their entire force into a strike. That being said, some can be very docile, curious snakes. I recently adopted a horribly skinny, neglected blood python who is extremely laid-back. Bloods are picky about humidity, temperature and environment, so they do not make good beginner snakes. However, since you've already gotten one, we will do all we can to ensure your snake stays healthy and happy.

You should make Todd (CDN_Blood) your close friend- he is the resident blood python expert here and should have the best advice for you.

CDN_Blood · 04-25-12, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

...
You should make Todd (CDN_Blood) your close friend- he is the resident blood python expert here and should have the best advice for you.

Pfffft...what?! lol

I've already put my 2 cents in

SnakeyJay · 04-25-12, 09:11 AM

Welcome....

and don't forget to post pics of the bites to come... No photo = didn't happen

Goodluck

Terranaut · 04-25-12, 11:25 AM

I have a few larger snakes already and decided not to get a Blood. You might want to do a ton of research and watch Todds handling videos before you try to "tame" him. I thought it was a bit much for me as I have kids in the house that could run in the room of make a loud noise while I was handling. Good luck and yes post the bite pics

Thinking this is a good first snake is like putting a first time driver in a loaded semi. Not good

SerpentLust · 04-25-12, 02:07 PM

Ugh, I can't believe I have to compete with TODD for resident blood expert! lol Not fair since he always says what I'm going to say, but says it sooner!

So..."what Todd said"

But for real, keeping bloods has been one of my most challenging and fulfilling experience to date. I have had them anywhere from being ridiculously docile to full on "maniacs" (and I use "maniacs" in quotes because most people would think that they are just absolutely crazy, but you really need to understand these snakes)

Would I recommend a blood as a first snake? Absolutely not. And it has nothing to do with the snake, I think they're on my top 3 list of incredible animals, although I think a Borneo is a better choice before getting into Bloods. But it's the husbandry and handling errors that newer keepers make that can either cost a blood his life OR cost a keeper a little bit of blood.

If you would like to read up on a fun blood rescue story of mine, check out facebook.com/CRAnimalParties and look at Bronco's album and story. Todd was around for that poor boy, and all he really needed was a more knowledgeable home and none of his ailments and eventual death would have happened.

Ok, I'm done with my sob stories

Bloods are amazing snakes, in the right hands. So now that you have one, don't be shy, chat us all up in the curtus forums, and make sure you're giving him the best possible home you can

shaunyboy · 04-25-12, 02:35 PM

your bloods young enough not to do too much damage if he bites you right now

imo,you will learn to read the snake as he grows,so you will have an idea of when he's grumpy

an adult blood has one of the,fastest,hardest strikes i've ever seen

cheers shaun

CDN_Blood · 04-25-12, 02:35 PM

Hah! You guys make me laugh

The only thing I'm expert at is skinning fools who are stupid enough to show the whole World their level of their idiocy.

When it comes to snakes, sure, mine are happy and healthy but that's because I understand their needs and treat them with respect. I've *always* done my homework and soul searching *before* deciding on whether or not to take-in a new animal, and by the time I got into Bloods I already had 15 years experience under my belt with some really outstanding reptiles, so I was ready to move to Bloods.

It was a conscious decision I made at the beginning of my herp life that I would gain the necessary experience first and then decide if I was ready to aim for Bloods. It's no accident that I have them; it was a very carefully planned set of moves that brought me into their world.

I'm happy to say that over 10 years later I still have my first Blood, and each one I've acquired since, but that doesn't make me an 'expert'. It just makes me someone who understands them and is willing to work with them.

In 25 years, I've never recommended a Blood python to a single person and I'd certainly not ever recommend one as a first snake, but I do like being pleasantly surprised, so I'll be watching

marvelfreak · 04-25-12, 02:47 PM

Hello and welcome! The most important thing to learn is how to read he mood. You will also want to move slowly when handling. Watch for how it is breathing. When you open the cage if it's breathing heavy just stand still and let it calm down. When picking it up always slide your hand under it and left slowly. Never get to close to their head as they will freak them out. Remember Bloods are very insecure and nervous so when spooked the become defensive. So you need to make them feel secure.

Also if you do get bit do not put him right down or back in the cages. If you do it will reinforce that behavior. Then he will bite just to get put down. Has for handling starting out i would keep the secession to 5 to 10 minutes tops starting out till he starts feeling more secure. Something i started doing to that seems to help when handling mine is i only turn one light in the room on. My snake room as three light if i turn only one on it's darker in there and it seem to help them feel more secure.

Trent · 04-25-12, 05:30 PM

Hi and welcome!!

Caylan · 04-25-12, 10:30 PM

While Todd and Jenn fight over being the resident blood expert, I'll just say I know my fair share as well, I'm just quieter and less eccentric then they are

Not to mention I don't have problems with my bloods like they do hehehe... Feel free to PM me if you'd like my side of the story as well, good luck!(a blood was going to be my first snake before I saw Maru... then things changed)

SerpentLust · 04-25-12, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDN_Blood

by the time I got into Bloods I already had 15 years experience under my belt with some really outstanding reptiles, so I was ready to move to Bloods.

LMAO See what I mean? He steals my life! I've always loved snakes, and when I first became interested in keeping snakes as pets, I started going to the library (before the days of mainstream internet folks!), and researching breeds. I fell in love with Bloods immediately but knew I would have to work up to that. My first snake ended up being a Spotted Python, who I still have to this day.

After 10 years of experience under MY belt (as women are capable of absorbing more knowledge at a quicker pace than men -jabs Todd-) I purchased my first borneo, soon after the black bloods came into play and finally a red blood and a blonde blood.

And don't let Caylan fool you, he is equally as eccentric! It's the quiet ones you have to watch out for...

CDN_Blood · 04-26-12, 04:48 AM

<pats SerpentLust reassuringly on the head> There-there, dear...there-there. You just keep telling yourself whatever you need to get through your day

The reason we're doing so well with our Bloods is because we understand them. It's only those who don't understand what Blood pythons are all about and don't respect them for what they are who have problems with them - usually BIG problems.

As for Caylan, I dunno that I'd say he's eccentric, but he is somewhat of a Golden Boy. Everything he takes on just seems to thrive and he seems to have an built-in understanding and respect for snakes, so it's no surprise that his are doing so well also.

Considering the factors of the original post in this thread, I can't help but feel that this experience is going to end badly and in short order, but let's hope I'm wrong. I'm bound to be wrong at some point, so it might as well happen now and get it over with so I can go back to be my happy and sparkling self. Did I say happy and sparkling? I meant disheartened and crotchety