I know it's kinda early, but...

[RachelS.]

This goes with the post below (sad news), but I decided to make it seperate because I wasn't sure if anyone would see this there... it deserves its own thread.

And I know Sauron just left me yesterday, but it hurts, like an empty space, and I have to fill it. I could never find anyone to replace him, but all I can do is the next best thing... suck it all up and just get myself another short-tail. I wanted all your opinions on which one of these snakes below you think I should get. Any and all comments appreciated. Thanks for everything :)

<center><img src=http://www.newenglandreptile.com/forsale_bloods/OHBB1-1.jpg>

<img src=http://www.newenglandreptile.com/forsale_bloods/OHBB1-2.jpg>

^^^ New England Reptile Distributors...
"Male orange-headed Sumatran short-tailed/black blood python. Bright orange head against a black & grey body with yellow highlighting, he is GORGEOUS. Approx. 3' long. LTC, well-established animal" ^^^

<img src=http://www.newenglandreptile.com/forsale_bloods/FBB_1-1.jpg>

<img src=http://www.newenglandreptile.com/forsale_bloods/FBB_1-2.jpg>

^^^ N.E.R.D. again... "LTC, established female Sumatran short-tailed python/black blood. Small scar on back, but in otherwise great condition. Approx. 3' in length" ^^^

<img src=http://market.**************/image/66465.jpg>

^^^ Ks .com classifieds... pair of sumatran short-tailed pythons. He's selling the pair, but I asked him if he would seperate them for me. As you can see, this girl is already super black and just a youngin. I don't think he ships, though. Any way I can pursuade him to do so? ^^^

<img src=http://www.eastbayvivarium.com/virtual/snakes/blackblood/BBPM01-1.jpg>

<img src=http://www.eastbayvivarium.com/virtual/snakes/blackblood/BBPM01-2.jpg>

^^^ East Bay Vivarium... male black blood. W.C. male, 3 1/2 feet long, easts well. Not as dark as I want, but still very nice ^^^

As you can see, none of these are as dark as Sauron was, but I looked hard and I love these ones... they're gorgeous! Let me know what you think! Thanks for looking...

[Zoe]

I think the second one is nicest!

[Burmies]

They all lokk great.

Burmies

[alex_33]

i would also say the second one :p

[RachelS.]

Oh yeah, and the one that won't show... just right click on it, properties, then copy and paste the link, but change the ************* to k i n g s n a k e . c o m in the address box so you can see it

[honduranfreekk]

I really like the second one :) :)

[Grant vg]

i like the second one as well.
But seeing that you just got over an upsetting ordeal with your other one, i think you should go for the broken KS link one, as its the smallest and i find its easier to "read" and take care of younger hatchlings to adult rather then say a LTC sub adult to adult.
In the end its your choice, but seeing that they are all great looking curtus, id much rather see the full growth and colour change of my snake.

Gvg

[RachelS.]

Another thing... I am going to check out the next big herp expo coming in in about 2 weeks. Maybe they'll have something. I asked a few breeders if they could bring their black bloods, too... so I can see them in person and get it there instead of the cost, and stress of the snake being shipped.

[Blackwidow69]

:cool: Ok the first one- he looks really pretty and nice,
the second one is really nice but she has a bad spot on her nose could be from cage rubbing or something else and also the spot on the back, the third one i cant get in at all so il have to go to that site and take a look.. the fourth one i dont care for.. you should keep looking around to make sure you get a real healthy and well cared for blood, do you want a older one or a baby?? Just wondering.....:cool:

[eyespy]

Man, I couldn't begin to pick one. I like the first and second about equally.

Do you know what pathogen it was that made Sauron sick? It might be a good idea to do a 72 hour protocol sterilization before you think about getting another snake to be sure everything is killed off. The first day is a scrubbing out like crazy day, followed by a 10% bleach soak. Ideally you submerge the entire enclosure but spraying it down heavily and then letting the bleachwater remain in contact with all surfaces for at least 8 hours will also do. You have to keep spraying down the ceiling and walls of an enclosure to keep them nice and saturated. Rinse like the nastiest kid in school just kissed you!

Second day it's an ammonia solution, also at 10%. Because bleach and ammonia when combined give off dangerous fumes you have to be absolutely sure you've rinsed thoroughly before usng the ammonia.

Third day it's just rinsing and airing out like crazy with lots of mechanical scrubbing to dislodge any fungus spores, parasite eggs, etc. that might have stubbornly clung to sufaces even after the previous 2 days. Try to get someone who's just come in from outside to see if they detect even the faintest odor coming from the cage.

We had to do this at the clinics whenever an animal died of a highly infectious disease. It's a royal pain in the patootie but a very cheap insurance policy.

[RachelS.]

blackwidow69: I really wouldn't mind having a baby, but I'd prefer an adult. I just got an email from the person with the third pic posted - blood. He said he'll sell me the male for $200... which is actually a pretty fair price. I asked him if he could ship him to me. Who knows what he'll say to that. I hope he'll understands, and ship the snake.

eyespy: thanks so much for the info. I'll do that right away. And this Friday I'm going to do a full rinse out of all my cages and spray them down good!

Thanks everyone for all your help!!

[Tim and Julie B]

O.k. I guess I am going against what everyone else says but I like the first one. But I am the first to admit that I don't know much about this species(ie. what colour or pattern is more desirable). So I am just going by looks. But I would have to say bachlour #1 is by far the best looking. Good luck in choosing your next companion.

[Xetox]

I live the looks of the first one!!!! But you have to make you own choice we can not make it for ya!

[RachelS.]

Here's a short update: The guy with the 3rd pic blood emailed me back, and told me he has a local buyer wanting to buy the pair, but might drop out of the deal. So I'm hoping that this guy drops out so I can buy the lone male because these snakes are super dark for juvies. He also agreed to ship the snake when the weather gets warmer. I'm gonna cross my fingers and pray hard!

[peregrinefalcon]

I like the two from N.E.R.D. but if I were to choose I would pick the young one because I like raising them from babies :) You can shape them more into the type of personality you want better then with adults.
Adam