next snake: blood or carpet?

[ohh_kristina]

I'm trying to decide on what my next snake will be. I have narrowed it down between a blood python and a carpet python. I am also saving up for a GTP. Which do you think I should get? I have heard that blood pythons are like logs and that carpet pythons are sometimes aggressive. Is this true? Any help on how to decide would be appreciated. Thanks!

-Kristina

[SerpentLust]

Personally I would go for the Blood. But that is strictly personal preference! hehehe

Jenn

[Zoe]

Hi Kristina! I'm going to suggest Carpets for a number of reasons:
The first is personal preference :D
The second is they are small, tinner bodied and easier to house.
The third is they are more active... mine hang out in the branches day and night.
The fourth is that you have a huge choice of ssp (however, you do have lots of Blood locales to choose from as well)
The fifth is that carpets are considerably easier to take care of, and more forgiving of imperfect husbandry.

Good luck in making your decision!

Oh, and carpets aren't very aggressive. I've worked with babies and adults of various ssps, and i've only been bitten twice - once was by a baby I was sexing, and the other was a feeding mistake. Bloods can be just as testy or even more so!

Zpe

[lilyskip]

I agree with Zoe, mostly on the handling issue...bloods (for my own taste) are just way to large around. But I think their patterns are beautiful...if you're okay with their massive girth, then go for it! And I know I told you this before, but oooooo, I LOVE gtps!

[lordkovacs]

i have a 6 month old Iiran Jaya that I've had for 5 months...or thereabouts. NOT one single bite or even an attempt. I don't know who said they are aggressive? perhaps when young and you go to pick them up you can't just reach in very quickly cause they won't know what is lunging at them. Start by putting your hand on the opposite side of the tank and SLOWLY move your hand closer. they will pick up your scent with their tongue. anyway, point is, IJ's are awesome (in fact, I just got another), and in my experiences, not aggressive. Don't know much about bloods, but I'm not interested in them. good luck
MIKE

[paul_le_snake]

u should go with the one u know most about. if u know that "bloods" require sometimes different feeding tactics and can bite with lightining speed and may sh*t on u and may strike sideways and may even cause a bite so bad u need 60 stitches then go for a blood. but if u want a carpet u will know that they may go off food for a long time in our northern summer. they may need special feeding techniques. they may go wierd if not given the locale temps and humidity.
but seeing as uve done a ton of research i guess my comments are irrelevant
having worked with well over 50 of each carpets and bloods, i can tell u that both are equally unpredictable. ive seen bloods that will sit in ur hand and others that will strike at ur face.
ive seen carpets of all ssp that will do the same
cheers
paul

[Jeff_Favelle]

I agree with Paul. This isn't like choosing between a Retic and corn snake. Pretty much even in terms of level of experience to properly keep these two species, so juct choose what YOU like best. Nobody can tell you how to think.

[ohh_kristina]

thank you all for your replies. I have decided to get both, eventually. I have the room for them, and I have done lots of research on both and would like to have them both..so that's what I'm doing. Give me a few months and I'll have pictures for everyone to see :)

[paul_le_snake]

great
cheers
paul

[Jeff_Favelle]

thank you all for your replies. I have decided to get both,


LOL!!!!! :D Dude, that kicks a$$!!! Paul, looks like we got ANOTHER one hooked!

Post pics as soon as you get any new snakes man!!

Cheers,

Jeff F.

[burmer]

Congrats on your choice. You can't go wrong picking both. I've never had a carpet but I do own a blood. If you can provide all the proper conditions a blood is a great snake to keep. I guess I've been lucky and got a great snake. He has never hissed, bitten or been a problem feeder. I'm glad for you that you chose both.

[lordkovacs]

both solves all problems. i should have thought to suggest that! damn. oh well. good luck. MIKE