curtis vs. regius care

[emroul]

I was reading some info sheets on blood pythons, and is caring for blood's (as far as temps, humidity, sizes of animal and enclosure's go) relatively the same as caring for ball pythons? I was noticing they stay ABOUT the same size, blood's reaching a bit bigger length, and the humidity and temps for a blood are a tad lower then that of a royal. I am experienced with keeping bp's, so would it be a big difference?

Thanks,
Jennifer

[HetForHuman]

I'm pretty sure that bloods need a higher humidity than balls, and also bloods are way heavier bodied than balls.

Other than this i dont really know much about bloods, as i dont have any and havent really read much about them.

Sorry i couldnt help more but im sure someone will be along soon to give you all the answers you need. :)

[emroul]

I just read on vpi.com that bloods need about 50%-60% humidity; which is about the same as balls. But I haven't heard it from you guys, that's why I'm askin'. :) Oh, and I really like the way they look very heavy bodied, and is it true that they can weigh like 50 pounds when they are full grown? That is insane!

Jennifer

[Invictus]

Here's my experience, but this is not only from the one in my collection, but other people I know as well who have Curtus's.

50-60% is totally inadequate. People I know who kept their bloods at this humidity were wondering why it never left the water dish. :) I'd say more like 60-80% is sufficient.

And this I will tell you... bloods are WAAAAAAY bigger than balls when fully grown. You can't even compare the two. Bloods easily double the weight of a BP, even at the same length. You really have no concept of how thick and powerful these things are until you handle a 6 foot blood that you literally have to sling over your shoulder. :D

[jason h]

Actually no there care is nothing alike,bloods come froma totally different enviroment then balls,bloods are more of a rainforest species prefering damp leaflitter and swampy conditions.Where a ball is a more savannah and grassland snake with much drier conditons in comparison to the blood,
As for size bloods get ALOT bigger than balls and yes can reach as much as 50lbs(though not common) but still as big around as the top of your leg and 5-6 ft long and capable of eating adult rabbits (all my adult bloods are fed full grown rabbits) where a ball would never be able to do this. If you want a good site for info and good pics for size comparison etc. try the Pro Exotics web site.

[emroul]

Ok, thanks Jason!

Hey, one more question. :D Do bloods tend to be nippy? Or what are their temperments like? Docile, or I would guess not too high strung, but just wondering what I'm looking at as far as temperments.

Thank you again,
Jennifer

[jason h]

bloods are more high strung than balls,captive bred is the only way to go for bloods when it comes to temperment, most are quite nippy as youngsters but with enough work and handling can become quite tractable and a joy to work with if you have good healthy specimens.

[emroul]

Oh, ok. Sounds good. Off to google (and Pro exotics) I go to do lots and lots of research.

Thanks again. :)

[Invictus]

Yeah, it's kind of hit and miss with bloods. The ones that are calm when they are babies tend to stay calm though. If they're nippy and aggressive as babies, well... good luck. You've got about 50/50 odds of calming them down. Like Jason said, CBB is the ONLY way to go with these ones.

[Yve]

bloods are sensitive to humidity level fluctuations....whether its too high or low. 60% is a good level...i've kept mine at that without problems and other blood keepers that I have spoken with, have had no problems with that level of humidity either. If you purchase a captive bred animal and handle it regularly it should become placid. I've worked with two bloods, and what I've noted with cb, is that they are very hissy and dramatic but reluctant to strike. The sumatran short tails are the smallest in size but they are still stalky. I believe 4-4.5ft is avg. for them. Babies are often times nippy, but I wouldn't use that as a gauge for how the bloods temperament would be like as an adult. Personally, I love them, they are one of my favs. I love they're chunky bodies and they're shovel shaped heads. Don't mind the drama either!:) They're definately an interesting creature to care for.

[Corey Woods]

Jennifer,

As always, my view is always different!..lol. I keep mine the same temps and humidty as balls. The hatchling bloods are kept in the same rack beside my balls. The subadult bloods are kept in the same rack as my adult balls (both with the exact same temps, humidity and feeding schedule). However, the adult bloods I keep in larger size rubbermaids........but again with the same level of humidity and temps. As with the balls I just dump their waterdish when they are getting ready to shed. Most bloods are nippy when born (but then again so are all pythons!) and most CB turn out to be very tame, predictable adults.

WC Bloods (as with balls) are a nightmare to deal with and experience bad sheds as well as bad temperments.

Corey
PS I currently have 13 bloods (8 reds and 5 borneos).