Short-Tail vs. Blood

[Slipknot]

Please excuse my ignorence but what is the difference between a Blood Python and a Borneo Short-tailed Python?

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Hey there: Well, big explanation, but i'll try to make it short.

Blood pythons( So called Malaysian blood python, or summatran blood python) are actually short tailed pythons, but that is their common name. They are short tailed pythons from Malaysia and Summatra, but due to their tipical red/yellow/orange colors, have been given the common name "blood python". Python Curtus Brongersmai is their scientific name. Another reason also for that name is because summatra also has "Black blood pythons" (Python curtus curtus). These are also refered to as summatran shortailed pythons, or black short tailed pythons. Borneo short tailed pythons are exactly that, short tailed pythons from borneo. Their scientific name is Python Curtus Breinsteini(I cant remeber how to spell it, lol). These typically have a brown coloration but occasionally get some yellow or orange hinting. There are also a few other species of short tailed pythons, sarawak being one of them, and if Kara or Linds reply to this thread they probably remember the name of the other one.

So they are all short tailed pythons, but some are refered to as blood pythons because of their color. The thing though is that Summatran "short tailed pythons" are also called "black blood pythons", and some people refer to borneo short tailed pythons as borneo blood pythons. Anyways hope this helps. Any more questions, just ask!

C.

[KLG]

Actually blood pythons are blood pythons (P. brongersmai) and short-tailed pythons (P. curtus & P. breitensteini) are not, which is why the names "black blood" and "Borneo blood" make things very confusing.

Additionally, the curtus complex is no longer considered valid, so now it's Python brongersmai, Python curtus & Python breitensteini.

Here's a link to the paper detailing the systematics explaining what each species is & why.

http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/Scott/PDF%20Files/2001.Keoghetal.P.curtus.pdf

[Slipknot]

Thanks...:D

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Wow. Lol Thanks Kara! When did they change the Curtus Complex thing? Also, I thought they were all short tailed pythons? Anyways, thanks.

C.

[KLG]

That paper was written in 2000 & published in 2001, and initiated the change in nomenclature for this group of snakes.

K

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Wow, so people have been using the improper terms for several years now?! Thanks for the info.

C.

[KLG]

Well, it's not like there was a big giant "to do" made about it...most folks are simply unaware.

K