I can't resist and need some info just in case

akane · 11-28-16, 06:57 AM

This huge (16lb) blood python has been listed on the local group forever now. It might just feel like forever because a blood python is what made me want snakes but a semi-tame, already huge python.... I have raised a rosy boa and a dekay's brown snake (like a small garter snake) so far with a bullsnake shipping (collecting in Iowa is illegal) tomorrow. I've done all natural enclosures so far with them steadily heading toward bioactive as I work on cultures and will be able to order more in spring but what the heck could I set up 16lbs of snake in? I'd have to build an enclosure even if I keep it simple like a bin cage that can be sterilized, wouldn't I? How big? I should go google that. I should also google heat, humidity, do they need to soak, and one hell of a better snake stick than what I'm planning right now.

Just point me in the direction of the logistics of keeping something that big.... This is one I waver on if any amount of research will prepare me to try keeping it at this moment so I am not going in without pre- instead of post- research and some serious thought. Also my husband might divorce me over something that can eat the cat.

Note- no amount of saying "do not get that" has an impact on me. Give me the facts of keeping it and I will decide to go ahead or not. Just saying don't usually ends up with me pissing people off despite not meaning to. I simply like to make my own informed decisions and there's good odds in the end I would agree but I will argue it to the death and keep asking questions right up until I make that decision.

**Andy_G** · 11-28-16, 08:05 AM

Build or buy an enclosure. I wouldn't go less than 4'x2'x1' for a blood. They aren't active but still need the space because of their bulk. I would use a RHP and offer a large tip proof dish. For substrate, use something that will hold moisture well with a high mold resistance. They are a high humidity species but they like a cooler warm end than most boids. I'm sure you'll come across more info during your researching but there's a little bit to start.

**Minkness** · 11-28-16, 09:23 AM

Andy summed it up pretty well. Bioactive may not be the way to go with it for now anyway. Also, if you can't afford a 4x2x1 enclosure right now, look at getting a Christmas tree tub. They are available right now in most places like Target and Big Lots, but you can order online too. Some are as low as 30$ others are as expensive as 70$ (which is still pretty cheap for an enclosure!).

There is no point of trying to talk you out of it. Besides, we are waaaay the weong forum for that. Haven't you learned yet that we are a bunch of enablers? Lol

Hopefully the comment about the divorce was just a joke, if not though....that would suck! After all, the snake can't eat the cat if it's locked away in it's enclosure! =D

Good luck either way. Looking forward to pics when you get it! If...I mean if.... lol

**Aaron_S** · 11-28-16, 09:33 AM

Here's a really good question to ask yourself before jumping into bed with a blood python.

Are you a casual snake/reptile keeper or is this a deep passion and you'd seriously consider yourself a "snake person"? If the answer is the former then you may want to steer clear of this species.

Overall, the keeping of them isn't too difficult. They are just big. They have some attitude and the worst thing about them is they give NO indication that their mood has changed from being of tolerant of you/handling to "I'm done and put me back". They are ambush predators to the umpteenth degree so they give no warnings before a strike usually.

In my time owning them they are ferocious eaters, can be super rewarding and handleable to complete buttheads. You'll need to be okay living with a snake on it's terms and not yours (like ball pythons, corns, etc.)

All the advice on husbandry is good. I'd just add in a proper snake hook for hook training and a pair of hemostats for feeding.

akane · 11-28-16, 10:09 AM

Ahh... tongs/hemostats were an item I was missing. A pair might be good as my bull grows. My husband dislikes the snakes and won't touch them but I agreed to give up guinea pigs which he hates even more, eat a ton, poop 4x4x4' box of dirty bedding every 4months, and take an hour to dump and fill their water so he mostly takes the trade as snakes appear and guinea pigs disappear. Although when I asked if I could hold the rosy boa while using my laptop in bed I got a firm no. Seems no snakes in the bed lol I would dive head first into snake keeping and give up various other exotic pet keeping or tanks I would have used for fish but I have always lived with people who hate snakes. They fascinated me since I was a kid and I don't get the reason anyone should complain. They mostly stay in their enclosures, don't take a whole lot of cleanup by comparison to other things, and while I do check daily that the heat didn't go out and the water hasn't all evaporated for the most part they could be left for awhile if I get sick or something or might just need misted/water top off. If it's a food day I can drag myself out there. The rest of the animals fall apart and then I have a big game of catchup or even a dead mammal or bird because my husband forgot something or didn't notice something that was off. I'm not sure he has a concept of what a bulky 6-8' snake is like though so a 2016 bullsnake is different from convincing him to get a 16lb blood python.

PatrickV · 11-28-16, 12:08 PM

i would not worry much about the logistics of keeping something the size of a blood. they are not enormous or super long, just really fat. i like to use a hook to tap my larger boa's before handling them, so that might be useful, along with the other things people have already mentioned.

akane · 11-28-16, 05:18 PM

So a 48-50" around 2' or a bit less bin or 6-12sq ft is the sizes I'm seeing for full adults. I think he's a little overweight on xxl rats but I prefer to confirm these things that are not major health issues, just future consideration, after something is mine and I can post all the pics I want. What do you use for a water bowl? A cost effective water bowl. How high can the sides be? How heavy taking into account the sides? Not all that hot really but what dimensions heat pad would that take? Most seem to say just lay down shipping, kraft, or news paper. If there's a wire lid would you add something that holds more humidity? That allows more hiding? A wire lid is not what I would probably do but future thought. Humidity is high most of the year here anyway so with a water bowl a winter shed would probably be the only time it might come up and misting would fix that, right?

**Aaron_S** · 11-29-16, 06:26 AM

You can use a rubbermaid or cat litter box as a water dish. Depending on the type of enclosure you have will depend on the lid. If it's a tub then use the tub lid.

I'd use something absorbent for substrate. These guys hold in their poops for weeks and explode all at once sometimes. It'll be a lot!

akane · 11-29-16, 01:25 PM

Would this work for a bin that size? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A3GTKTPQZPAUYB

I think I have the smallest one of the same brand under my rosy boa. Amazon does not have a snake hook that would have any impact. I haven't secured links to good online reptile stores and there's 2 local stores I want to check out but their hours are inconvenient so it would have to be early enough on a Saturday. That just hasn't lined up.

**EL Ziggy** · 11-29-16, 01:43 PM

I prefer ultratherm UTHs that I get from Reptile Basics. They also sell nice hooks and tongs.

Ultratherm Heat Pads

**Andy_G** · 11-29-16, 02:09 PM

I'd avoid paper as substrate. It does not hold humidity well and like Aaron said, when these guys go it's a LOT so paper wouldn't be ideal.

toddnbecka · 11-30-16, 01:21 AM

If you do want to keep a blood python (or anything else that needs higher humidity) I'd recommend adding cypress mulch to your order along with the heat mat/s. I use it for a number of boas as well as my carpet pythons, even the Jap rat snakes that don't need higher humidity. It's easy to spot clean whether it's damp or dry and simply looks much better than newspaper, lol.

akane · 11-30-16, 01:41 AM

It's 60% or more humidity most of the year before you add a water dish. It's 76% right now just in the overall air and there is a dehumidifier running in the basement with it turning winter. Most of my tanks are desert setup so I have no reason to try to add water but I misted my dekayi's temperate tank like suggested for bio-active and I spent a week trying to dry it back out. I am finally just redoing the thing with a higher sand content and better separated drainage layer since just the little water dish turns the soil soggy otherwise. Using some lamp heat is probably what helps my rosy boa stay dry enough. I also let the water dish run dry for a day or 2 before filling it again.

Albert Clark · 11-30-16, 08:03 AM

My biggest concern would be the health of the animal. 16 lbs and how old is this blood python? That weight seems to be a unhealthy one. Bloods are a short stocky species but I don't know if they need to be obese? Can the seller relay all the pertinent info to your satisfaction also?

**Andy_G** · 11-30-16, 08:12 AM

16 pounds is not abnormal for a blood, but Albert may be right as this species can become obese very easily. 16 is slightly bigger than average by a pound or 2. Any pics to post?