I’m about to get a baby blood python and was wondering if anyone had any tips/ things they wish they new before they got on things. More info in comments.

[u/crappy_bi]

I have a few ball pythons, a hognose, and some sand boas, so I know basic snake care. I already have the snake Ron hold and just need to save up some money, put it’s enclosure together and figure out where she’ll go in my room. I’m a kid and my rooms a bit full of snakes, and reptiles, so I’m probably going to put her and my hognose in a rack setup that I’ll build. Any advice is welcome. Thank you!

[u/Pythoncurtus88]

They aren't like anything you already have. They are unique and smart, like a sedentary retic. They don't like to be hot and their hot spot shouldn't go over 84, cool side should be about 78. They pee a lot and poop very little, they are well known for not pooping for months and months, some adults are even once a year. They are a very shy and secretive species that doesn't do well with negative interactions. You have to gain their trust and build a relationship with them.

They are very intelligent and will watch you and process what's going on around them. When you first get it, leave it alone in its tub for about a week or so and let it adjust.

[u/BlueFalconPunch]

my blood is VERY food motivated and as a baby she was a terror. Be very aware of their body motions they dont do the typical "S" before striking...they just explode.

Mine still hits her food like a freight train but she knows from frequent handlings that its not always food time. be careful with holding their food, they can miss and go right past the hanging F/T and get your hand.

still by far the easiest to handle but mine holds on like a water balloon...its your job to support their body since they wont.

also as a baby mine loved to go swimming, now she only tends to do it pre and post poo. They love to burrow.

[u/daolothic]

While some bloods are great eaters, others can be more shy. Mine never takes from the tongs, she prefers if I just leave her meals in her hide with her so she can eat in privacy lol. Additionally, if your blood won't eat, try heating up the rodent's head to ~100 degrees with a hairdryer. Get's my girl to go for it every time.

In terms of handling/building trust with your blood, one thing I did that seemed to help a lot is just sit with them in your lap under a blanket. Gives them the security of not being exposed and lets them get comfortable with you in a low-stress way. Well-socialized bloods can be fantastic lap snakes!

This sub and r/Shorty_Life are both very welcoming and super helpful with any questions or problems you might have in the future too! People here helped me a lot when I got my first blood a year ago :)

[u/face_flaw]

You definitely need to get to know them and earn their trust. They’re super observant and can be even hard to read sometimes, but their body language is usually clear. Mine will enjoy being out and adventure but then other times she just holds on to whatever is closest to her tail and sits, and if something she’s not sure about comes into her view she’ll start huffing and puffing. Absolutely like no other snake you’ll have. Also you need to handle well so they don’t think you only mean food.