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Blood Python
Python brongersmai
Also called Red Blood Python, Brongersma's Python, Sumatran Short-tailed Python
From Southeast Asia: Peninsular Malaysia, southwestern Thailand, Sumatra (Indonesia), Bangka Island, and nearby islands in the Straits of Malacca.12
At a glance the quick version
Most adults range 91-152 cm (36-60 in) for males and 120-180 cm (48-72 in) for females; occasional individuals reach 240 cm (96 in).
Looks how to spot one
scales
A very heavy-bodied, robust snake with a short tail and a broad head that is wider than the neck. The body feels solid and muscular.12
Personality what they are like
Captive-bred blood pythons, especially those from Sumatran bloodlines, are generally calm and docile. Wild-caught Malaysian specimens can be defensive and quick to bite. With confident, supportive handling they become predictable and gentle pets.142
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Crepuscular, most active around dawn and dusk. Not highly active; they are ambush predators that spend much of the day resting. Provide a secure hiding place and a thermal gradient.15
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Low maintenance. Shedding occurs every few months; provide a humid hide or mist the enclosure during shed. Clean the water bowl regularly. Handle with confidence, supporting the full body weight.42
Home where they are happiest
A secure, well-ventilated enclosure: for adults at least 120 cm long, 60 cm wide, 30 cm tall (48x24x12 inches). Provide a thermal gradient of 26-32°C (78-90°F) with a basking spot up to 33°C (92°F). Humidity 60-80%. Include a large water bowl, hiding spots, and substrate such as cypress mulch or aspen. Not venomous; no legal restrictions in most countries, but always check local laws.324
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Carnivorous. Feed appropriately sized rats (pre-killed or frozen-thawed) once a week for juveniles, every 14-21 days for adults. Avoid overfeeding as they are prone to obesity. Never offer live prey due to risk of injury to the snake.462
Company who they like around
Solitary. Do not house two blood pythons together except briefly for breeding. They are not venomous and are legal to keep in most countries, but always verify local regulations. Handle regularly from a young age to maintain tameness.14
The story where it all began
Blood pythons were long feared as aggressive and unpredictable because most early captives were wild-caught adults from Malaysia. By the 1990s, captive breeding increased, especially from Sumatran stock, producing much calmer animals. Today they are popular among intermediate reptile keepers, with many colour morphs available. Their name comes from the rich red and orange hues typical of the species.162
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for a Blood Python. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
- Fresh waterevery day
- Temperature checkCheck the warm and cool endsevery day
- Humidity checkevery 2 days
- Spot cleanevery 2 days
- FeedingHow often depends on species, age and sizevaries
- Shed checkNote each shed in the diary; a complete shed is a good signvaries
- Weigh inevery month
- Full cleanevery month
- Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Blood Python?
Feed juveniles once a week and adults every 14-21 days. Use pre-killed or frozen-thawed rats to avoid injury. Avoid overfeeding as they are prone to obesity.462
What does a Blood Python eat, and what should it never eat?
They eat appropriately sized rats, pre-killed or frozen-thawed. Never offer live prey because it can injure the snake.462
How much space does a Blood Python need?
Adults need an enclosure at least 120 cm long, 60 cm wide, and 30 cm tall. Provide a secure, well-ventilated space with hiding spots and a large water bowl.324
What temperature, light or water does a Blood Python need?
Provide a thermal gradient of 26-32°C with a basking spot up to 33°C. Humidity should be 60-80%. Include a large water bowl for drinking and soaking.324
How often should I clean a Blood Python's home?
Spot clean every couple of days and do a full clean once a month. Clean the water bowl regularly. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a full clean every 30 days.42 Pet Wiki plan
Can a Blood Python live with others?
No, they are solitary and should not be housed together except briefly for breeding. They are not venomous and are legal in most countries, but check local laws.14
Can I handle a Blood Python?
Yes, with confident, supportive handling they become predictable and gentle. Handle regularly from a young age to maintain tameness, supporting the full body weight.142
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
- en.wikipedia.org: Python brongersmai en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, length cm, lifespan years, coat or body, colours, best traits, temperament, activity needs, social needs, history, fun fact
- vpi-archive-3k6.pages.dev: blood pythons information and care vpi-archive-3k6.pages.devused for origin, length cm, coat or body, best traits, temperament, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, history
- azreptiles.com: blood python azreptiles.comused for lifespan years, habitat needs
- reptilesmagazine.com: blood and short tailed python care sheet reptilesmagazine.comused for weight kg, best traits, temperament, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs, fun fact
- reptilecymru.co.uk: short tailed pythons and blood python care sheet reptilecymru.co.ukused for activity needs
- specialtyserpents.com: BloodandShorttailPython specialtyserpents.comused for diet basics, history
- reptilecentre.com: info blood python care sheet reptilecentre.com
Checked 2026-11-03. Text is written in our own words from these sources.