Blood python

Quick sourced reference values. LOCUS Scales' full breeding/genetics toolset is built specifically for ball pythons — this page is a courtesy reference for other species.

Scientific name

Python brongersmai

Native range

Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and eastern Sumatra

Lifespan

~20 years (average cited)

Lifestyle

🌍 Terrestrial (heavy-bodied, rarely climbs)

Warm side

31°C

Cool side

27°C

Humidity

65%

Adult: often 1.2-1.5 m (4-5 ft) and 4.5-7 kg (10-15 lb), sometimes over 1.8 m and 9 kg in older animals. Ambient 27-28°C (80-82°F), hot spot 30-31°C (86-88°F); several breeders offer none. Humidity 60-70%: too dry = shed in pieces; too wet = crinkly skin and risk of respiratory infection. Not to be confused with the Sumatran short-tailed python (Python curtus) or the Borneo short-tailed python (Python breitensteini), two separate species.

Diet: Carnivore — mostly rats, frozen-thawed. Babies often start on hopper mice before moving to rat pups. Warming the prey close to body temperature helps picky eaters.

Feeding frequency: Baby and juvenile: weekly. Adult (3 years and up): every 14 days, medium or large rats. An overweight adult: smaller prey or every 21 days. Obesity is common in this species.

Substrate: Several layers of kraft paper (the snake slips between the sheets, which works as a hide), newspaper, aspen shavings or cypress mulch. Babies on paper towels. Never cedar — toxic oils — and avoid dusty shavings.

UVB: Not documented as essential. A low UVB tube (2-5%) is mentioned as optional by some sources.

🏠 Enclosure size

Baby : 10×6×4in tub

Sub-adult : 18×10×7in, then a ~33×17×5in tub

Adult : 52×20×12in tub or 48×24×24in enclosure

Common questions

Is it true that blood pythons are aggressive?

That reputation mostly comes from wild-caught adults imported years ago. A captive-bred blood python handled gently from a young age usually becomes a calm adult. Babies can be nervous, thrash or bite at first: it's normal and it passes.

It huffs loudly when I pick it up, is that bad?

No, it's common in the species: many huff during handling without being aggressive. Some may also bite or musk.

My adult is getting very heavy, what should I do?

Obesity is a common problem in blood pythons and hurts breeding and breathing. Space out meals (every 21 days) or offer smaller prey. Avoid very fatty retired breeder rodents.

It spends a lot of time in its water bowl, is that normal?

An occasional soak, yes. If it soaks often and for long, check three things: an enclosure that is too warm, not enough hides, or mites (tiny black specks in the water).

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General reference content — does not replace veterinary advice.