top of page

Blood Python Quick Facts & Care Guide

Basic Information

  • Scientific Name: Python brongersmai (along with P. curtus and P. breitensteini)

  • Common Names: Blood python, Red blood python

  • Family: Pythonidae

  • Origin: Southeast Asia (Sumatra, Borneo, Malaysia)

  • Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN)

Habitat Requirements

  • Enclosure Size: Minimum 48" x 24" x 24" (Adults)

  • Temperature:

    • Basking spot: 82-86°F

    • Cool side: 75-78°F

  • Humidity: 60-70% (use misting, humid hides, moisture-retaining substrate)

  • Lighting: UVB recommended but not essential (12-hour cycle)

  • Substrate: Coconut fiber, cypress mulch, sphagnum moss (4+ inches deep)

Health & Maintenance

  • Water: Large bowl for drinking/soaking, change frequently (Daily/Every Other)

  • Cleaning: Spot clean waste daily, deep clean every 3 to 4 months

  • Shedding: Provide humid hide, monitor for incomplete sheds

  • Health Issues: Respiratory infections (if too cold)

Size & Appearance

  • Length: Hatchling Size: 12-14 inches /Adults: 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters)

  • Weight: 10-30 pounds (4.5-13.6 kg)

  • Body Type: Stout, muscular, heavily built

  • Lifespan: 20-30 years in captivity

  • Colors: Red, orange, brown, yellow with black/white blotches.

​Feeding

  • Diet: Rodents (mice, rats), birds, occasionally rabbits.

Behavior & Temperament

  • Activity: Nocturnal, most active at night

  • Temperament: Can be defensive when young/handled improperly

  • Social: Solitary (house separately)

  • Movement: Terrestrial, limited climbing

  • Hunting: Ambush predator, uses heat-sensing pits

Handling Tips

  • Approach: From side/below, not from above

  • Support: Support as much body as possible

  • Duration: Start with short sessions, gradually increase

  • Frequency: 2-3 times per week maximum

  • Safety: Never handle by tail alone​

​​

​

BRONZE2.png
bottom of page