The Python-curtus-complex

These include three from the body very similar species from the southeast of Asia, which were formerly listed as subspecies of Blood pythons (Python curtus). Recent taxonomic studies led to the conclusion that the animals are now recognized as separate species. Since they are very closely related to each other, many biologists and owners use the term "complex".

The three types of the Python-curtus-complex have been my very special "favorites" from the start. The wonderful design of the animals, the manageable size and the high variability of Blood pythons (Python brongersmai), Borneo pythons (Python breitensteini) and Short-tailed-pythons/Black blood pythons (Python curtus) have been decisive. They are wonderful animals that require little movement and with proper handling – in particular sufficiently high humidity – hardly ever make any problems. Previously these species were considered sensitive, but this was mainly because of the heavy with parasites infected wild-caughts and the lack of attention to the humidity.

Python brongermai

As the first the Borneo pythons developed into a "normal" terrarium animal, where today there are many lines with virtually "tame" animals, the same development just started with the Blood Python, who is currently imported by a particularly large number of farm breeds from Indonesia, with regular new spectacular color morphs coming up. Short-tailed-pythons on the other hand always retains something of a "special role": The partial almost black snakes are considered the fiercest within the complex and offsprings are still a rarity in European terrariums.

Because this is always the first question from prospective customers: Do not believe the farytales of Blood pythons, that permanently bite everything and everyone. This does not reflect the facts! But it must not be denied, that there are such animals and of course, these snakes can bite! Wild caught animals are in fact often real "biters" for life, with farmbreds it depends on the frequency of handling. Animals bred in captivity however, are usually as tame as many Boa constrictors. I therefore strongly recommend to buy captive-bred offsprings, you will enjoy these animals much more!

Nesting in the Blood-Pythons of Bangka Iceland

With many of my more than 30 breeding animals of that species I can work with bare hands in the terrarium, some animals can even be taken out of their terrarium without a snakehook. An experience that many other owners have made as well. Of course, it depends on the circumstances of the keeping how a snake will respond: If the terrarium is only opened for feeding or smells of food are in the room, even the tamest Blood python will snap eventually. Therefore the feeding of multiple animals in one tank is not advisible, it almost always leads to accidents and snakes are biting each other. On the other hand, I also have three animals that won’t even snap when a prey has been placed in front of them. In my experience, females are often more "spirited" than males.

Almost all animals of the Python-curtus-complex show a little peculiarity: There is a "phase of puberty" with adolescent animals of about 60–90 cm of length (of cause it can differ depending on the individual), in which the animals react more hectic than before and after in their life, they might even try to snap more often. Unfortunately, many owners lose the desire for their snakes within this time and they give them away. Only a few months later these pythons can be very calm again, when they reached a certain size and – thus apparently connected – a little more balance. For example: I own a pair of albino animals that after there arrival from the United States permanently tryed to snap me. Today, I even gather the eggs of the brooding female with my bare hands or lift the animals, after a brief warning (put my hand on the head), out of the terrarium without a hook – and absolutly nothing happens! But there are also animals that will never allow that after years.

Other Pythons

In addition to the species of the Blood-python-complex, I own some White-lipped Pythons, Bismarck ringed pythons and Dwarf tiger pythons, three other southeast Asian species, that are very similar in there maintenance.