|
Python brongersmai
|
The largest species in the curtus complex, Python brongersmai, is known by many common names. "Blood Python", "Red Blood Python", "Sumatran Blood Python", and "Malaysian Blood Python" are all used. They are characterized by a highly variable background color that can be red, brown, yellow, and orange, with varying intensities of all four. They also display a yellow back pattern, that may or may not have a greyish "wash" over it. Like their background colors, head color can vary greatly between red, black, and gray (chrome). They are the most prolific of the three species, both in the wild, and in captivity.
|
The original taxonomy of the curtus complex looked quite a bit different than it does today. The first sub species, described in the late 1800's, were from the southern and western coasts of Sumatra. Over the next 50 years or so, two more subspecies were added to the taxonomy. The first individuals discovered became nominate, and were known as "Python curtus curtus". Next, individuals from the island of Borneo were added, and named "Python curtus breitenstieni". In the mid- 1900's the third subspecies was described and added. "Python curtus brongersmai" co-habitate Sumatra island with the first discovered individuals (curtus curtus), but their range is restricted to the central and nothern areas of the island, and the two poulations are separated by a mountain range. Eventually, as interest gained, and these animals became more common in captivity, all three were described and given status as their own separate species (Keogh, S., Barker, D. and Shine, R. 2001.). Their elevated status dropped the sub species designations from their names, and they became "Python curtus", "Python breitenstieni", and "Python brongersmai".
|
Distribution
The natural distribution of P. brongersmai extends from the eastern and northern sections of Sumatra all the way north into the mainland countries of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. They are also found throughout the majority of peninsular Malaysia, and on several different small islands. It's interesting to note that the expansion of palm oil plantations in their native habitat doesn't seem to have had any adverse effects on the wild populations of P. brongersmai. Quite the opposite in fact, the plantations have provided an excellent environment for these snakes to thrive. |
Choosing A Captive Blood
The price of a baby Blood Python can vary by a staggering amount. Some of the newest and rarest mutations can command tens of thousands of dollars, and some of the run-of-the-mill farmed, ranched, and captive hatched babies can be seen on local show tables for as little as $45. Choosing one somewhere in between can be a daunting task to say the least. As with any species, the various mutations tend to start out high when they are new, and get progressively less expensive as they become more common. Conversely, truly exceptional normal red animals not only hold their value, but seem to be gaining in both price, and popularity. In my opinion, the extreme demand for "fire engine red" Bloods has much to do with the abundance of farmed, ranched, and captive hatched babies that will almost always turn into drab, brown adults. In comparison to these imported babies, a gorgeous red animal looks like a superstar... and they basically sell themselves. Blood Pythons undergo an ontogenetic color change, and picking babies that will grow into incredible adults simply by sight, is next to impossible. However "redness" does seem to have some degree of genetic inherritance behind it, so choosing a baby from top notch parents can greatly increase the chances of obtaining an animal that will grow into a gem. In an effort to obtain red animals, the only alternative to obtaining U.S.C.B.B. (U.S. captive born and bred) babies from exceptional parents, is of course to obtain red adults. A breeder should be able to provide pictures of the parents, pictures of copulations, pictures of the mom on eggs, and pictures of babies hatching. There is a group of various breeders selectively choosing pairings of only the finest reds, in an effort to produce the reddest offspring. With a little bit of shopping, one can find U.S.C.B.B babies that have a very good likelihood of growing into outstanding adults. Though these animals do command a markedly greater price than the incredibly common imports, holding a candy apple red Blood of your own, as far as I'm concerned is priceless. Here at 1060 Exotics, I work with a group of some of the reddest Blood Pythons in captivity (although I'm admittedly biased). I've passed on hundreds of individuals while collecting the group I have today. To say that I'm picky when choosing a Blood Python, would be a huge understatement. |
|
|
|
