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Python curtus
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Python curtus is known mainly by two different common names: "Sumatran Short Tail Python" and "Black Blood Python". They are the smallest of the three species, both in physical size, and natural distribution. They are characterized by a brown/ black background, and jet black back pattern. Their sides vary from yellow to white, and their heads can be either black, orange, or gray (chrome). |
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 northern areas of the island, and the two populations 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".
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Distribution
| The natural distribution of P. curtus is the southern and western coasts of Sumatra, on the Indian Ocean side of the Bukit Barisan mountain range. The mountain range separated P. curtus from P. Brongersmai, and has allowed two entirely different species to evolve. Since their popularity as captives has increased, a noticeable difference in two different sorts of P. curtus has become apparent. The orange headed specimens are quite a bit smaller on average than their black and chrome headed counterparts, and both the sizes of the clutches they lay, and the size of the eggs seems to be on average quite different as well. Additionally, the scalations of the two are not the same. Genetic tests on both are currently underway to determine if the orange headed specimens are in fact their own species. |
Choosing A Baby
| As with Red Blood Pythons, there is a world of difference between true U.S.C.B.B. (U.S. Captive Born and Bred) babies, from parents selectively paired to produce the highest quality offspring, and the over-abundant ranched, farmed, and captive hatched imports that can be had for as little as $45 at weekend shows, or in online classifieds and mailing lists. Also along the same lines as Red Bloods, the "blackness" of Sumatran Short Tails seems to be at least somewhat genetic. This is the main difference between truly captive bred animals and the imports. The most desirable blacks have little to no brown in their background coloring, and little to no yellow in their sides; basically, the blacker the better. Truly incredible blacks are rare, and are easy to spot in comparison to an average animal, which will have a more brownish overall appearance, and very light sides. Many of these animals can be difficult to discern from a darker Borneo. There are a number of breeders working to produce the darkest animals, and each year it seems like the snakes produced keep getting darker. Jeff Hartwig is one such breeder, and he has become known as "the guy" with the blackest Blacks. My breeding stock of Black Bloods originally came from Jeff. Another very desirable appearance (and my personal favorite) are chrome headed Blacks with little to no coloration aside from black, chrome, and a bit of white. Again, selective captive breeding is the key. |
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