Blood Python (Ivory T+ Albino)

Python brongersmai
Common Names: Blood Python, Brongersmai Python

Species Overview

• Size: Adults typically measure 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m), with females being stockier and heavier-bodied. Rare individuals may exceed 7 feet.

• Appearance:
  

  • Ivory (Super Matrix - Visual): The homozygous form of the Matrix gene, producing a snake that is pale, creamy, and reduced-pattern, often appearing almost solid ivory with faint striping or ghosted pattern.

  • T+ Albino (Recessive – Heterozygous): This mutation retains caramel and brown tones due to the presence of the tyrosinase enzyme.
    
    

  These traits result in a creamy, low patterned snake that has the capacity to produce caramel coloured offspring.

• Distribution: Wild-type Blood Pythons are native to Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and nearby islands.

• Habitat: They thrive in swampy forests, marshlands, and humid lowland habitats, making use of dense ground cover.

• Behaviour: A terrestrial ambush predator, relying on camouflage and power to capture rodents, birds, and other small prey.

Captive Care

• Enclosure: Adults thrive in enclosures measuring at least 4 ft × 2 ft × 1.5–2 ft, with emphasis on floor space. Provide a snug hide, deep humidity-retentive substrate, and a large water bowl for soaking.

• Temperature & Humidity: Keep a basking area at 86–88°F (30–31°C) and a cooler end at 78–80°F (25–27°C). Humidity should be maintained at 60–70%, increasing to 80% during shedding.

• Diet: Juveniles should be fed pup rats or equivalent prey every 5–7 days; adults thrive on medium to large rats every 10–14 days. Overfeeding should be avoided, as Blood Pythons are prone to obesity.

• Behaviour in Captivity: Captive-bred blood pythons are generally hardy and reliable feeders, though they may be defensive if startled and are strongly food-motivated. With consistent husbandry, they usually become steady and manageable captives.

• Special Considerations: They do best in naturalistic, humid setups with deep substrate, which supports hydration and burrowing behaviour.

Genetics Note

• • Ivory (Super Matrix - Visual): The homozygous form of the Matrix gene, producing a snake that is pale, creamy, and reduced-pattern, often appearing almost solid ivory with faint striping or ghosted pattern.
    
    
  • T+ Albino (Recessive – Heterozygous): This mutation retains caramel and brown tones due to the presence of the tyrosinase enzyme.

The Blood Python (Ivory het. T+ Albino) is a stunningly light-coloured animal with