Blood Python (Matrix het. T+ Albino)
Python brongersmai
Common Names: Blood Python, Brongersmai Python
(T+ = Tyrosinase-Positive Albino, recessive morph)
Species Overview
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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.
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Appearance:
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Matrix (Incomplete Dominant - Visual): This super form of Ivory leads to an animal with a pink tongue and more pixelated side patterns. Being an incomplete dominant gene, the Matrix trait can display varying levels of intensity depending on how many copies of the gene are present.
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T+ Albino (Recessive – Heterozygous): This mutation retains caramel and brown tones due to the presence of the tyrosinase enzyme.
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Matrix (Incomplete Dominant - Visual): This super form of Ivory leads to an animal with a pink tongue and more pixelated side patterns. Being an incomplete dominant gene, the Matrix trait can display varying levels of intensity depending on how many copies of the gene are present.
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Distribution: Wild-type blood jpythons are native to Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and nearby islands.
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Habitat: They thrive in swampy forests, marshlands, and humid lowland habitats, making use of dense ground cover.
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Behaviour: A terrestrial ambush predator, relying on camouflage and power to capture rodents, birds, and other small prey.
Captive Care
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Special Considerations: They do best in naturalistic, humid setups with deep substrate, which supports hydration and burrowing behaviour.
Genetics Note
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Matrix (Incomplete Dominant - Visual): This super form of Ivory leads to an animal with a pink tongue and more pixelated side patterns. Being an incomplete dominant gene, the Matrix trait can display varying levels of intensity depending on how many copies of the gene are present.
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T+ Albino (Recessive – Heterozygous): This mutation retains caramel and brown tones due to the presence of the tyrosinase enzyme.
The Blood Python (Matrix het. T+) is a animal with vibrant, pixelated patterns with the possibility to create T+ albino offspring with or without matrix traits.