Blood Python
Python brongersmai
A stout, non-venomous python of Southeast Asia known for its short, heavy build and rich reddish or blood-colored patterning.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 1.5-2.0 m (5-6.6 ft)
- Range
- Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Thailand
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Overview
The Blood Python is a short but exceptionally stocky non-venomous constrictor native to lowland Southeast Asia. Its common name refers to the deep reddish, orange, or brownish coloration seen in many individuals, particularly in populations from certain regions.
Despite its relatively modest length compared to many pythons, it is remarkably heavy-bodied, giving it a distinctive stout appearance.
How to identify it
- Extremely stocky, heavy-bodied build relative to length
- Coloration ranging from reddish, orange-brown, to tan or gray, often with irregular dark blotches
- Short, thick tail
- Broad, wide head with heat-sensing labial pits
- Vertically elliptical pupils
- Distinguished from related short-tailed pythons by coloration and specific regional distribution
Habitat & range
Inhabits lowland swamps, rice paddies, and agricultural areas across the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Thailand. Often found in wet, low-lying habitats and areas modified by human agriculture.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal and largely terrestrial, moving slowly through swampy and agricultural terrain. Feeds on small mammals, using its powerful, stocky build for constriction. Reproduction is oviparous, with females laying eggs and coiling around them during incubation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Blood Python venomous?
No, it is a non-venomous constrictor.
Why is it called the 'Blood Python'?
Its name comes from the deep reddish or blood-toned coloration seen in many individuals.
Where does it live?
It is found in lowland swamps and agricultural areas across the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Thailand.
Is it a large python?
It is relatively short compared to many pythons but exceptionally heavy-bodied for its length.
Blood Python guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Blood Python.
