comments:
They're just like blood pythons but more docile/easier to tame. Some of them can get really big, too, especially as they get older. 20-30 pounds isn't unheard of for females. FYI, your first-year setup for a Sumatran can be pretty small and barebones (similar for bloods). They are evolved as highly efficient ambush predators who don't move much (and don't want to). As babies they stay very still for a long, long time. They will get uncomfortable and won't eat if you put them in their adult size enclosure to begin with. Most people set them in 6qt style bins until they put on some size, and then move them into a ~20qt. You can keep them on paper towel or puppy pads, which is smart because all short-tails pee A LOT and it's easy to keep clean, plus they can use the puppy pad/paper towel as a way to burrow and hide. You can keep juveniles and hatchlings without any real heat gradient as long as ambient is right around 80. I highly, HIGHLY recommend starting with a young specimen instead of trying to get a large adult right off the bat. They are not small snakes and older specimens tend to get crankier about having their ownership (and home etc.) transferred. If you want the ultimate resource on keeping any of these species, you want this book. https://www.amazon.com/Passionate-Journey-Short-tailed-Pythons/dp/1978351496 It is an absolute gold mine of all the information you will need to keep your STP (whether you decide on a Sumatran or a blood) happy and healthy for its entire lifespan.