View our video on YouTube introducing Sumatran Short Tail Pythons.
The Sumatran Short Tail is a stocky dark colored python that gives off a “big snake” vibe while staying under six feet in length. They are closely related to Blood pythons but are their own separate species. Despite an undeserved reputation for being moody, Sumatran short tail pythons are growing in popularity. Short tails come in several natural color variations, black head, brown head, chrome head, pumpkin head; and one morph, the caramel albino. Hatchlings are typically lighter in color and become much darker with age.
Common names: Sumatran, Shorty, SSTP, curtus
Natural History: Originating from the island of Sumatra, these short tail pythons live a terrestrial life as ambush predators on the forest floor or near swampy rice plantations. They prefer dark and cramped hiding places such as leaf litter, burrows and low hanging palm fronds. Sumatran short tail pythons face many challenges in the wild including exploitation for the skin trade.
Lifespan: 15-25+ years
Average size: 4-5 feet long. Weighing in around 15-20 pounds, with males being slightly smaller than females.
Temperature: A heat gradient of 78 cool end and 83 warm end.
Humidity: High- 75%+, a large water bowl and humidity holding substrate will help maintain proper levels. It is important to have adequate ventilation and air flow. Short tail pythons are prone to respiratory infections when exposed to stale wet conditions.
Feeding: Short tails will readily accept frozen/thawed rats. Under two years old should be fed weekly. From two - four years they should be fed every 2 weeks. As an adult, a large rat every 3 weeks (or less) is appropriate. Short tail pythons may be a large wide-set snake, but they are also prone to obesity. You should be able to see and feel their prominent spine but also pinch a small layer of fat between your fingers. Overfeeding can lead to health problems and a shorter life span.
Enclosure: This species prefers smaller enclosures with lots of hiding spaces to feel safe. As a hatchling, they need small tubs (like a shoebox) for about the first year. As an adult, a 4ft x 2ft x 2ft enclosure or larger will suffice. Lighting is not required. They need a large water bowl and multiple places to hide. Substrate can be anything as they do like to burrow, but cypress mulch or coco chip is easy to maintain and helps keep humidity high.
Bowel movements: It is completely normal for a Sumatran short tail python to withhold defecating for months on end. It's been noted they can have no bowel movement for up to a year. On top of having slow metabolisms, it’s theorized that they store mass amounts of waste product in their tail-end in order to counter-balance their heavy hard strike. They do, however, urinate A LOT; therefore a strict cleaning regime must be upheld!
Tap training: Another unique thing about short tail pythons is their amazing hard fast food response. To avoid being the target of this, it is important to first approach the snake with caution. We don’t know if they’re asleep, or calm, or ready to eat. It is suggested that a snake hook (or other object) be used to gently tap the snake when first approaching. Once the snake is aware of you, use the snake hook to move their face in the opposite direction of you. Then, reach in and grab the mid-section of the body and begin to pull out. Sumatran short tails are smart and instantly drop out of food mode when tap trained.
Handling: Sumatran short tail pythons do not hold “onto you” like many other species do. They’re kind of like limp fish. Short tails are very terrestrial, so much so, that they are afraid of falling and will “freak” out if they don’t feel secure. It’s important to go slow and support their entire bodies when handling.
A Short Guide to the Sumatran Short Tail Python (Python curtus)
16.08.2021