Small Boas/Pythons?

[Minkness]

Not looking at getting anything right away, but I have been thinking about possibly getting a thicker bodied snake in the future. The smaller the better in my book, but must still be able to be handled. Not very interested in BPs but have been thinking of a BRB.

What other small boas/pythons are there?

[Jrich]

I'm not sure how small of a snake you're looking for but try looking into rosy boas and Kenyan sand boas. They do not get very long but still have that nice thickness to them and many different colors/patterns.

[Minkness]

I have looked into those as well, but something about their head shape bothers me. The kenyan morso than the rosey lol.

How big does the rosey get full grown?

[Jrich]

Yeah the Kenyans have that almost shovel shaped head. Excellent for burrowing and disappearing for days. Almost anywhere you look up information about rosy boas it says 2-4ft.

[Minkness]

Do they hide alot?

[SSSSnakes]

Look into Children's Pythons or Spotted Pythons.

[Jrich]

Kenyans hide under the substrate the majority of the time but my rosy cruises around quite a bit in the evening.

[TG22AR]

Look at Nicaraguan BCIs, or other dwarf BCIs. Males obviously are smaller than females.

[Hugsofdoom]

Look into Children's Pythons or Spotted Pythons.

Yeah, Children's are the second(?) smallest python around and have (in my new newbish opinion) a very nice look to them. If I could get another snake without my mom murdering me, that would probably be it. They only grow to around 2-3 feet and are apparently relatively docile. However, they aren't quite mainstreamed and I don't think you could find them at reptile expos or shops (around here, anyways) so one would most likely order one online. You should look into it.

[Snakesitter]

Brazilians, just for reference, get to five or six feet depending on gender. However, they are a very slender snake -- their alternate name, in fact, is the "slender boa." As such, they remain very handleable, and never get large enough to threaten a person. Moderate size and great beauty, all in one awesome package. :-)

[marvelfreak]

Savu Pythons are the fourth smallest pythons in the world. They get to be about the same size as BRB just a bit slimmer. They are very active and curious. They love to climb and burrow. They are fun to watch when they get excited they move around so fast but are a bit clumsily at time.

[Minkness]

6 feet is the max I would go so a BRB would still be considered. While you say they are slender, they are still thicker bodied than say, a corn, rat, or king snake right?

[millertime89]

Look into Children's Pythons or Spotted Pythons.

Stimsons as well. All three are great little animals. SD retics stay pretty small if you get a male that is 100% superdwarf. They stay under 5 feet and a big ball will outweigh them. They're also active so they make a great display animal. Similar body as a BRB and can be more heavily bodied than corns but not by much.

Savu's are cool but can by nippy.

[Minkness]

Retics are gorgeous but I'd be so weary that I would be sold a full sized one instead of an SD =(

[reptiledude987]

If youre dealing with a reputable breeder that shouldnt be an issue.

[millertime89]

Retics are gorgeous but I'd be so weary that I would be sold a full sized one instead of an SD =(

If youre dealing with a reputable breeder that shouldnt be an issue.

Exactly. Travis Kubes, Jason Reed, Kris Brown (Vital Exotics) are all people I would trust to sell pure SDs.

[Minkness]

Hmmm...I'll have to keep that in mind then =)

What is the care needed for an SD retic?

I still rather like the BRBs but know they have a massive humidity requirement.

[Sublimeballs]

Exactly. Travis Kubes, Jason Reed, Kris Brown (Vital Exotics) are all people I would trust to sell pure SDs.

^ agreed. All good people. Pure kalatoa is what you'd be looking for.

Childrens, spotted, Stimsons, savu, SD retics, balls, blood, Borneo short tail, Sumatran short tail, calabar burrowing "python", Green tree python, any of the rainbow boas, sand boas, rosy boas, viper boa, rubber boa, dwarf locality bcis, ATB,ect.... It's really a question of what suits you? What interests you?

[Minkness]

Something active when in the encloser, but also easily handled. Doesn't have to be puppy dog tame all the time, but don't want something that goes for the face every time either. Head shape and patterns are nice as well.

I love the tree pythons but have heard that they can be quite the nasty little things and spend most of their time curled up on a branch.

[millertime89]

Hmmm...I'll have to keep that in mind then =)

What is the care needed for an SD retic?

50-60% humidity, mid 70s for the cool side mid-upper 80s for the hot spot just like most other species. Pretty easy IMO.

[BagnaraSnakes16]

irian jayan carpet python....beautiful snakes and very docile from my experience.

[metalcopper]

Irian Jaya Carpet, Woma Python, or a Dumeril's Boa. The Dumeril's may get a little bigger, thick bodied, and great disposition. The Woma and IJ are thinner and smaller, but also have great dispositions.

[PsychoSnake]

Rosy boas! Coastals are the thickest bodied and not much bigger than the other varieties. My biggest (coastal) female is 35" long. Easy care, they shed fine with low humidity, usually very docile, slow moving, but active/curious in their enclosures around dawn and dusk. If they are going to hide, it'll be during the day. They like to burrow and climb if given the opportunity. Fun snake to watch explore and cuddle on the couch with.

[toddnbecka]

I have 2 yearling pairs of Dominican red mountain boas. They'll most likely grow out to 5-6' as adults, and have really mellow dispositions. They simply never strike or bite, but will sometimes musk when picked up. I was looking at a variety of smaller species too when I ran across them, and have really been happy with them. I do like my little carpet python too, just as mellow but doesn't musk, and will likely be about the same size and build at maturity. They're not thick-bodied snakes like BCI's or BP's, body type is more slender, closer to a rat snake.

[Sublimeballs]

I have 2 yearling pairs of Dominican red mountain boas. They'll most likely grow out to 5-6' as adults, and have really mellow dispositions. They simply never strike or bite, but will sometimes musk when picked up. I was looking at a variety of smaller species too when I ran across them, and have really been happy with them. I do like my little carpet python too, just as mellow but doesn't musk, and will likely be about the same size and build at maturity. They're not thick-bodied snakes like BCI's or BP's, body type is more slender, closer to a rat snake.



Pics of the reds please

[toddnbecka]

Here's pics of the parents of the 2 pairs, got them from 2 different breeders for genetic diversity.
First pair parents, pinker colored is the sire:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/photo1_zps1086983b.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/photo1_zps1086983b.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/photo3_zpsc571f2ce.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/photo3_zpsc571f2ce.jpg.html)

Second pair parents, sire is the darker one in hand:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/1514085_zpsa763fd30.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/1514085_zpsa763fd30.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/1514086_zps24a48674.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/1514086_zps24a48674.jpg.html)

First pair male on arrival:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060461_zps2a126a09.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060461_zps2a126a09.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060460_zps10e6302d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060460_zps10e6302d.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060459_zpsb13922c0.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060459_zpsb13922c0.jpg.html)

first pair female chowing down day-old quail chick:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060470_zps2a0458b8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060470_zps2a0458b8.jpg.html)

[toddnbecka]

Fresh pics, first pair in their 55:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060561_zpsf2a88bbc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060561_zpsf2a88bbc.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060557_zpscdb404f5.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060557_zpscdb404f5.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060556_zpsfbbc79ed.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060556_zpsfbbc79ed.jpg.html)

Second pair in their 38:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060564_zps34dbd72c.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060564_zps34dbd72c.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060563_zpsd2b39ddd.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060563_zpsd2b39ddd.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060562_zps2b15b104.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060562_zps2b15b104.jpg.html)

The colors are variable between day and night, and they show more red as they grow larger/older. First pair mainly feeding on quail chicks, though the male took a (live) hopper mouse last night. Second pair feeding on f/t rat pinks. About the same temperament as our BCI and the carpet python, the first pair were handled more by their breeder and are less inclined to dive for cover and/or musk when picked up.

[Jrich]

The Dominican red mountain boas....how expensive are they? How long do they get and basic care? Gorgeous snakes.

[toddnbecka]

I've seen '14 neonates going for $250-300 each average price, the lower price is usually for the ones that won't take rodents off the bat, and have to be fed anoles until they can be switched over. Not a big deal if you can collect your own feeder anoles or other lizards locally.
Yearlings average around $400 each, and I saw someone on fauna classifieds a while ago wanting to trade some 2 year olds for rosy boas. I was curious about the cash price, and he said he'd take $1500 for a pair. I would too, lol, but he's not likely to get quite that much. I've only seen a few adults f/s and their price varies by color. Average adult size is 5-6', same body type as carpet pythons, same semi-arboreal lifestyle too. Here's a link to a page with detailed care info: Dominican Red Mountain Boa (Epicrates Striatus Striatus SSP) (http://www.dominicanredmountainboa.com/)

[Snakesitter]

Thicker than a corn...but more slender than a boa. They max out around coke can size, and males often stay slimmer than that.

[Snakesitter]

They do, but it's not hard to maintain if you set up your viv right. The real key is limiting ventilation with the outside room.

[ManSlaughter33]

I thought smaller the better, I ended up with a red tail. haha :P

[Minkness]

XD

I love the red tails and the BRBs. I will one day probably own both. A BRB before a red tail though lol.

Until I have the space to set up a PVC enclosure though, I'm sticking to more arid friendly reptiles.

[Jrich]

I've seen '14 neonates going for $250-300 each average price, the lower price is usually for the ones that won't take rodents off the bat, and have to be fed anoles until they can be switched over. Not a big deal if you can collect your own feeder anoles or other lizards locally.
Yearlings average around $400 each, and I saw someone on fauna classifieds a while ago wanting to trade some 2 year olds for rosy boas. I was curious about the cash price, and he said he'd take $1500 for a pair. I would too, lol, but he's not likely to get quite that much. I've only seen a few adults f/s and their price varies by color. Average adult size is 5-6', same body type as carpet pythons, same semi-arboreal lifestyle too. Here's a link to a page with detailed care info: Dominican Red Mountain Boa (Epicrates Striatus Striatus SSP) (http://www.dominicanredmountainboa.com/)

Thank you! Very beautiful animals.

[Snakesitter]

Smart to be safe.

[Sublimeballs]

Here's pics of the parents of the 2 pairs, got them from 2 different breeders for genetic diversity.
First pair parents, pinker colored is the sire:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/photo1_zps1086983b.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/photo1_zps1086983b.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/photo3_zpsc571f2ce.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/photo3_zpsc571f2ce.jpg.html)

Second pair parents, sire is the darker one in hand:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/1514085_zpsa763fd30.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/1514085_zpsa763fd30.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/1514086_zps24a48674.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/1514086_zps24a48674.jpg.html)

First pair male on arrival:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060461_zps2a126a09.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060461_zps2a126a09.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060460_zps10e6302d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060460_zps10e6302d.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060459_zpsb13922c0.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060459_zpsb13922c0.jpg.html)

first pair female chowing down day-old quail chick:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060470_zps2a0458b8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060470_zps2a0458b8.jpg.html)

Thanks for the pics, I want some.

[toddnbecka]

Fresher pics:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060562_zps2b15b104.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060562_zps2b15b104.jpg.html)

This one shows their pink color nicely, it comes out more with each shed:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060564_zps34dbd72c.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060564_zps34dbd72c.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060561_zpsf2a88bbc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060561_zpsf2a88bbc.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060556_zpsfbbc79ed.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060556_zpsfbbc79ed.jpg.html)

[jjhill001]

Just saying, I WILL have a rosy at some point.