Blood Python, BRB, or Dumerils boa?

[AndrewM1217]

This wouldn't be for at least a year, but it's fun to think about the prospect of another snake! Currently I have only a spotted Python and if I were to ever get a second snake, these 3 species really interest me.

I know a good deal about the requirements and temperaments of each, but just wanted some personal experience stories!

[Wingbeats]

I'm pretty biased, since I've never owned anything else, but I ADORE my rainbow boas.

The only tricky thing with them is the high humidity. But if you get that right, they are easy otherwise...good feeders, fine with handling, and preferring cooler temperatures. That last one depends on your house (AC seems like a must in the summer) but for me, the temp requirements are easy.

I have two. They can be nippy when very young and I move too fast to pick em up, or if I let go of one onto the floor and then "re-capture" her. Otherwise, mine are gentle and calm in my hands. Also, the iridescence looks brighter in real life compared to photographs :) BRBs are a species that glows.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I'd second the BRB as well. Humidity shouldn't be too difficult if you use a tub or PVC set up, just make sure to stay away from heat lamps, and keep ventilation to a minimum. RHPs and heat tape should be perfect to provide heat (you don't need much of it, depending on how cold you keep your house). I never needed an A/C with mine even during the summer when the room climbed to 85F+, but he had cool moss to bury in to keep himself cool, his heat tape only heats a small portion of his moss so the rest of it stays cool since his ambients aren't being raised.

So far neither of mine are nippy (but one has only been here a few hours haha), as babies they can be nippy as Wingbeats mentioned, but that's true for most species.

They don't get too large, they're probably the smallest of the three you mentioned, averaging around 5', with 6' being large but not too uncommon, and 7' is very very rare and I'm not sure if they actually reach that length. Although they get a decent length, they are a very thin species so they won't appear as large as a blood python or Dumeril's of the same length.

They are very sensitive to husbandry, especially as babies, so if you're not confident in your abilities to keep consistently low temps and high humidity, a Dumeril's boa might be your best choice. Blood pythons are also very sensitive to humidity levels and can dehydrate rather quickly.

[Tsubaki]

I think you should get what you want, just know that a full grown bloodpython with a nasty attitude is really something to be wary of. They're quite different from an angry dumerils or rainbow boa. Also they're a bit harder to hook due to their girth. :)

[reptiledude987]

Best advice I can give on this is do your research on the care required for these 3 species. the care they require is very different.

As far as bloods go the best description Ive heard for them is that theyre for snake lovers not reptile lovers. they get a good size and weight and can have quite an attitude attached to them.

At the end of the day just make sure that whatever you decide on is within your ability and youre prepared for the different care that each of these animals require.