Better starter snake Boa or BP??

[beaglegod]

Just curious how yall feel about various boas vs BP's as a beginers snake, Id love to hear your opinions.

[Big_V]

Ive had bp's for 3 years now...no snake is easy to care for as you have to keep on top on cleaning and fresh water....not too mention temperatures and such....but if you are capable of doing that id suggest the ball pythons. They are friendly snakes and if you get a well establish one you should have no trouble gettin them to feed. Plus bp's stay a managable size...some boas can get pretty big and have a little mean streak in them. My vote is BP's.
Cheers,
Ryan

[Lrptls]

i agree with Ryan mostly. but snakes are all different. bps can be chalenging, people will lie and say your buying a cb when its a wc and it can be pretty agresive and extremly hard to get them to eat, even alot of cbs are hard to feed. they do stay a nice size though. but if you could keep a large snake (a species that can get on average 8-10 feet) you should think about colombian red tail boas. they are my favorite animals and the best type of snake i could ever own. very simple to care for, strong feeding response so easy to feed, wonderful temperments if you care for them right. just do alot of research if you plan on geting something, and continue the research after you get it

[marisa]

I agree. Well except about the mean streak! I have known a couple very friendly boas in my time that friends have owned! :D

But Ball Pythons are *Simple* to care for! They have a slower metabolisim than say corns, so that means you can clean less than every hour (LOL) and they are sweet natured snakes in general (not all and each one of course bu in general)

If you take time and purchase your Ball Python from a breeder known for healthy well feeding captive bred ball pythons you will have a great pet that will most likely feed for you soon after you receive it. They stay good sized like mentioned and are beautiful!

Marisa

[BoidKeeper]

What is easy about a snake that needs to be kept warmer than any other snake? Requires a relative hymidity of at least 60% to have a decent shed. Is head shy and super secrective and goes off food for months at a time? They stop eating if stressed.
In my not so humble opinion ball pythons have one good thing going for them, size, that's it. They are picky eaters can get hooked on one thing and refuse anything else. If you follow the rule of not handeling snakes that are not eating you won't be holding your BP much. I've got ten balls here and all but maybe two are CBB and they're no better when it comes to feeding than the others. A CBB ball comes paracite free but in this day in age there's no reason to buy your animals any other way so the whole CBB balls are better argument is a wash because almost all snakes in our hobby can be bought CBB now so it's a mute point.
Ball pythons are not the perfect pet snake or first snake at all. On the contrary, they are one of the easiest snakes to exploit by the pet trade, so the pet trade has spent time and money to make us all belive that they are the perfect beginer snake. What is perfect about a head shy, picky feeder, secrective, high heat and humidity snake?
I think a Rosy Boa or a BCI is a far better choice. If you can handle the size then a BCI is great. If the size is an issue which it should be for your first snake then I say go with a Rosy Boa. They are small, great feeders, like it dry and not too hot. Generally very docile too.
What could be easier except maybe a corn?
Cheers,
Trevor

[Andy_G]

I agree with Trevor!

[ReptiZone]

Hear hear....Boid Keeper I will drink to that

[AnniesMom]

Just my opinion here, but I find that my BCI's, even Honey Bun at 8.5 feet, are easier and more enjoyable to handle than Annie, my 32" BP. Having said that, the BP has had no health problems, never refused food, and is a fairly *docile* snake. She is the only snake that I have ever been bit by, however. Annie is more active than the BCI's, but I don't trust her not to bite unprovoked. The boas, Jake especially, is very calm and even tempered. I am comfortable letting people, even children, hold him SUPERVISED.

I agree with Boid Keeper, why not a corn? Perhaps you are looking for a more.... impressive snake?Larger?
Whatever your choice, research is very important. I'm aquiring knowledge at an exponential rate lately, LOL!

[HetForHuman]

My first snake was a BCI and she is just awesome, now a little over 7 feet and very handleable and a really easy snake to take care of in my opinion.

The only time i have trouble with her is trying to get her back into her cage after having her out. She never wants to go back in.

I say BCI all the way if the size doesnt bother you.

[BoAddict]

i would have to say a bci too as generally you dont have the issues that you have with balls such as the non feeding that is my only reason i go with bci's and i like the size they get attain.

if you buy a boa as a baby you will be ok with it as a starter

[Invictus]

I agree with Trevor and Tim 110%. BPs are terrible beginner snakes. BCI get quite a bit longer, but weigh about the same because they are not as heavy-bodied. If you think you can handle a full grown BP, you can handle a full grown boa, except that with a boa, if it's not feeding, you are doing something SERIOUSLY wrong. They are usually feeding machines. You also can give them a bigger enclosure. Only one of my BCI even has a hide box, because the others didn't use it even when they did have it, and now even the one who does have a hide has spent the last 2 weeks perched on top of it! They don't seem to get stressed at all, and I have 6 of 'em, so I don't think it's just coincidence. :) Even the one I got that had a NASTY attitude has calmed down (thank God, because she's 9 feet and 25 lbs). :)

[JDouglas]

Right on! I totally agree that boas are better pets for a beginner or anyone in general!

[BoidKeeper]

Let's not forget that it can be a boa with out being a Colombian BCI. There are Rosy Boas, Sand Boas and Hog Island Boas. All boas and all smaller than Colombian Boas.
Cheers,
Trevor

[ohh_kristina]

I keep both balls and boas (among other things). I love my balls to death, and one is a 6 year WC captive. I've had them for a while now, but it wasn't until this year that they started acting up. They are both off feed now and have been for the past three months. It's not anything to worry about, but I can see where someone with little experience would freak out over something like that.

My boa, however, is an eating machine. She is seriously scary when there is a rat in the room, and it's an adventure every feeding day.

go for the BCI!

[beaglegod]

Man Im realy at a loss here guys. Sorry to say this after sooo many of my questions regarding BP's have been answered its. Its just that Ive always wanted to keep a snake and now that Im able to I want to have a real good first experience. Corns are pretty but theres something about pythons and boas that attract me. BP's have the size range I was looking for 4-5 feet, but now that I hear these testimonials Im not sure what I wanna get as my first. Lord knows my wife would freak at the thought of me having a 9 foot snake in the house. But I dont wanna short change myself either , know what I mean?

[marisa]

I am surprised by this. All three of my ball pyhons have eating without problems within two weeks of being here, all take 5 degrees more than my corns, and humidity is simply controlled with a rubbermaid.

I think with enough reading and buying CB from a GOOD breeder, you can't really go wrong with any snake (aside from extreme examples of course) I wish a Ball Python was our first snake as the corn is insane fast and jumps all over the place.

Just IMHO
Marisa

[Tim_Cranwill]

Man, you guys make it sound like ball pythons are the most difficult snakes in the world to keep! :D

They CAN have their long fasts but other than that, they rock!

I would not say they are the BEST beginner snake, but you guys are making them sound like the plague! :D :D

[ChokeOnSmoke]

What about a hogg island boa? They stay around the size you were looking for

[beaglegod]

How difficult are hog island boas to get, and whats the price range?

I figure BP's are fairly easy to find and a normal one costs 50- 80 bucks on average, but Ive never seen a hog island before, except on the net.

[jwsporty]

Well I will put in my two bits. With a house full of colubrids, BP's and one boa; it is always a treat to handle and feed the boa. The size of the boa really doesn't have to be the issue if you start off with a baby and grow it out. Your experience will grow just as much as the boa grows. They are fascinating and fun. The stress factor is definitely less when it comes to the feeding department. My boa has never missed a meal. Both BP's and Boas have there strong and weak points but ultimately I will put my money on the boa. My second one comes this weekend..;)

Good luck with your decision

Jim

[hip]

Size is an issue with Bci they have 5 times the strength you think they have just by looking at them. I have been keeping Boa's for a lot of years now and have for the most part no serious problems have occoured(unless you count a couple of w/c rescues)Folks here did not mention to stay away from the true redtails Suriname's Peruvians,Guyannan's so on and so forth. They have much more strict husbandry requirements and can have very varied temperments not to mention a greater overall size(like the aforementioned 8-10 foot range) with Bci depending on locale expect at least 4 feet (some insular forms) and up to 9 feet or so for pure Colombian stock there are a few 10 footers around but they are very uncommon. I know this is a boa forum (cause I kinda live here) but I would mention childrens pythons Husbandry is very similar to Bci (can't quite remember specifics at the moment "NEED BEER") They stay small are even tempered and good feeders, Then again a corn is super easy. Remember you aren't training a snake the snake is training you, better to start off with light weight first for a while before you hit the "heavy stuff" that way you will spend the rest of your life in the hobby and reap it's rewards.




" I got to keep rocking while I still can Got a two pack habit and motel tan" (Steve Earl")



Hip

[BoidKeeper]

If size is what attracts you to a BP bet a Childrens or spotted python. Get a Jungle or IJ carpet python. There are lots of great snakes to chose from other than a BP that would make a great first snake and not cause you any head haches.
For Boas there are as I and other said Hog Island. Central American BCI are not as nice looking as a Colombian BCI but stay small too. Dumerils mostly stay smaller then Colombian Boas too.
But again I don't think you can beat a Rosy Boa for a first Boa if size matters. And size should matter. Big snakes need big cages and big food. Both of those things cost bigger money.
Something will live on mice for it's whole life would be nice.
Cheers,
Trevor

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Well, i would put my money on the boas. Basically, there are many types of boas that are good beginners snakes and same with some pythons. To name a few boas, that would be pretty good for a beginner: hogg island boa, rosy boa, central american boa, ground boas(several species), sand boas(several species). Those all stay under 6 feet and with a general average in that you could say 5 feet max with the occasional hogg isl boa reaching 6ft(i think thats the record isnt it?). The others that you might start with but are bigger or more complex to care for are: bci, rainbow boa and MAYBE an amazon tree boa. Some smaller pythons are: Childrens python, spotter python, stimsons python, pigmy or anthill python(smallest python in the world, 2 ft max) irian jaya carpet python(stays smaller but a little more complex to care for than a beginner snake), ball python. These all stay under 6 ft as well. Most of the larger pythons(with the exception of the green tree python at 5ft) are not good starter pythons. Just my 2cents.

Chris

If i missed anything, tell me.

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Haha, i put that up at the same time as boidkeeper, coincidence. Yes i forgot to mention dumerils.

[beaglegod]

Just curious though as to how readily available something like a hog island boa is. Are they realy rare and expensive if so wich of the species are easiest to find. Oh and as far as the rosy boas,nice color I just wasnt feeling the shape of the animal, at least not as my first ever to bring home,however I love the head shape and pattern of the hog island boa. Sweet looking snake.

[Tim_Cranwill]

A Hog Isle will run you about $400...

<b>EDIT</b>: I didn't notice you are from the states.... I meant $400 Canadian. It would be less in the US... but I don't know how much exactly. :)

[hip]

Yes Dumerils do stay in a "shorter overall range" they none the less do get quite thick and are super powerfull. Like Trev said a Jungle or IJC would be a good choice too(Jeff F has some freeking screamers) hold on need to get a beer . Back now sorry were was I? kenyans are pretty easy too so If not seeing the boa is no problem you might think about them as well. Just rmember prepare your habatat weeks in advance so you can get all bugs worked out and provide a proper enviroment to your new addition.




Hip

[mrsogle]

My husband has 2 ball pythons and snake sat for 2 other Ball Pythons. In our expierence, the Ball Pythons have been the best snakes. Now we have 20 different snakes but the BP's are my favorites.

[BoaBoi]

My first two snakes were Ball Pythons, they were very easy to carefor and never ever went off feed. I may have gotten lucky or I just treated them right, what ever the reason Balls are very good pets. I hear that they go off feed alot, well I think thats a small percentage at best. I not have a BCI(Columbian) and I enjoy her as much or more than my BP's even though they were sweeties. I prefer larger snakes maybe that's why, but as far as MY experiance has gone, and by no means am I an expert, they both make great beginner pets. I realize that all snakes even boas go off feed though I have never had a problem with it, it all depends on the snake itself.

James~

[ClarkC]

Rubber boa's They are small,never bite,eat great,Can be kept in a rack or 20 gal.
tank with no heat source. Great little snakes! Before I get flamed. Let me say this. The ones I have kept are Oregon and washington locality. And always eat. I
have heard the california localities CAN be a little picky. And you will need a under
tank heat source if you are going to breed (for the female).