Beginner/intermediate snake

Jordan Compton · 06-12-16, 06:03 PM

Hello, I have had my ball python cuddles for about 9 months now and he is doing fantastic. I am now looking into getting another Python or boa. I'm thinking along the lines of a Brazilian rainbow boa, woma python, Colombian boa or hog island boa. What other suggestions do you all have? I would like the snake to be a bit larger then the ball python but by any means more then I can handle. Also I live on Vancouver island Canada and have a breeder near me that produces Angolan pythons. How difficult are they to keep.

Thanks a lot
Jordan

albertagirl · 06-14-16, 10:35 AM

I'm just researching these myself. They sound even easier to keep than balls so far, but price might be an issue. How much are they selling for out there?

SWDK · 06-14-16, 11:40 AM

Dumerils Boas are quite nice. They don't get very lengthy, but have some thickness to them. Easy to care for and eat like a pig.

**Andy_G** · 06-14-16, 12:24 PM

Angolans are larger than ball pythons with beaded scales. They get obese extremely easily and are not common in the hobby and therefore expensive, but make excellent captives. Not hard to keep but it's very important to feed them properly.

My vote would be a colombian boa.

sirtalis · 06-14-16, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

Angolans are larger than ball pythons with beaded scales. They get obese extremely easily and are not common in the hobby and therefore expensive, but make excellent captives. Not hard to keep but it's very important to feed them properly.

My vote would be a colombian boa.

kinda like savannah monitors, nobody keeps them properly, if you set it up in a proper enclosure obesity isn't really a problem

**Andy_G** · 06-14-16, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirtalis

kinda like savannah monitors, nobody keeps them properly, if you set it up in a proper enclosure obesity isn't really a problem

These guys are definitely more active than ball pythons and therefore should certainly be given a bit of space, but even if you give them the space they need and deserve, mostly due to their naturally arid environment and at times scarce food supply, they are hardwired to really pack on the fat reserves. Small prey items every two weeks works amazing for adults.

They are one species that actually does pretty well in a display enclosure too. All of this coming from a friend who keeps them as I don't have first hand experience with them.

**EL Ziggy** · 06-14-16, 03:54 PM

Nothing beats a carpet python imho.

Jordan Compton · 06-14-16, 09:12 PM

Thanks everybody. Angolans are going for about 1000 here. I'm not really sure as don didn't put a price up anywhere I can see. I really would like to get a snake that would be comfortable in a 4x2x2 for its adult life. The brb and woma really appeal to me just because of their size and temperament. Carpets could be a good option thought.

Lefitte · 06-15-16, 12:04 AM

I'm a huge supporter of anyone getting a BRB. I have a king, hognose, and BRB and my boa is by far my favorite, and I hate choosing favorites. I love the easy way he moves, his curiosity, and the way he actually holds on. I can do things with my hands as he wrapped around my arm and rarely fear of him falling and he's only a year old so he's still quite small. Mine also happens to be extremely docile. The only time he has ever struck was in the first two weeks after I got him and then twice when I set him down and let him go free then tried to pick him back up [which is common]. He's hardly ever out when there's light, but you can make the cage all pretty and jungle-like so it's not totally bland, even better if you use real plants which I don't. And humidity isn't that hard to keep up with. I live in the desert and usually spray every other day to keep it over 90%.

Jordan Compton · 06-15-16, 08:54 AM

Ya, a brb would be a good option but I may want something diurnal such as the woma. How active are carpets and brb? I don't want another pet rock like the ball python.

**EL Ziggy** · 06-15-16, 09:39 AM

My carpets are usually perched on a branch but they get pretty active especially when they're hungry! They're really fun to handle too because even though they stay on the move they're more curious than flighty. There's also a lot of diversity with carpets as well in terms of size and appearance. Just an all around great snake if you ask me.