convince me on a ball python or red tail boa

beaver51 · 04-09-15, 06:21 PM

I can't decide what to go with. I owned a ball for about 2.5 years but had to rehome him to a friend when I moved. Now that I am settled in my new home I am in search of another snake. I'd like to hear as many opinions and advice about either snake and on which one to get. Pictures of your snakes is always awesome as well. Thanks on advance.

**Boots** · 04-09-15, 11:56 PM

Not really sure how anyone could convince you as most people lean one way of the other. As you already had a ball, I would take it that you were into them when you got him/her. I myself really like RTB's, so the only think I could suggest is that you might want to get to know one before making a decision. They are a great snake.

Jason

bigsnakegirl785 · 04-10-15, 01:23 AM

I'd say they're both great snakes. Of the two, I definitely favor boa constrictors, though. Just weigh the pros and cons, and determine if you'd have the ability to house an adult boa constrictor. They can get rather large and are extremely heavy-bodied so their size is a lot more "intimidating" than a thinner-bodied snake would be at the same length. It's possible for a boa constrictor to get 9'+ depending on subspecies/locale, so be prepared for a large snake taking up a lot of room and possibly eating rabbits.

Then, there are small localities that you could look into that should stay about the same size as a ball python, so in that case, if size is an issue for you you could still go with a boa constrictor. Just look into both of them and decide which one you would personally prefer.

beaver51 · 04-10-15, 09:20 AM

After doing some more thinking I decided I am going to start out again with another ball and when I finish my basement later in the year I can incorporate a nice enclosure for a full grown boa into the mix. Now comes the tricky part of trying to decide what morph to look for in a ball. Any opinions would be great. I currently have a 20g set up for a young ball. My other question is when she gets larger what is the best size enclosure for her. I am curious because I have a 56 gallon column tank empty just sitting here and trying to decide if it would make a good enclosure or if I should just make a new one that's longer and not so tall. Just trying to use what I have before I purchase anything else. Thanks

Moreau · 04-16-15, 11:29 AM

Having owned both, I would say boas are definitely more interesting. A male boa will probably stay smaller, as would central American boas.

elkied243 · 04-16-15, 03:29 PM

Currently own both and am tempted to say "why not both?"
My Ball python is friendly, curious, and loves to be out and about. Every day is like he's in a new tank and he can't get enough.
I am in no way shape or form bashing my boa but he is moody and hissy but has never in 3 years offered to bite! He will explore my room but he also loves to just climb. If I let him he'll spend hours wrapping around my legs no matter how many times I remove him.

I think Ball Pythons are easier to handle and less temperamental but that being said I just met a very grouchy girl. I think honestly find a breeder/store that has both and find the one that you love to handle and then just grow with it! You can make any snake your favorite!

mistersprinkles · 04-24-15, 08:59 AM

Have you considered a coastal carpet?

jjhill001 · 04-24-15, 09:03 AM

Get a rat snake.

mistersprinkles · 04-24-15, 09:20 AM

Rat snakes are pricks...

jjhill001 · 04-24-15, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistersprinkles

Rat snakes are pricks...

Ball Pythons are lazy.

mistersprinkles · 04-24-15, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhill001

Ball Pythons are lazy.

Agreed. Coastal Carpet is a nice middle ground.

jjhill001 · 04-24-15, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistersprinkles

Agreed. Coastal Carpet is a nice middle ground.

I like to think that Bull/Pine snakes are the coastal carpet Python of the colubrid world in terms of still having that thick "big snake" feel while still being active.

sophiedufort · 04-24-15, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaver51

I can't decide what to go with. I owned a ball for about 2.5 years but had to rehome him to a friend when I moved. Now that I am settled in my new home I am in search of another snake. I'd like to hear as many opinions and advice about either snake and on which one to get. Pictures of your snakes is always awesome as well. Thanks on advance.

I have six snakes at the moment. One standard ball python, one albino ball python, one Dumeril's boa, one Colombian red tail boa and two Brazilian rainbow boas. From basic to advanced, in that order. The ball pythons are wonderful pets, very manageable, and able to go past their shyness once they get to know you. The Dumeril's is very tame. The Colombian is very docile too. The Brazilian rainbows are the most advanced, but it doesn't mean that they are not manageable. They are just more independent, can disappear in a heartbeat if you take your eyes off of them, and love to explore. As they grow older, they tend to settle down. All these species make excellent pets. I would not go for a blood python, or for tree snakes. They are highly aggressive and can be very nasty. Some sand boas aren't friendly either. I hope that helps.

bigsnakegirl785 · 04-24-15, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

I have six snakes at the moment. One standard ball python, one albino ball python, one Dumeril's boa, one Colombian red tail boa and two Brazilian rainbow boas. From basic to advanced, in that order. The ball pythons are wonderful pets, very manageable, and able to go past their shyness once they get to know you. The Dumeril's is very tame. The Colombian is very docile too. The Brazilian rainbows are the most advanced, but it doesn't mean that they are not manageable. They are just more independent, can disappear in a heartbeat if you take your eyes off of them, and love to explore. As they grow older, they tend to settle down. All these species make excellent pets. I would not go for a blood python, or for tree snakes. They are highly aggressive and can be very nasty. Some sand boas aren't friendly either. I hope that helps.

lol I'd group my guys like this from easiest to care for to hardest: garters, boa constrictor, Brazilian rainbow boa, ball python, and reticulated python. The retic is only at the end because of the sheer size she'll get to, her husbandry is extremely simple. The bp comes behind her because of pickiness, being extremely prone to stress, and the feeding strikes (which technically goes under stress because he mostly goes on feeding strikes in response to stress, or having too much food). The only reason the BRB comes after the boa constrictor is because of the humidity, which can be hard to balance while trying to keep mold levels down (at least in his current set up). As well as sensitivity to temps and humidity, which as long as you keep a close eye on everything it doesn't make the care any harder.

Honestly I don't see a problem with going with a blood python, especially if the animal they get is CBB, as long as they're willing to put up with the size they get to. They don't get very long, but they get massively heavy. OP does have some experience, so as long as they do their research I don't see the problem. Unless a more experienced blood keeper thinks otherwise.

Either way, I don't think we should be confusing OP with too many snakes choices, which can make it harder to make a decision. They originally only asked about ball pythons vs boa constrictors.