Better starter snake Boa or BP??

[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!

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!

[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).