Your Reptile and Amphibian Resource and Information Site

Back to Boa Constrictors Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area  

Boa Constrictors Forum

Z.G.   Z.G.   Sra   Z.G.   Gabonica16   Chezequerz   SusanC   Sra   Punkrockchick   Chezequerz   SusanC   Sra   SusanC   Grimwarbane   Sra   Grimwarbane   Sra   Grimwarbane   Sra   SusanC   Carpondro17   SphoOn  
 Member  Message

 #1647925


Z.G.
View Profile

 New to this!

I am thinking about getting a boa and I need to some photos to decide if I want a boa or ball python. I would like something AT THE MAX of around 6’. Some of the more uneducated people on other sites say "OMG They get up to 12 feet!!" and I just think, yeah for a BCC or fairly uncommon female BCI. Anyway, what do you think about boas vs. balls? I will be getting this around Friday or Saturday so quick help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
ZG
03/04/08  06:32pm

 #1647927


Z.G.
View Profile



   Message To: Z.G.   In reference to Message Id: 1647925


 New to this!

Also, how much should a BCI weigh?

Thanks again,
ZG
03/04/08  06:33pm

 #1648006


Sra
View Profile



   Message To: Z.G.   In reference to Message Id: 1647927


 New to this!

Um....
I think if you had done your research then that would have made your decision itself. The only way you should determine what day you get a snake on is if you and a breeder (not petco) decide to pick it up or have it shipped. Reptile shows, count too.
Do your research, it’s clear you don’t know much by the questions you’ve asked.
03/04/08  07:17pm

 #1648024


Z.G.
View Profile



   Message To: Sra   In reference to Message Id: 1648006


 New to this!

Suprisingly, I have done quite a bit of research on both species and they both seem great! THAT is why I cannot make up my mind.

Thanks,
ZG
03/04/08  07:25pm

 #1649256


Gabonica16
View Profile



   Message To: Z.G.   In reference to Message Id: 1648024


 New to this!

bump
03/05/08  04:45pm

 #1650176


Chezequerz
View Profile



   Message To: Sra   In reference to Message Id: 1648006


 New to this!

sra thats presumptive he only asked one question, which he should get. He didnt say he was gonna order it then only that he was getting it this could imply that he knew somewhere with both species.

ill answer ure post best i can

Pros of ball python keeping:
tame as hell
great temper
more likely to ball up than strike out
dont need a large enclousure
beautfiull colourations
good beginners snake
slow moving
not to big nor to small
can live a long time

cons of ball pythons:
they leave there hides about 20% of there lives
i tend to get more accidents regarding waste with my ball
wild caught are fussy eaters or simply non eaters but captive breds do this no more than any other snake


pro to a boa:
there attractive snakes
very docile
mine is cleaner than my python
more likely to be on show
can live a long life
need relatively low humidity


Cons to a boa:
the amount of mess when full grown i hear is insanely high
if a ball bites u it is unlikely to cut ure skin open (my ball bit me recently it was my fault and it didnt tear any skin) if a boa bites u it will inevitably make u bleed depending on the boas side
larger specimens need multiple people to get it out of its tank
not suitable around mammalian pets like cats or small dogs
not a pet to keep near small children particularly unsupervised


a word on boas:
they are the product of YOU. They are what u make of them if you neglect it or give it reason to hate u then u are in trouble (unless the idea of a large constrictor bite every time u open the tank appeals to u). To avoid an angry snake get a baby and handle the little guy or gall all through its life say 2-3 times a week for a baby and maybe once a week or less for an adult (unless u are capable of handling it without help).

heres my snakes maybe they can help

this is fluffy my 1 year old 31 inch male ball python (2 and a hlaf feet only a half foot away from the minimum adult size)








and this is my male guyanan red tail boa (hes about 26 inchs so evidently not too old)








by the way most boa constrictors will have males reaching 6-8 feet whereas all balls will be in 3-5 feet if you want a snake no bigger than 6 feet i believe either hog island or dumerils (one of the 2 the other species gets pretty big i no that much) will be what ure after but red tails are great pets as are balls let me now how u get on
03/06/08  11:45am

 #1650229


SusanC
View Profile



   Message To: Chezequerz   In reference to Message Id: 1650176


 New to this!

well I guess the answer to this... since you are getting this snake this weekend... you already have everything set up? which snake you get would depend on size of enclosure etc... so... whatcha got? that’ll help us help you
03/06/08  12:57pm

 #1650600


Sra
View Profile



   Message To: Chezequerz   In reference to Message Id: 1650176


 New to this!

Quote:

sra thats presumptive he only asked one question



Ok... first off he asked a few questions, many of which would be answered if he had looked into balls or boas more. And what I meant by the dating (ordering, ect.) thing, well what I meant was unless you’re having a snake delivered or are picking it up, or going to a reptile show, you should never really rush into getting a snake on a certain day. What made me kind of angry was the fact that the OP did not know what he was coming home with, and it seemed he was rushing his decision by needing to know by saturday/friday. Asking a question, such as "how big do they get" clearly shows he did not look into things as he should have. If you look on any reptile website carelist, such as NERD or VPI or Boaphile, they have all that pretty much covered.
I just don’t understand why based off of his "research" he should still be having to ask questions such as "what snake to get", because I can see how a snake’s husbandry is going to affect if I keep it or not.
And I agree, boas and pythons are equally as neat, I have both myself and they are awesome. If you’re interested in a small boa, a Hogg Island would be your best bet.
I’m sorry if I came off as "presumptive", but I, like many other snake lovers just want the best for any animal out there. Rushing into a purchase is the number one reason there are so many pets (not just snakes!) out there that are homeless, neglected and in need of proper homes. There are too many people out there that really don’t know what they get themselves into, and it usually ends up making the good keepers (like me and a lot of other people on these forums) looking like the bad ones. Just my two cents.
Sara
03/06/08  06:23pm

 #1651115


Punkrockchick
View Profile



   Message To: Sra   In reference to Message Id: 1650600


 New to this!

I have to agree with sra.If you are asking how big a snake gets then you obviously havent done your research.I would say start out with the ball python.They are really tame and not really hard to take care of.They are a good snake for a beginner.My ball python was my first snake.
03/06/08  10:47pm

 #1651251


Chezequerz
View Profile



   Message To: Sra   In reference to Message Id: 1650600


 New to this!

sorry if I seem rude but he did say he wants photos and opinions in this thread anyway lol. But I have to agree on research I never had a bci but I always thought they grew larger than 6 feet. Yeah most people here want the best for the reptiles but from my experience people are less likely to do what’s rite if it seems like someone is using it against them. If we all use an approach that seems hostile then they won’t do what they should the forum will die out etc. But still zg u should follow sra’s advice

Hmmm sra any photos ?
03/07/08  02:58am

 #1651398


SusanC
View Profile



   Message To: Chezequerz   In reference to Message Id: 1651251


 New to this!

Ball Pythons are NOT good beginner snakes.... yes they tolerate being handled... and if taken care of properly.. they are hearty eaters... but ideally... Ball Python enclosures need to be set up several days in advance... the right temps and humidity achieved... THEN add your snake. Ball Pythons get extremely sick if their very strict needs are not met...it is a common misconception that they are good beginner snakes... just look on forum... there are a lot of sick BP’s... and that is b/c people jump into them without fully understanding that this isn’t a snake that you can stick in a box with a toilet paper hide and say ’there ya go lil buddy" and tell your mommy that you’ll teach it not to bark.. lmao It’s obvious that this person WANTS a snake and at least came up here for advice... so here is his advice... get a book on Ball Pythons... and another on Boas.. I recommend Barron’s Boas.. a Complete Pet Owners Manual. This book covers everything.. the different types of boas... their adult sizes.. what they eat... etc. Boas are more forgiving if you make a husbandry mistake. Barron also has a Ball Python book.. and there is a lot of information out there. I suggest you read... ask questions (which you’re doing and that’s a good thing read ...read some more... and just when you think you know what you’re talking about... read the book again.. and THEN pick out a snake. Good luck and we truly are interested in what you pick out and look forward to having you participate in forum with your thoughts and ideas.
Susan
03/07/08  10:00am

 #1651579


Sra
View Profile



   Message To: SusanC   In reference to Message Id: 1651398


 New to this!

Yes, lots of photos actually :D
Herbert, my BP:




Seamus, my BRB:



(I would not recommend a Brazilian Rainbow Boa for a beginner though!)
This is my Hogg Island/Pastel Columbian cross that I’m picking up next weekend. These guys get about 5-6 feet about, especially the males get on the smaller end of the spectrum. I think I’m going to name this little beauty Marley :)




And pretty soon I’ll be picking up a male Morelia Bredli. There are pretty rare, very "underdog" type snakes. They really don’t get the credit they deserve! This isn’t mine, but here is a picture of what one looks like:



03/07/08  02:00pm

 #1651655


SusanC
View Profile



   Message To: Sra   In reference to Message Id: 1651579


 New to this!

great pics... beautiful snakes!
03/07/08  03:07pm

 #1652314


Grimwarbane
View Profile



   Message To: Z.G.   In reference to Message Id: 1647925


 New to this!

I`d stay away from the ball pythons-regardless of CB or WC-ALOT of them have feeding issues-how`s about a childrens or spotted?-Anterisia are great little pythons that always seem to have a good appetite!-they get around 3-4 ft-Females a little bigger sometimes-Docile too!-If you think you can handle a bit bigger-try the Jungle carpets-6-8 ft(meaning the morellia cheynei)-fiesty as babies yes-but gentle handleing will help them grow out of it-My neonate carpets(of all the sub species) as babies are strikey-but within 6 months tame down really well-they are an active curious species remeniscent of "mini retics" in my opinion-can`t go wrong with a carpet python!-(here are some pics for you of my various carpets)-Plus the carpets you can find at just about any reptile show in your area!-And by the way-my male dumerils is great-my female is kind of nasty-and she`s big-13 lbs and almost 6 ft-she does hurt when she bites!-lol!!Hogg Islands are nice too but Ive never owned one-I do have boa constrictor imperators-and the females are big-but pretty even tempered-fits nicely into a 432 vision cage!-Whatever you do decide on-do your homework because it will pay off in the end!-Good Luck!
03/07/08  11:03pm

 #1652358


Sra
View Profile



   Message To: Grimwarbane   In reference to Message Id: 1652314


 New to this!

Dude,
I really think seeing your Bredli made me want to get one so badly.
So thanks, I found one of the best snakes around to own because of you!
All of your Morelia are beautiful though, great collection!
Sara
03/07/08  11:53pm

 #1652366


Grimwarbane
View Profile



   Message To: Sra   In reference to Message Id: 1652358


 New to this!

Thank you Sarah!-he`s a great snake-(Truly-morelia are some of my favorite pythons-all of them!)I`ve bred him this year with my female JungleXcoastal-I can`t wait to see what happens with that!-check it out-
03/08/08  12:10am

 #1652394


Sra
View Profile



   Message To: Grimwarbane   In reference to Message Id: 1652366


 New to this!

NICE!
You will definitely need to keep us posted on that!! (and I know other people will be interested in that pairing too!!)
Thank you Susan for the complement,
Let’s see your collection!
Sara
03/08/08  01:08am

 #1652399


Grimwarbane
View Profile



   Message To: Sra   In reference to Message Id: 1652394


 New to this!

She`s going through her shed now-she`ll lay in the next couple of days-I have the incubator up and running-That is a cool paring up-but-Look at this-If I can pull this off-I`ll be the happiest man alive-My Male CoastalXJungle carpet with my Female albino burmese!-would be a Carpese python!-I`m loving it!-Wish me luck!!!
03/08/08  01:16am

 #1652405


Sra
View Profile



   Message To: Grimwarbane   In reference to Message Id: 1652399


 New to this!

OH man!!!!!!
So are you single or WHAT?! haha
I cannot even begin to imagine what will come out of THAT!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for ya, cannot wait to see the results man,
great snakes, makes me even more interested in the morelia group.
Thanks for sharing those incredible snakes of yours :)
Sara
03/08/08  01:43am

 #1652791


SusanC
View Profile



   Message To: Sra   In reference to Message Id: 1652405


 New to this!

You’re welcome Sara! Hubby took the digital camera to Daytona Bike Week... but I promise as soon as he returns.. I’ll try to get some pix taken. I’ve promised a few others too. I’ll do my best.
Suz
03/08/08  01:20pm

 #1653543


Carpondro17
View Profile



   Message To: Grimwarbane   In reference to Message Id: 1652399


 New to this!

Oh man that would be coool!
03/08/08  11:59pm

 #1677536


SphoOn
View Profile



   Message To: Carpondro17   In reference to Message Id: 1653543


 New to this!

that 8th snake is a jungle carpet Grimwarban??



03/27/08  06:27am


Back to Boa Constrictors Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area