clintdowns
Member
I am wanting to get into the snakes. I have been leaning towards the Ball Pythons. I would just like to get everyones opinion and see what that tells me.
Thanks
Thanks
-
In case most of you have not noticed, I made changes to the donation amounts as well as the durations for all of the paid membership levels. Things are winding down here, and this seems to be the most prudent way to deal with the "end of life" period of this site.
Contributor level members - $10 per 30 days
Sponsors - Eliminated
Benefactor level members - $25 per 30 days
Endowment level members - $50 per 30 days
Account Upgrades Page -
Responding to email notices you receive.
**************************************************
In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.
Ball Pythons or Boas to keep, and WHY??????
- Thread starter clintdowns
- Start date
Focal
New member
Real hard question without giving a biased answer. Which type of boa's are you looking into?
IMO, most boa's are a little more forgiving than ball's in regards to husbandry. Boa's are better eaters (with an exception) than balls overall, I think. Boa's will most likely get larger than balls, of course depending on which boa you get (i.e. kenyan).
If you plan on breeding, you will have larger litter's and it will take longer to get up to breeding size for most boas. BP's are usually quicker to the punch and have smaller litters that need to be incubated.
I think balls tend to be a little more docile but I am only speaking from my experience and I'm not as deep into boa's.
IMO, most boa's are a little more forgiving than ball's in regards to husbandry. Boa's are better eaters (with an exception) than balls overall, I think. Boa's will most likely get larger than balls, of course depending on which boa you get (i.e. kenyan).
If you plan on breeding, you will have larger litter's and it will take longer to get up to breeding size for most boas. BP's are usually quicker to the punch and have smaller litters that need to be incubated.
I think balls tend to be a little more docile but I am only speaking from my experience and I'm not as deep into boa's.
Boa species are far more interactive(tolerant)then ball's
and IMO I get a better return for my efforts as a caretaker working with BCI.
My past experience with ball pythons was good over all,until that side of the hobby took off into lunatic proportions of greed.(that was 5-6 yrs ago).
To me balls are as exciting as a rock collection,with both having an equal return.
and IMO I get a better return for my efforts as a caretaker working with BCI.
My past experience with ball pythons was good over all,until that side of the hobby took off into lunatic proportions of greed.(that was 5-6 yrs ago).
To me balls are as exciting as a rock collection,with both having an equal return.
first snake was a BP, but the roommate kept him and I've focused on boas for the past 13 years however I did just trade one of my baby corns for a baby BP at the local herp society meeting... can't believe I own a BP again! haha
anyways, both have pros and cons and it really comes down to just getting what you will enjoy the most.
Ball Pythons
Pros (IMO)
huge variety of color/pattern morphs
smaller size/smaller caging requirements
very popular
Cons (IMO)
more likely to be stubborn feeders
small clutch size (could be a positive depending on how you look at it)
generally shy snakes, not always of course
Boas
Pros (IMO)
generally outgoing snakes, high degree of tolerance to handling
large litter size (can be a negative, depending on how you look at it)
generally good feeders
Cons (IMO)
large size/large caging requirements
very large individuals may require 2 people to handle
not as much variety of 'affordable' morphs ($300 or less)
The BP I had back in the 90s was very shy, preferred live. The BP I just got also prefers live but is a very outgoing, curious little gal. My boas are all generally 'friendly' and curious, a couple prefer to be left alone and let me know it, all take f/t without issues.
I suggest finding people that keep both near you and handle both, check out lots of pictures and then get one of each.
anyways, both have pros and cons and it really comes down to just getting what you will enjoy the most.
Ball Pythons
Pros (IMO)
huge variety of color/pattern morphs
smaller size/smaller caging requirements
very popular
Cons (IMO)
more likely to be stubborn feeders
small clutch size (could be a positive depending on how you look at it)
generally shy snakes, not always of course
Boas
Pros (IMO)
generally outgoing snakes, high degree of tolerance to handling
large litter size (can be a negative, depending on how you look at it)
generally good feeders
Cons (IMO)
large size/large caging requirements
very large individuals may require 2 people to handle
not as much variety of 'affordable' morphs ($300 or less)
The BP I had back in the 90s was very shy, preferred live. The BP I just got also prefers live but is a very outgoing, curious little gal. My boas are all generally 'friendly' and curious, a couple prefer to be left alone and let me know it, all take f/t without issues.
I suggest finding people that keep both near you and handle both, check out lots of pictures and then get one of each.
Payara
Member
Why have you limited yourself to boas and balls?
Have you also considered carpet pythons? Or blood pythons? When I was looking into my first snake, i ran into the same questions as you. But I wanted something colorful, easy to care, something I was able to handle, and unique with out dropping more than 300 dollars. In the end my 4 choice came down to super dwarf rectic, woma, black blood python, and carpet python. Take your time and research in all the requirements and what you want from a snake.
Have you also considered carpet pythons? Or blood pythons? When I was looking into my first snake, i ran into the same questions as you. But I wanted something colorful, easy to care, something I was able to handle, and unique with out dropping more than 300 dollars. In the end my 4 choice came down to super dwarf rectic, woma, black blood python, and carpet python. Take your time and research in all the requirements and what you want from a snake.
crotalusadamanteus
Brother Infidel
Fixed! 
first snake was a BP, but the roommate kept him and I've focused on boas for the past 13 years however I did just trade one of my baby corns for a baby BP at the local herp society meeting... can't believe I own a BP again! haha
anyways, both have pros and cons and it really comes down to just getting what you will enjoy the most.
Ball Pythons
Pros (IMO)
huge variety of color/pattern morphs
smaller size/smaller caging requirements
very popular
Cons (IMO)
more likely to be stubborn feeders
small clutch size (could be a positive depending on how you look at it)
generally shy snakes, not always of course
Boas won't eat them
Boas
Pros (IMO)
generally outgoing snakes, high degree of tolerance to handling
large litter size (can be a negative, depending on how you look at it)
generally good feeders
Cons (IMO)
large size/large caging requirements
very large individuals may require 2 people to handle
not as much variety of 'affordable' morphs ($300 or less)
Won't eat Ball Pythons
The BP I had back in the 90s was very shy, preferred live. The BP I just got also prefers live but is a very outgoing, curious little gal. My boas are all generally 'friendly' and curious, a couple prefer to be left alone and let me know it, all take f/t without issues.
I suggest finding people that keep both near you and handle both, check out lots of pictures and then get one of each.
mxracer4life
"Daniel Boone"
Same here. Ball pythons are fun when your 15, but they are boring. Unless your producing the next best morph I don't see any excitement in keeping them. I am a boa guy, always will be. Probably for the same reasons everyone else here is. Have you posted this in the ball python section? If you haven't, you might get a better comparative hearing from us boa freaks and the boring ball keepers.
bear
Recovering Boa addict
In addition to all of the other comments I think of it this way...
This hobby is all about taking a base animal, whether it be a ball python or a boa, and selectively breeding for traits we would like to see on it. When your thinking of it in these terms, you should probably pick the base animal you like the most. In my opinion, ball pythons are some of the ugliest normal snakes I have seen, from their head structure to their colors juuuust ugly. You don't really see people showing off their new normal ball pythons and everyone commenting how unique and good looking it is... On the other hand, a nice normal boa can be an amazing animal to have on its own without any selective breeding. I like working with animals I love all by themselves. I have learned over the years, if you don't love the animals you are working with right down to the ugliest one of them, it gets pretty hard to stick with it.
This hobby is all about taking a base animal, whether it be a ball python or a boa, and selectively breeding for traits we would like to see on it. When your thinking of it in these terms, you should probably pick the base animal you like the most. In my opinion, ball pythons are some of the ugliest normal snakes I have seen, from their head structure to their colors juuuust ugly. You don't really see people showing off their new normal ball pythons and everyone commenting how unique and good looking it is... On the other hand, a nice normal boa can be an amazing animal to have on its own without any selective breeding. I like working with animals I love all by themselves. I have learned over the years, if you don't love the animals you are working with right down to the ugliest one of them, it gets pretty hard to stick with it.
Focal
New member
LOL @ BP bashing 
mxracer4life
"Daniel Boone"
LOL @ BP bashing
I use to keep em so I know how "boring" they are, lol.
Focal
New member
Hey I never denied it! LOL
Some do have their occasional, admirable quirks.
Some do have their occasional, admirable quirks.
bear
Recovering Boa addict
What kind of snake is afraid of a mouse?
Get a BOA! lol
Get a BOA! lol
Focal
New member
bear
Recovering Boa addict
I used to keep a couple racks full of those things and It felt like I had about a dozen whiny kids... I like the all white ones... I want mine upside down just outside of my hide.... I want mine fresh.... I want mine live... Stay out of my room... I'm not hungry...
mxracer4life
"Daniel Boone"
You're a hoot Alberto! Funny stuff.
Morelia4life
J.S. Morelia.
Well if you only want to choose between a boa or a ball python, I think the answer is pretty clear. Get the Boa if you want a snake that will eat, that doesn't mind handling, that will actually do more then sit there in its hide all day long. I use to have ball pythons back when I was 15 or 16. I think I traded him for a King snake or something like that. Any ways, like someone else said have you tried looking into other snakes? Boas are nice snakes. I have actually been trying to make a choice between a Snow boa, a pair of Jungle carpets or Albino Blood pythons.
Back to your question. If you want a snake that might not eat, that will just lay there and look ugly unless you get a morph and to me only 3 or 4 morphs look nice then get a ball python.
Back to your question. If you want a snake that might not eat, that will just lay there and look ugly unless you get a morph and to me only 3 or 4 morphs look nice then get a ball python.
jamesa2580
Member
I keep both and like both for different reasons - I keep 4 boas - a pair of snows, an albino het for snow, and a normal. I like them all for the reasons everyone else mentioned. Their personalities are definitely more fun. I've also kept CA (dwarf) boas and like the BCI's better.
As far as the BP's, I like the morphs and I have a couple females that are pretty big and fun to handle, especially around kids and people who have never seen or handled a snake before. You do have to be up at night though if you want to see them out and about. They can be picky feeders, but once you get them going, they're usually good until breeding season.
Anyway, just consider all the main stuff - housing, feeding, size, etc. I think you'd likely be happy with either. Corns are also very sweet and can be super colorful and make good pets if you're just starting with snakes.
As far as the BP's, I like the morphs and I have a couple females that are pretty big and fun to handle, especially around kids and people who have never seen or handled a snake before. You do have to be up at night though if you want to see them out and about. They can be picky feeders, but once you get them going, they're usually good until breeding season.
Anyway, just consider all the main stuff - housing, feeding, size, etc. I think you'd likely be happy with either. Corns are also very sweet and can be super colorful and make good pets if you're just starting with snakes.
geckogrl6
New member
I asked myself some similar questions when I was ready to graduate from corns. I do think the corns are a really good starter snake, as are the BPs. Corns have an unbelievable variety of morphs, and often cheaper than boas.
I had some BPs awhile back, and found them to be all of what the other posters have already said- kinda boring, and much pickier eaters than boa. I eventually got rid of the BPs due to their picky eating habits.
Eventually, I settled on a rainbow boa, as I am of too small a stature to handle a full grown larger boa alone, and I refuse to commit to getting an animal I know I will not be able to maintain alone throughout its entire life. My BRB is easily handled, as I have been doing so since neonate. I also considered the carpet pythons, but I would not recommend those as a starter snake.
I had some BPs awhile back, and found them to be all of what the other posters have already said- kinda boring, and much pickier eaters than boa. I eventually got rid of the BPs due to their picky eating habits.
Eventually, I settled on a rainbow boa, as I am of too small a stature to handle a full grown larger boa alone, and I refuse to commit to getting an animal I know I will not be able to maintain alone throughout its entire life. My BRB is easily handled, as I have been doing so since neonate. I also considered the carpet pythons, but I would not recommend those as a starter snake.
Snakesitter
New member
Your Brazilian looks very cute in your avatar picture, Lisa! How old was she/he then?
More on topic, Clint, I'd urge you to buy whichever snake will keep your attention long term. I suspect it will be a boa. And don't forget to consider the whole range of 'em, from BCC/BCI on down. Good luck!