Red Tail Boa

[Emmastaff]

I really love red tail boas. I love the idea of a snake that is a little more social than a BP and I think they are beautiful. I know that obviously they are a larger snake. But how large would a male get? How does the size affect handling vs. a BP? Do you need two people to handle one of these once they get to their maximum size? I currently have four BP's and these are the only snake I have owned. Can you give me an idea of what I would be getting into if I purchased a Red Tail? Speifically, would kind of space requirements would I need for a male? Could I feed rats throughout it's lifetime, or will it eventually require larger prey. Do any of you have red tails and small children? How is their temperament compared to a ball python? I do realize the necessity of secure, appropriate housing etc... I am just asking if you could give me an idea of what kind of snake this is compared to a BP and what differences I would be encountering in the keeping of one of these. I am not looking to buy one tomorrow or anything, just gathering info for the future.

[Bo_]

here is a good starting point
http://ball-pythons.net/modules/Sect...warticle&id=13

The rule in my house is if the snake is over 6ft 2 people who know what they are doing must be present for the snake to be out..now i don't have any snakes over 6ft yet but one day my hypo(and she is getting close) will be over that. I have a baby red tail and he eats mice, once he gets bigger rats will be fine. IMO boas don't need bigger pray then rats they have some big ones jumbo or colossal(my hypo eats medium and she has no problem taking 2 or 3 if the other snakes don't want their food).

My apologizes if my post doesn't make any scene as i am pretty sick feel free to message me on MSN or PM here if you want anything cleared up

[Emmastaff]

Bo, thanks for the info. Sorry to hear you are under the weather, in fact, I am sick in bed right now too. Get well soon!

[ladywhipple02]

I took these pictures awhile back to show the size difference between an adult female BP and an adult female Red Tail. The Red Tail is about six feet in these pics and the BP is real close to three feet.





Six feet may seem like a lot, but it's really not all that bad, especially if you have experience with BPs on the larger end of the spectrum. And you have to remember that RTB males usually top out at six feet (though some DO get bigger).

Boas make very rewarding pets, IMHO. They can be so sweet, very curious snakes. I wouldn't trade my Kinkers for anything! Just remember... the snake poo is directly proportional to the size of their meal LOL