Hogg Island Boa or Ball Python

[RyanLuvSnakez]

which do you think is better?
I would like the pros and cons of both snakes
If you have anything to say about either snakes, please reply, I would love any details about both snakes.

Thnxs

[DZ Reptiles]

I have no experience with Hogg Island Boas, But me aswell as the other members here are addicted to Ball Pythons, so there's something special about them. Cant go wrong with a BP

[Fataltix]

Ball Pythons are just such awesome snakes. They are so friendly, easy, and great to look it (when they aren't hiding). I don't know a whole lot about the boa's your interested in... but here is a basic pro/con list I came up with for ya:

BP's:
Pros:
-Friendly
-Small
-Simple feeding schedule
-Beautiful
-Easy temp range/humidity range

Cons:
-Can be finicky eaters
-not much of a display snake

And thats really it for cons .

Cheers!
Fatal

[MarkieJ]

I've got a Hog in addition to my collection of bps. Here's some pros and cons for a Hog Island Boa:

Pros:
-Just large enough to be impressive, but not too large to be scary.
-Very handleable. Mine seems to enjoy it.
-Voracious feeders! Any leftovers from your bps? No worries about waste if
you've got a Hog.
-Beauties!

Cons:
-Need a large enclosure. Mine didn't do well when it was briefly kept in a tub.
-Voracious feeders! Can be intimidating the way they hit the rats.

I can't say which one is better as that is a personal choice. I like them both equally in their own unique ways.

[BoaFreak]

I have a few of both Boas and balls and I love them both. I love all my snakes but I could not have all bps and no Boas and vice versa . I find boas a little less of a headache at times though. They are trashcans when it comes to eating and i have never had a boa have a bad shed. Goodluck with your decision

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[jason221]

Ball Pythons - Picture of Adult Specimen
Pros:
1. Manageable adult size
2. Doesn't require special caging
3. Generally docile
4. Low cost of purchase (normals cost around $15 to $50)
Cons:
1. Can be difficult to get eating frozen vs. live
2. More easily stressed than boas (in my opinion)

Hogg Island Boas - Picture of Adult Specimen
Pros:
1. Generally good feeding response
2. Fairly active and receptive to handling
3. All the benefits of a regular boa without the potential 8ft length
Cons:
1. May require special caging such as Boaphile, be prepared for $200+ for cage alone
2. Costs more to buy a Hogg than a ball python (probably $100-150 for a normal Hogg)
3. May get bigger than you can handle. Most stay about five feet, but consider how big you want your snake to be. It will be significantly larger as an adult than a ball python.
4. Requires larger food items than a ball python

Keep in mind: for both ball pythons and Hogg Island boas, females will generally grow larger than males.

[j_h_smith]

This question really has no correct answer. I can't tell you which snake you will like the most. Both snakes have a lot going for them. Only real difference is that Ball Pythons can go off feed for months at a time. Depending on your experience, this can be very frustrating. Hoggs are great snakes. I've bred both and like them both.

It's your choice and you've got to come up with the reason for you to buy either snake.

One other option, buy both.
Jim Smith

[TessadasExotics]

I agree with this one but added some extra info to it.

Ball Pythons - Picture of Adult Specimen
Pros:
1. Manageable adult size
2. Doesn't require special caging
3. Generally docile
4. Low cost of purchase (normals cost around $15 to $50) (unless you are looking at morphs then the price can go way up.)
Cons:
1. Can be difficult to get eating frozen vs. live (as can any snake)
2. More easily stressed than boas (in my opinion)

Hogg Island Boas - Picture of Adult Specimen
Pros:
1. Generally good feeding response
2. Fairly active and receptive to handling
3. All the benefits of a regular boa without the potential 8ft length (regular RTB can grow up to about 14ft for a female.)
Cons:
1. May require special caging such as Boaphile, be prepared for $200+ for cage alone
2. Costs more to buy a Hogg than a ball python (probably $100-150 for a normal Hogg) ($100-300 depending on m/f size and if pure Hog local or not.)
3. May get bigger than you can handle. Most stay about five feet, but consider how big you want your snake to be. It will be significantly larger as an adult than a ball python. (Actually realy almost the same size as a BP.(about a foot longer))
4. Requires larger food items than a ball python. (Eats the same thing/size as a BP(size for size))

Keep in mind: for both ball pythons and Hogg Island boas, females will generally grow larger than males.

[tsshields]

I agree with this one but added some extra info to it.

x2

[Clint Bundy]

I have both and it depends on what you are wanting. My Hogg Island never refuses a meal. He eats frozen thawed without hesitation, even in full shed. I bought him in june and he is now about 3 and a half feet long. Boas put on a lot of length in the first year of their lives and then bulk up after that. 6-8 ft total on him makes him very easy to handle.
Balls on the other hand can be picky. But I can't get away from them. Too many color combo's to make and they are just a neat snakes also. Both snakes are great to have as pets. I only paid 75 bucks for my Hogg, but I know a breeder and got my choice from the clutch. Make a choice and go with it. There really isn't a bad decision that can be made.