Differences between RTB's and BP's

[quercus]

What are some of the differences/similarities between the two species of snakes? I've read that boas are better feeders than balls. Do RTB's come in morphs like the BP's do? How about temperament? What size does a RTB max out at?

Just curious...

[mainbutter]

size: Boa Constrictors (various subspecies, various localities) can get quite big, with the biggest Boa Constrictor Constrictor (BCC) females topping 60 or 70 pounds. Granted your typical Boa Constrictor Imperator (BCI) doesn't get that big, but BCI females can still break 30lbs, and more. There are smaller localities and subspecies available in the US that are quite manageable for someone who wants to stay on the smaller side. I personally love the big girls.

feeding: eh.. I've never had chronic ball python feeding issues, but there's a difference between seasonal fluctuations and actual problematic refusals. Frankly my little dealings with BCIs makes me think they are more prone to just having a bad week where they don't want to eat for one reason or another.

morphs: yes, particularly for BCIs. I'm not well-versed in boa constrictor morphs, but there are lots out there. Frankly I'm less a fan of boa morphs than I am of locality-specific and subspecies-specific projects. Give me an Iquitos, Peru BCC over the most expensive BCI combo any day.

temperament: many are great to handle, though there will always be the oddball face-grabber. Hatchlings are hit or miss, but like many other snakes out there have a tendency to start out defensive and grow up to be handleable.

[Vypyrz]

What are some of the differences/similarities between the two species of snakes?

Just curious...

A BP lays a "clutch" of eggs and the babies are called hatchlings.
A RTB gives birth to a live "litter" and the babies are called neonates.

[MissDizzyBee]

Between my two:

My BCI sits out in the open most of the time, whereas the BP is almost always in a cave.

They move differently, too....BCI holds more lightly, but still falls less. He makes my BP look extremely clumsy.

BCI has a quicker feeding response, but is WAY more likely to regurge. He gets fed less often. He also poops more.

Their temps and humidity are more or less the same. Both of mine have great temperaments. The BP is WAY more shy (and head-shy).

Theres not as many morphs for BCs as there are for BPs, but theres still quite a few. Snows, Albinos, Sunglow, and Moonglow I can think of right off the top of my head. Seems like boa morphs are more expensive though, possibly because theres fewer breeders and less competition in the market. Like butter pointed out, the size depends on the locality and subspecies of Boa Constrictor you get. I think theres seven-ish of them. Suriname and Colombians seem most common.

Ive not had either of them snap at me yet, but the BCI is much bolder than the BP and took a few days for me to get accustomed to.

[PKMorphs]

I have 2 BCI's and 3 BP's...my BCI's are much more active while being held...they tend to be more adventurous also. My BP's are much more shy and less likely to "slither away" if i set them down...although the BP's will eventually get up the nerve to "wander off"...both are great eaters for me...never had a refusal by either but if I see them in shed or with blue eyes I typically don't offer them food until after they have shed. The BCI's are more active in their enclosures as well...giving them something to climb on is almost a must in my opinion, otherwise they just typically scale the sides of their tanks. Never been struck at by either but the male BCI did hiss at me once but it was the first day I got him and I was over eager to handle him without giving him time to get settled in. Hope this helps!