I've been accumulating a ball python collection over the last couple of years after having my bearded dragon for a few years prior (he's still alive and well). I've picked up a female normal, female pastel, and female pinstripe, as well as a fire male, and a lesser male. Recently though I've been getting the urge to try another species out. Right now I'm torn between getting a boa (probably a jungle or anery columbian to start with) or a short-tail of some variety. I'm thinking from what research of done so far that the boa would be an easier species for me to keep because they are typically pretty mild mannered from the beginning and their husbandry requirements don't seem to be any more demanding than that of ball pythons. However, there is something really appealing about the short-tails to me as well. I'm of the understanding that they are a bit more touchy to deal with until they're used to their surroundings and being messed with, and that's fine. What i'm more concerned with is any difficulty in husbandry with the short-tails that might be problematic, or perhaps understated in the information I've read through.
For the experience owners of either (or both), do you have any insight on which species you'd pick as your second snake species? I certainly want to make sure that I know what i'm getting into ahead of time as I do not want to get an animal that I can't provide with the best living environment possible. I'm not concerned with getting nipped a few times in the process. My female normal ball has nailed me enough that I don't really mind dealing with an animal that's a bit feisty for the short-term. However, I'd prefer to not be getting tagged ever time I open whichever animals tub for the next however many years either as both species seem to get large enough to make this a bit more of an issue to deal with than it is with a ball.
Thanks for any insight you're willing to share!
Reply With Quote