Boas or Balls??

[Mephibosheth1]

So, quick question to satiate my desire for knowledge:


Boas and Ball Pythons...2 constrictor species that are very popular as pets


Why would you choose/recommend one versus the other??
And I'm aware of the legal aspect of some of the larger constrictor species....just wondering from a husbandry/pet-aspect side of things


Thanks

[Daybreaker]

I would recommend balls for those wanting an easy going snake that doesn't get to a crazy size and stays very manageable. Downsides: some won't take to f/t and I know some people won't want to deal with feeding live, and since these guys can go off feed for extended periods (from husbandry issues or "just because") it can be frustrating/scary for new owners.

I would recommend boas for those wanting more of a display/interactive snake who isn't as touchy with husbandry as balls (IMO). Downsides: size can be a factor as some people are unaware as to what these guys will need when they're adults (talking about Colombians, BCCs, Argentines, etc). The bigger guys will need at least ~4' caging and this may not be possible for all people to accommodate (smaller boas are recommended for those with space issues as the smaller ones can be housed in large tubs).

Each has their pros and cons, just depends on what the individual person is looking for and what they can care for within their capabilities.

[decensored]

It really depends on what you are looking for in a snake. Keeping reptiles becomes vey addictive lol - I have both but personally I like ball pythons better.

Ball Pyhtons-

Pros:
-Have smaller enclosure requirements, and do better in a rack system than a boa.
-smaller prey size = cheaper to feed.
-Generally easy to handle, and can be handled by a single person regardless of the person, or the animal's size.
-Require very little effort to maintain their husbandy

Cons:
-Tend to be timid snakes (may not be a con for some people).
-Can often be picky eaters

Boas-

Pros:
-Usually well tempered and friendly snakes
-Incredible eaters and can switch prey without much difficulty
-Love to explore and be taken out

Cons:
- Larger Enclosures (space and $$)
- Largey Prey Items = more $$
- Harder to re-sell than ball pythons (at least in my experience)
- Can get big enought that they MAY require two handlers to manage.

Just my opinion

[Mephibosheth1]

Thanks for the opinions; keep em coming

Main reason I wonder is because I want to be able to recommend different types of snake if people ask me, and I only have experience with BPs right now.

[Louie]

I just gotta say that I own one ball python and it's my first. I did struggle whether to get corn snake, rain boa, or ball python. I think I made a right choice getting a ball python, just because they are so adorable and cute
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[kameo37]

This is interesting. I have to say, I feel a little trapped now. I'm so accustomed to these docile, easy going snakes that I'm having a hard time believing that I could handle anything slightly more "challenging." I'm feeling like instead of taking baby steps, I should have jumped right in.

[bcr229]

It also depends on whether you want a snake that prefers to be solitary and hide much of the time, especially if you have limited time to interact with it, or if you'd like a "display" snake that's more social and active, especially during the day. I only have one BP that will immediately pop his out of of his tub when you slide the tub out of the rack, the others are either all in their hides or diving into them because they would prefer not to be messed with.

If you're worried about a boa getting too big to handle alone, you can get a smaller variant like a dumerils, hog island, or rainbow.

[Evenstar]

Frankly, I would recommend a boa hands down. There are, of course, pros and cons to each species and a few have already been mentioned. However, one of the cons regarding boas that was mentioned is their large size. Couple of things about that:

1) There are several sub-species of BCI and other boa species that do not get large and are quite easy to manage and do not necessarily require large enclosures. The males also stay smaller than the females of nearly any boa species or sub-species. MALE Bci such as Hog Island, Nicaraguan, Sonoran Desert, or Tarahumara Mountain, don't generally grow more than about 5 ft. Tarahumara Mountain boas don't usually get more than 4 ft!! For comparison, many ball pythons reach 4 ft or more. Dumerils and Brazilian Rainbow boas are also smaller. Each of these species and sub-species have outstanding "boa personalities" and their smaller size means nothing more than the fact that they are easier to manage and house.

2) Even though they are a larger snake (generally speaking - see above, lol), they are still easy to handle. With the exception of my adult BCC and Argentines, I can handle any of my Colombian BCI, even the females, on my own without help. And I am not a big or particularly strong person. Boas are generally quite docile and like to be handled so they easy to work with.

3) Someone also mentioned that larger size meant larger and more expensive prey items. Not necessarily. Even larger boas can eat rats their entire lives. There is no need to feed rabbits. And boas can and often do eat less frequently than balls. My adults eat 1-2 jumbo rats every 2 1/2 - 3 weeks. That is not much - and not much money either.

Ultimately, it is up to you, but boas are SO interactive and easy going compared to balls. They are, in my opinion, actually easier to take care of than balls because they just aren't so dang sensitive. I would only call them intermediate snakes due to the fact that, generally speaking, they ARE a bit larger than balls and their out-going personalities can sometimes be a bit intimidating to someone who isn't quite as comfortable with snakes.

But if you have at least a little experience with snakes, you won't regret a boa! Just be warned - they are like potato chips. Betcha can't have just one!!

[kameo37]

Kali,
You are a no good, terrible, bad influence! I'm so intrigued by boas. They seem like the (bigger) perfect marriage between a docile bp and a curious corn. Hmm...