Boa v Ball

[boa3593]

I was thinking of getting a snake and it would be my first. Which snake would be better for my first snake, a red tail boa or a bp?

[Shelby]

A BP is better. Red tails simply get too big to be recommended as a first snake. A 9' 25lb boa is not something to take lightly.

[mr~python]

a ball python. ball pythons are awesome beginner snakes that stay small and are easy to care for. boas are more of a second snake because of there size.

[Pythonlover1989]

I would say either would make a good first snake. Even though the boa does get bigger it still is a mangable size and is very easy to care for. The ball stays smaller and is also a good beginer snake but I have had a alot of problems with trouble some eaters with ball pythons.

Nick

[Shelby]

Yes, some BPs have feeding problems (especially with F/T) but I really don't think a red tail boa is good first snake. Many people don't think a 9-10' snake is a manageable size! It can be quite intimidating for a first time keeper. They also are going to take up more room and eat more than a BP.

[boa3593]

if i did end up getting a redtail and it got that big what size cage do you think i might need?

[Diceman]

Im gonna have to disagree..I think a male BCI would make a great first snake..it wont get to big for 1 person to manage they are docile they arent prone to feeding problems

While this is a ball python forum most people here will say ball pythons are the ultimate beginer snakes but go to a general reptile forum and talk to some experts and youll find most agree a BCI is a better decision

[boa3593]

do you happen to have any shots of your BCI

[Pythonlover1989]

Ok well Ya I can see that a female boa would not be a good first snake cause they have the potential to reach 9-10 feet. But a male boa would be fine as a first snake reaching lengths of only about 7 feet. Yes a boa would eat more than a ball but there is not much of a difference both would be feeding on rats their whole life. As for the caging question a 9-10 ft boa could be housed in a 5ft X 2ft X 18in enclosure but a male can live in a 4ft X 2ft X 18in enclosure for his whole life.

Nick

[boa3593]

How many rats would you need to feed a BCI and how often?