Possibly switching over to an RTB..

Hey there guys,

So I've had my BP shrike for around a year or so, and while I love the little guy, I'm really wishing I had started with boas rather than BP's. I love the look of an RTB and the larger size is really appealing for me.

Here is the problem though. If I want an RTB, I'd have to sell my BP shrike... And that really worries me. How do I know he'll get a good home where he'll be taken cared of and loved? And since I've never handled/owned an RTB, how do I know I'd prefer one and wouldn't miss my baby? :( haha

So here is the root of my question, should I sell my BP and switch over to an RTB? I'd get a male due to the 4x2x1 cage being perfect for them, and I'm very comfortable handling snakes of size (grew up with relatives who had a Burmese).

Thanks,
Fatal

I am happy that I started with bp's I got used to handling my snakes and trying to guess there next move as for boas I just now got mine yesterday and in the shop all the guys kept telling me was they might be a little nippy of course I excepted that but I felt that I had had some time spent with my snakes so I would notice the sighns of it being agitated there for making me more comfortable with handling her as for holding one and seeing how you feel about it if there is a shop around you that has them ask to hold one see if you like it and as for getting rid of your bp to get a red tail I say find out if you like holding them and there behavior then go from there on that decision Im still fairly new to the reptile sceane with only 2 full years under my belt so I could be missing somethings in here but still I hope it helps ........ This was from my phone so sorry if I messed up some spelling lol

Why can't you have both? Is your space very limited?

If you can, I would keep the ball and get a boa. I keep my adult Colombian (common boa) females and males in 4x2x1 cages.

There is no way to guarantee your baby will go to a good home and stay there because who ever you give him to might not keep him for his whole life.

As for RTBs vs BPs, I personally love them both. I couldn't imagine having to give any of my collection away, but if I could only keep one I'm pretty sure my RTB would win out even though I would be heart broken at the loss of the others.

RTBs have a completely different personality than BPs. They are curious about everything. Mine likes to watch my ceiling fan when I take her out or she likes to be in my face. They also usually are not head shy like BPs and they are a lot stronger than BPs.

I love all my reptiles and as I said it would be hard to choose between them. If you can I would try to keep them both. You could always save up and get a nice set of stacking cages so they really don't take up any more floor space.

Good luck! :)

Hey guys,
Thanks for all the quick responses. Its really a tough decision, like you guys said, it would be ideal to get the boa and keep the ball. Sadly, I'm a college student so not only is space an issue but so is money. Perhaps I should simply wait until I'm more prepared to house multiple animals before I get an RTB. I've just been desperately wanting one for a while so its tough, but I think waiting would be my smartest move.

Thanks,
Fatal

I think you won't regret if you wait. That way you'll still have your BP and you'll be ready to add to the family. I spent all of college wanting both a dog and a ball python, but my landlord had a super strict no pet policy. So I toughed it out and now I have way more than one ball python and my dream dog. It was well worth the wait. :)