Can't Decide - Need Help - Boa or Sumatran Short Tail Python

BTW
I agree with about everything Blebonnet said except the part about boas being lazy and less active than royals.

I like the post but must have missed the part saying that.

I actually got into boas because they are larger and more active than royals.

Again, I agree with the post except that particular part and mean no offense by disagreeing with it. I'm just very surprised that conclusion could be made.

I'm speaking of activity in the cage and out as well.

Thank you everyone for the replies so far. All the information is beyond appreciated. I am leaning towards a boa given how I really can't find anyone that has bloods or short-tails to come out and say they fully trust their snakes and that they are really good handling snakes.

Another question about boas - given they are semi-arboreal - can you not keep them in plastic tubs?

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Originally Posted by Squirtle44

Another question about boas - given they are semi-arboreal - can you not keep them in plastic tubs?

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You can and boas do very well in tubs. You can certainly use larger ones with more height if you want to give them room to climb.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

You can and boas do very well in tubs. You can certainly use larger ones with more height if you want to give them room to climb.

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Okay great. Thank you. I just wanted to make sure that it is not mean or cruel to keep in them in a tub without much height given that they are semi-arboreal.

I vote for boa. I love love love my boas. A Blood python is just a bigger, fatter ball python:P..

I dont know if there is anything to it but Ive heard that bigger boas dont do well in tubs and get bad nose rubs.Just something I read.

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Originally Posted by Squirtle44

Thank you everyone for the replies so far. All the information is beyond appreciated. I am leaning towards a boa given how I really can't find anyone that has bloods or short-tails to come out and say they fully trust their snakes and that they are really good handling snakes.

Another question about boas - given they are semi-arboreal - can you not keep them in plastic tubs?

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Appropriate size tubs are fine for about the first 2 years. In my opinion, I feel that once they reach around 4' and up they should be moved into larger display type enclosures that are at least 48" x 24" x 18". Though, 72" x 24" x 18" would be best, in my opinion... As a general rule, an enclosure's combined length + depth should be no less than a snake's length. So, for instance; a 48" x 24" enclosure would be just big enough for a 6' snake. That would be fine for most male BCI's, but a female will most likely exceed 6'. My 2 year old male BCI's skin measured 4 1/2' the last time he shed a couple of months ago. He is still in a 41 Qt. rack at the moment, but I feel like he should already be in a 48" x 24" enclosure. As big as he is already at only 2 years, I feel like he will most likely need a 72" x 48" by the time he's done growing...

You can keep smaller locality boas and smaller male BCI (common boas) in large tubs their whole life...I'm think the Iris "christmas tree" type tubs that are 4'x2'x18". I keep my boas in racks or tubs until they hit around 3.5', then I move them up to pvc cages that are at least 4'x2' in footprint.

I had my male BCA in a tub that was 3.5' x 18"x 18" from the time I got him (he was about 2.5' long) until he reached about 4'.. Then he got moved up to a pvc cage. While he was in the tub, I gave him a branch to climb on, which he used. My other male hypo BCI was housed in a CB70 rack tub until he hit about 3.5' and did fine in the rack, but I feel he would have used more height and climbing places if given the opportunity.

I'd say if you want to house in a short tub (at least until it gets larger) that will be fine, but plan on taking out the boa regularly to allow it to exercise.

About the STP, you may want to post on a STP group on FB or on a forum and get more opinions.. There are not a lot of STP keepers here, so you have a small pool of people to get opinions from.

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Originally Posted by artgecko

You can keep smaller locality boas and smaller male BCI (common boas) in large tubs their whole life...I'm think the Iris "christmas tree" type tubs that are 4'x2'x18". I keep my boas in racks or tubs until they hit around 3.5', then I move them up to pvc cages that are at least 4'x2' in footprint.

I had my male BCA in a tub that was 3.5' x 18"x 18" from the time I got him (he was about 2.5' long) until he reached about 4'.. Then he got moved up to a pvc cage. While he was in the tub, I gave him a branch to climb on, which he used. My other male hypo BCI was housed in a CB70 rack tub until he hit about 3.5' and did fine in the rack, but I feel he would have used more height and climbing places if given the opportunity.

I'd say if you want to house in a short tub (at least until it gets larger) that will be fine, but plan on taking out the boa regularly to allow it to exercise.

About the STP, you may want to post on a STP group on FB or on a forum and get more opinions.. There are not a lot of STP keepers here, so you have a small pool of people to get opinions from.

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Do you know of any short tail python specific forums - I can't seem to find any.

Search groups on Facebook for "Blood Pythons"... Here is one group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bloodpythons/?ref=br_rs

By the way, if you have fallen in love with the Sumatrans like I did, I say go for it! They are beautiful creatures and I love mine to death! As I mentioned, out of all my Bloods, Borneos and Sumatrans, my female Sumatran is the sweetest and most even tempered of them all. That is not to say they are all alike, though. With regular, proper handling I think most Bloods, Borneos and Sumatrans will tame out just fine. Pretty much anyone will tell you that some are just nasty and evil as hell, though. But, I think that is true with any species of snakes. I definitely recommend hook training with these guys even more than any other species. Don't use the hook to pick it up, but rather just touch the snake with it to let it know you're there and that you don't have food. Then just keep the hook between it's head and your hand while you're picking it up. One other important thing i've learned is to never show fear, intimidation or or hesitation with these guys. Pick them right up with confidence and sorta let them know that you're the boss. If they sense that you're scared they can definitely put on quite a show! lol Use gloves for the first few handlings if that's what it takes. Also, a 4' x 2' pvc enclosure will ultimately be best for an adult Sumatran...