Thinking about getting my first RTB?

Hi! My local reptile show is currently coming up soon. I am debating on what I want to get this year. I have really wanted to purchase a RTB. I probably will pick up a baby RTB. I wanted to know how long does it take for them to reach a size when you got to purchase a customized cage? My other concern is I have 2 cats, and 3 dogs, and an 18 month year old niece. Do you think I should be concern if I properly feed, and make sure its enclosure is probably set up? Also baby/juveniles can be housed in a glass enclosure until they reach a certain length correct?

It took my male to reach his second birthday or so for him to need to move into his 4' viv, though snakes grow at different rates: my roughly 2 year old female is still fine in her tub. Always be prepared to have the space for your viv, but you shouldn't need one within your boa's first year, at least.

As long as your enclosure is secure I wouldn't worry about your pets/niece; your snake isn't going to go out and hunt them. Just make sure you don't overfeed your boa as it's unhealthy for them.

Yes, babies can be housed in tanks but I'd look into tub setups.

Thank you for all the helpful feedback!
As of right now I am debating whether I want a RTB, Blue Tongue Skink, or another Ball Python :confusd:
I wish I could purchase them all:D

Also do you need more than one person to help you handle a fully grown RTB?

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Originally Posted by Druzy

Thank you for all the helpful feedback!
As of right now I am debating whether I want a RTB, Blue Tongue Skink, or another Ball Python :confusd:
I wish I could purchase them all:D

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I'd have to go with the boa, but I'm sure any would be great additions. You can't go wrong with a nice Colombian, or any CA/dwarf boas, or any of the BCC localities.

Boas have so much personality, curiosity and they get a manage size without being HUGE. They say that handling any snake over 6 foot you should have someone else around. In case things get out of hand. I had 6 balls before getting a boa and I don't regret it at all. If you are wanting a smaller one, get a male. They stay smaller. Good luck.


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I am planning on getting a male to start off with. The only thing is no one in my family likes snakes, so I won't have a buddy watch me handle my RTB when he gets larger.
Anyone have any suggestions?

If you get a baby you will probly have between 1.5-2 years before he's big enough to worry about that.


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Do you want to get a true rtb. They do get large but reasonably manageable if your are used to them.

I would suggest starting out with a BCI. And if you get a male they stay pretty small maybe 4-5 foot. Along with a reasonable size there are a lot of different morphs to choose from too.

It will take 2-3 years for a baby to reach anywhere near the 6ft mark, so if you want to get a RTB baby I'd say you wouldn't need someone else to spot you for a good amount of time. Even more so if you get a BCI rather than a BCC (or "true" Red Tail) My BCI girl is at the 6ft range and even though I have someone close by just in case, she's very laid back and I've never really run into any REAL danger. I just believe in the motto "better safe than sorry". Even if your family isn't fond of snakes, I'm sure they would help you if you called for them. As for my girl, as long as she feels properly supported, she's more than happy to wrap herself around my waist and hang out around my shoulders, and "taste" anything nearby. I just have to be careful if I'm sitting down because she likes to wander off, and her reach is pretty far.

They're very curious snakes and they make a great introduction into the larger constrictors. They're usually very even-tempered (babies that are hissy are usually all show, and calm down with regular handling), are GREAT feeders and their requirements are very close to Ball Pythons. You just need to be prepared (for one day down the line) being able to provide an enclosure that could be up to 6ft in length! Just be prepared to eventually care for a decent-sized constrictor that will be eating large/jumbo rats.

For reference, my girl and I. I'm around 5'4" (and pretty tiny lol). Each snake is different, and you should adjust your handling accordingly to how it acts and how safe you feel. :)
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