Colombian Rainbow Vs. Kenyan

Hello Everyone,

I'm looking into buying a boa and I've narrowed it down to the aforementioned species. What I'm looking for is an easy to handle (calm) and a good feeder. I know the CRB requires a bit more husbandry wise but otherwise they are similar in price. If I went the CRB route I'd go Male for a bit of a shorter guy and with the KSB I'd go Female as 18-24 inch males are just a bit small.

Which would you all pick and why?

I had to go with the CRB, but only because I wanted one of those for sooooooo long up until I got my BRB. :rofl: I've been looking into KSBs lately, though, and might have to put one on my list of future snakes. The CRBs would be a little bit more difficult, but I think that they are just totally awesome looking snakes.

I've never really liked the looks of sand boas, myself, so I voted for the rainbow. That said, I personally think Brazilians and Peruvians with their brighter, richer colorations are more appealing than the Colombians. That said, as I've seen said in many other threads, it's going to be your snake; what all of us think doesn't much matter in the long run. Get the one you want more.

I would go with the Columbian. Bigger, bitey, and more fun. lol.

alright, KSB's are getting a bad rap right now and I don't like it lol jk

But in all honesty I have KSB, and a red tail boa and both have AWESOME personality's but I'm sure the exception exists where you can get a mean one. Just make sure with whatever snake your picking out that it is nicely tempered if thats important to you. I love the colors of KSB's and the skull design very neat. There nose is specially adapted for breathing under sand(duck bill kind of look), and other substrate and there eyes are kind of googly which adds to the fun. There really two completely different snakes especially in terms of size. But I love the crap outta both my boas so its hard to say which one i would RATHER have. Good Luck!!

I have kept Kenyans non stop since the 90s, and love em, they are awesome snakes. I have also kept Colombian Rainbows, awesome snakes as well. Figure out what you want in the new pet and go from there. With my kenyans, even the most nippy of the group is easy to handle and still a great pet. With my CRB's the nippiest one I had was a male that would do everything in his power to tear you a new one if you caught him in that mood. Good luck deciding what you are going to go with.

Thanks for the input guys. From your experiences, which is easier to handle?

I voted Kenyans. I love 'em!


As far as handling. They can be pretty nippy.

Here is a video of my in action. lol

YouTube - Bite.mov

I would pick the CRB because of their size. I wouldn't want a Kenyan because they are a bit on the small side, and I like larger constrictors. Plus the CRBs are very beautiful, I got to handle some and see them upclose last week and they are just amazing snakes.

I may add in that any snake can be nippy or aggressive when not handled. So, sometimes you'll have to get the snake to be docile by having short handling sessions. You can get a very tame KSB, or a very mean one. You can also get a very tame CRB, or a very mean one. Just depends on how much you handle it and get it used to you, as well as keeping the husbandry spot on. I've found that not having the right husbandry can sometimes make snakes a little moody.:weirdface

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

I may add in that any snake can be nippy or aggressive when not handled. So, sometimes you'll have to get the snake to be docile by having short handling sessions. You can get a very tame KSB, or a very mean one. You can also get a very tame CRB, or a very mean one. Just depends on how much you handle it and get it used to you, as well as keeping the husbandry spot on. I've found that not having the right husbandry can sometimes make snakes a little moody.:weirdface

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I agree, but KSB's are known for being nippy. Just like Ball Pythons are known for being docile. They can go either way, but they have that reputation. She has been handled a decent amount, and her husbandry is perfecto. She is just a typical KSB.

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Originally Posted by TJ'sHerps

I agree, but KSB's are known for being nippy. Just like Ball Pythons are known for being docile. They can go either way, but they have that reputation. She has been handled a decent amount, and her husbandry is perfecto. She is just a typical KSB.

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I never knew they had that reputation...?

Mine is sooo sweet. Never even tried to be nippy or defensive. I hand feed it f/t and everything. BP's are known for being docile but a lot of people have bad luck with them being nothing be temperamental. It really goes both ways, its all hear say.

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Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

I never knew they had that reputation...?

Mine is sooo sweet. Never even tried to be nippy or defensive. I hand feed it f/t and everything. BP's are known for being docile but a lot of people have bad luck with them being nothing be temperamental. It really goes both ways, its all hear say.

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Is it a bad thing to say Ball Pythons are generally docile and Kenyan's are generally nippy? It is not a bad reputation for a species to be seen as flighty or nippy. For the most part they are seen as nippy (getting tired of saying "Nippy" lol) because they are an ambush predator. When they feel vibrations above or beside them, they have a tendency to strike. It is instinctual.

I am not saying all kenyan sand boas are like that. If you look in my original post is said "They can be pretty nippy"

It does make sense that they Could be nippy. That's why in the care-sheets I've read, they recommend trying to pick them up from underneath to prevent the ambush instinct.

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Originally Posted by nickdolin

Thanks for the input guys. From your experiences, which is easier to handle?

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Six to one, half dozen to the other. Just like any other commonly kept snake, handling is only as difficult as the owner makes it for either species.

I have BRBs and KSBs. The kenyans are very easy to care for and are calm snakes. My rainbows are a bit nippy and they take alot more energy to care for. The rainbows can also get alot bigger then u think. I love both but if i had to pick one id go with the Kenyans.

Kenyans are a bit boring IMO.

I used to own a pair.

i think KSBs are great snakes, especially since theres a few cool morphs already, but ive never had a CRB, so idk which one is better