Can't Decide...

I've put a ton of time and research into this, and when it comes down to it, I just plain can't decide which snake I want. I'm looking between a Ball Python (most likely a Spider if it's available) or some sort of Motley Boa. These snakes are both equally matched with great features - which one do I get?

Of course, its ultimately up to you. I'm more partial to bps :)

Though you could get one of each.......

I also favor bps...I have a spider to he's awesome

I love my spider

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/efd50d75.jpg

But my Dumeril's Boa is also pretty cool

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...l/IMG_0481.jpg

I think I would go with the spider if I could only have one but that is a personal opinion

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I love my spider

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/efd50d75.jpg

But my Dumeril's Boa is also pretty cool

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...l/IMG_0481.jpg

I think I would go with the spider if I could only have one but that is a personal opinion

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Both those snakes are nice aaron! Is your dum a morph or are those "patches" pattern on his back normal?
To the OP: im a ball python guy so id say go with a spider ball!

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Both those snakes are nice aaron! Is your dum a morph or are those "patches" pattern on his back normal?
To the OP: im a ball python guy so id say go with a spider ball!

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Thanks, as far as I know my Boa is just a run of the mill Dum.

I have multiple BPs (one is a Spider female) and 3 boas currently, and I love each in their own way. If you want size, go with the boa (but be prepared for an actual cage - at least 4' long IMO but I recommend 6' for adult BCI/BCC females) but if you want more so a lap snake go with the BP (though all my boas are nice lap snakes as well). Just depends on what you think you'd enjoy more :)

If you haven't had much experience handling snakes, go ball. I love my boa but she's quite a handful compared to my ball. She's faster, flightier, and nippier, all of which will fade out with age...hopefully, considering she'll be about 8 times bigger than the ball XD

My Dumeril Boa is a fantastic sweet girl and I love her to death, But I just ordered a BP (because I fell in love lol). I have always liked BPs because of their manageable size and the morphs available. However I met my Boa girl, Landi, and fell in love also.. so If I were you Id wait for the one that just stands out to me the most... Look at both... you'll know when its right. I did.. and honestly she might be my fave. (Just dont tell the others):P

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Thanks, as far as I know my Boa is just a run of the mill Dum.

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lol oh idk. That pattern on his/her back is just really cool looking. Like patches of camoflage.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

lol oh idk. That pattern on his/her back is just really cool looking. Like patches of camoflage.

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Yeah, I really like her. I just got her about a week ago so I'm still learning about Boas but so far I have been really happy with her. She is more active than by Balls but not as crazy as my Carpet Python.

I own bp's, bloods, and boa's. While I love my bp's I find myself spending much more time handling my boa's than any of my others. This is because how much more outgoing that they are. They can be out for hours, and don't seem to stress out from it. My Coral Albino boa will sit on my shoulders for hours on end, and hates going back into her enclosure. My boa's also tend to be visible much more often. They use their hides, but almost always have their heads out.

When it is all said and done the decision is completely up to you, but for me if I could only choose one type of snake to own it would be a boa....

HAHA and its things like this that is making my next decision such a hard one. I have narrowed down my selection to:
Female lesser Ball python
Or a Hog Island Boa

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Originally Posted by dragonboy4578

I own bp's, bloods, and boa's. While I love my bp's I find myself spending much more time handling my boa's than any of my others. This is because how much more outgoing that they are. They can be out for hours, and don't seem to stress out from it. My Coral Albino boa will sit on my shoulders for hours on end, and hates going back into her enclosure. My boa's also tend to be visible much more often. They use their hides, but almost always have their heads out.

When it is all said and done the decision is completely up to you, but for me if I could only choose one type of snake to own it would be a boa....

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Originally Posted by dragonboy4578

I own bp's, bloods, and boa's. While I love my bp's I find myself spending much more time handling my boa's than any of my others. This is because how much more outgoing that they are. They can be out for hours, and don't seem to stress out from it. My Coral Albino boa will sit on my shoulders for hours on end, and hates going back into her enclosure. My boa's also tend to be visible much more often. They use their hides, but almost always have their heads out.

When it is all said and done the decision is completely up to you, but for me if I could only choose one type of snake to own it would be a boa....

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I totally agree! I have 1 BP and 3 boas and if I could only have 1 type of snake, it would be a boa. They are just sooo much more fun to hold! I adore my BP, Ella, and she's fantastic and fortunately she's not going anywhere, but my boas are amazing creatures and each one is a joy to have out. Ella will stress after a short period of time, whereas the boas will happily hang out on my shoulders all day if I let them. They are the ultimate lap snake if you ask me....

Yes, it really is your decision - if want a slightly smaller snake, go with that spider. But if size (and everything that goes with it - i.e. a larger cage, etc) doesn't matter, I personally think, in the long run, you might be happier with a boa's personality. Just my thoughts.... ;)

I prefer the Boa, more intelligence, no problems feeding. Same basice husbandry requirements except for larger accommodations.

Ball Python all the way...but I'm a little biased :D

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Originally Posted by TheWinWizard

I prefer the Boa, more intelligence, no problems feeding. Same basice husbandry requirements except for larger accommodations.

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I'd forgotten about the feeding responses. That's a MAJOR plus for boas as far as I'm concerned. The number of nights I've spent worrying when Ella wouldn't eat - frankly it's the one thing keeping me from getting more BPs. But a boa - well, don't let your hand get in the way because look out, in shed or no shed, lol! :O

Personally? I prefer boas. I enjoy their personalities more than that of any other snakes I've worked with. Not to mention they are among the most beautiful snakes out there, they grow to be a big but not unmanageable size, and they have excellent feeding responses.

However, boas are not for everyone. Whereas ball pythons are entirely harmless, you have to keep in mind that big boas are potentially dangerous and make accommodations to ensure that you are safe. Adults boas are powerful animals. This can also make handling daunting. If you are looking for your first snake (?) and you aren't sure about whether or not you'll be comfortable with a big snake, I'd recommend a ball python.

Boas are also more work than ball pythons. They need very large enclosures (which can get to be really expensive and take longer to clean), they need large food (also expensive), and being that they are much more active than ball pythons I find that boas require more handling than ball pythons and can be somewhat of a time commitment. Of course handling a boa is the best part, but it is something to consider if you aren't home much.

But then on the other hand, ball pythons are less inquisitive, more nervous, and they can be really difficult when it comes to feeding them. Boas and balls are both great snakes, but they are very different.



Overall, I would recommend finding a place where you could handle an adult ball python and an adult boa. They are VERY different animals with very different personalities, and the best way to judge which you'd like is to spend some time with both species and make a decision from there.

My vote is ball. They are very addicting too! Spiders are very cool too. I love spider and bumblebee. Hmmm, maybe I need one more, I don't even have a spider....lol. :D

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

I'd forgotten about the feeding responses. That's a MAJOR plus for boas as far as I'm concerned. The number of nights I've spent worrying when Ella wouldn't eat - frankly it's the one thing keeping me from getting more BPs. But a boa - well, don't let your hand get in the way because look out, in shed or no shed, lol! :O

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Sooo true! I have always fed my snakes in another tub, and that worked great for most. But my BCI has a crazy feeding response compared to my BPs. My Dum does as well, though my BCI is just a bit feistier around feeding time. I can't hardly open the lid before she's after me. Lol! So for her, I gave in and got some feeding tongs. :P Even when they are completely blind from being in the blue, they still go for it immediately! I LOVE my boas. So much personality, so inquisitive, and SO much more fun to hold. I still love my BPs, and they still receive great care and lots of love. But, the boas seem to enjoy the love bit a little more. Lol. I have my BCI on my shoulders as I type and she's been there for about an hour and could really care less. I adore my boas! They were, hands down, the best decision I ever made.

Boa all the way! ;)

One of the major things I like about the Boas is their handling and feeding response. That's one of the things that causes me to not be able to decide.

IMO, a boa absolutely makes for a more rewarding "pet" experience, but they're a good deal more work than balls. You have to get what you like and what you feel you can make the necessary commitment to.

I vote boa... They have so much personality and really are much more interesting as pets than ball pythons.

http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4e281-2dda-2dd7.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4e281-2e39-bb4e.jpg

I also have bp's and boas as well but if I had to choose only one it would be a boa all the way.

Sent from my crappy cell using tapatalk.

Personally I would go boa as they seem to be more hands on and interested in being out and interacting with you and they are all garbage disposals. My female redtail will eat anything that my smaller nic or larger bp decide not to eat. She is also awesome to have out of her tank as she hates when I put her back. She also stares at me and seems to be more in touch with what's going on in her surroundings. However my ball is pretty much one of a kind as he is probably one of the most interactive balls I have ever been around but mind u that is not the norm. My vote goes boa.


1.0 normal bp- Blitz
1.0 Nicaraguan boa- Gavin
0.1 Red Tail Boa- Tara

I say boa. Then, when you get your spider BP in another six months or so (because you know you won't stop with just one), you'll have another snake to eat his leftovers when he goes on feeding strike! :D