Looking to step up in size from Ball Pythons, Should I go Dumerils or Redtail Boa?

I want to start working my way up to bigger snakes, but I am not yet ready for something the size of a Retic or a Burm. I was wondering what your opinion on Dumerils and Red tails were for a still novice owner. I have 2 balls and they are awesome but they are my 1st snakes. Which one has the better temperment and what are their full grown sizes, and if possible does anyone have any pics of either as adults?

I would go with a Dumeril's (and did) They are super calm snakes that are a joy to work with. I've never had a single issue with mine, and she is growing at a nice steady pace. Adult size is going to vary based on gender, and in RTB's locality. Both can get large and will require a big cage (custom made or something like an animal plastics cage. (4-6 foot long)

I would say go with a smaller BCI, or some may even suggest a smaller BCC. My favorite BCI as of now is a Hog Island boa, which stays rather small compared to most boas, its will get between 5-6 ft, maybe a bit smaller as male and a little bigger female. They are very pretty, very manageable and imo, have GREAT personalities!!!

I want a Hog Island :O

I would vote Dumeril's. Haven't had mine for very long but always read that they are very calm. Mine has been a picky eater but also went into she'd her 2nd week here.

I would also vote a small boa. Locality boas like Brazilian Amarali, Nics, Hog Islands, etc.


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Any of the above suggestions would work well. My first boa was a female BCI and I've never been sorry - such an amazing snake! Colombian boas have great personalities. Dumerils also have wonderful temperaments and I love my Dum baby - she is so fun to handle.

Just be prepared that whatever route you go, they will require large cages. Usually 4x2x2 for a Dumerils or male BCI or 6x2x2 for a female BCI or BCC of either sex.

Boas are terrific and very easy to care for. With the exception of their larger size, they would fall into the beginner category. Really, only their size advances them to intermediate status.

Personally, having worked with several species of boas, I would recommend a Dumerils or a male BCI (and Hog Islands fall into that category) for your first boa. Mostly because they have really good personalities and, while they grow much larger than BPs, they don't grow to epic proportions. Can't go wrong with either choice! :gj:

Anybody wanna guess what my vote is? Lol DUMERILS all the way! Can't beat there winning personalities! I have 3. Love my bci's too but my dums are by far my favorite to handle. That said... Everyone's suggestions are spot on imo. there are other boas that I like the looks of better than my dums but as I said I love there personality.

Love Dumeril's boas. Great personality, beautiful patterns, and large size make them the great gateway snake.

Have you thought about pearl island boas? (Boa constictor sabogae)? Look them up, they're very pretty and stay fairly small. This is one of those species however where it is imperative to get your stock from a reliable breeder with good documentation so you'll need to do a lot of research.

I vote Dumeril's too. My little girl took about 6 months to get eating but now she's a machine about it. From what I've read this can be kind of typical. My friend has 3 Dumeril's (a 5yr old girl, a 11 yr old girl, and a mammoth 22 yr old boy) 2 of which he just re-acquired from a breeder getting out of the hobby and even the older ones didn't take to eating very fast.

I have a young BCC too but even she can become a handful at times, where as the Dumeril's are just a "la dee daa ok i'm being handled, cool" kind of snake.

BCI or BCC!

I love my boa <3
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/23/bypera8a.jpg

I went from a Ball Python to a female BCI for my second snake, and I've never been sorry! I got her as a sub-adult (maybe around 3~ft at the time) and she's been THE best behaved snake I've ever met. I've even let kids hold her, and she's never made so much as a sniff. I don't have any experience with Dums though, but I've heard great things about them too. You really can't go wrong with either one, I think! I'd say go to a reptile expo and ask if you can handle the Dumerils and BCI's they have there, and see if there are any that really click with you.

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Originally Posted by xFenrir

I went from a Ball Python to a female BCI for my second snake, and I've never been sorry! I got her as a sub-adult (maybe around 3~ft at the time) and she's been THE best behaved snake I've ever met. I've even let kids hold her, and she's never made so much as a sniff. I don't have any experience with Dums though, but I've heard great things about them too. You really can't go wrong with either one, I think! I'd say go to a reptile expo and ask if you can handle the Dumerils and BCI's they have there, and see if there are any that really click with you.

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That is the best advice anyone can give you!! Sometimes, you just have to handle a few and see what works for YOU. And it'll give you an opportunity to talk with a few breeders as well to find someONE you like working with and who'll give you continued support and help after your purchase. You'll know which one you want when you have it in your hands. :gj: