I have a Ball Python and im looking into a Red Tail Boa, Need opinions and pics!

I purchased my first snake (Ball Python) about a year ago and i'm in love with this guy but i want to expand a little bit and decided after talking to a friend and looking into it a bit I'm really pushing for a Red Tail Boa. So guys and girls help me out here, is it a good idea? i want a more active snake and a longer body. Please leave your opinions and i would like to see your RTB's and BP's also would love to see some morphs :)

Sorry I wish I could help you more... I used to have a pair of red tails, and I used to breed rosy boas but I got outta both of them cause I just like balls better. Red tails get BIG and need much more space than BPs do. I fed my last red tail girl rabbits, and it added up quickly for me. They are great snakes, she was sweet as pie....but Im just not into em anymore. Keep whatever snakes your heart migrates to....as long as you can properly care for and house it for its lifetime ;)

I have two RTB's now. And they're absolutely wonderful. I have a younger male and a 10 year old full grown female.

If you have the cage space, go for it. They're very social and love to be out of their cage and handled.

Ah I'm glad someone asked about red tails! I was looking I to getting this gorgeous sunglo I saw at a pet store, but the few people I know that own them say they get more an more aggressive as they get older and like to bite, hold on, and coil around you... And then at the same time they say "but they're great snakes" so what is their personality like? Male vs female? Etc?

go for the boas if you are inclined, they are my favorite so I am biased :)

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Originally Posted by Lesserlove

Ah I'm glad someone asked about red tails! I was looking I to getting this gorgeous sunglo I saw at a pet store, but the few people I know that own them say they get more an more aggressive as they get older and like to bite, hold on, and coil around you... And then at the same time they say "but they're great snakes" so what is their personality like? Male vs female? Etc?

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My big girl I just got, but she hasn't been aggressive towards me at all.

My male isnt full grown but is pretty chill as well.

Don't forget about dumerils boas! :gj:

I was in the same spot you are now about one year ago. First of all props to FortheSnakelady for staying with what she personally enjoys.Let that be your guide when deciding on a boa. You will be your happiest when you TAKE TIME to figure everything out, get your caging and all the rest of the puzzle together before you get the snake. I just finished doing it all and I'm absolutely thrilled.

There are tons of opinions and none of them are wrong. I personally like locality boas. Whether it be true red tails (BCC) or locality BCI's.

I found my perfect snake by looking around at some of the well known breeders. I ended up with a Barranquilla Colombian BCI.

Size from what I'm told by his owners will be 6-7'. They stay less massive than the females and my guy is already docile.

You don't have to have a BCC to have a pretty tail.
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_0981.jpg

Lots of color. Even with crappy I-phone pictures.
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_0969.jpg

The boas to me are more active and more fun than BP's. They like to climb more and I personally relate to them better. However I still have great love for our Royal.

Here is my guy finishing up his dinner.
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_0996.jpg

They're fun, social, and easy to feed. I seek solace and friendship with my albino BCC when my lousy BP decides she's too good to eat anything or scared of the world <-- I've had many BP's that were very social and easy to feed, don't get me wrong, just my latest one is acting like this. So I'm totally +1 for this boa if you have the space for it.

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Originally Posted by runintoluck

They're fun, social, and easy to feed. I seek solace and friendship with my albino BCC when my lousy BP decides she's too good to eat anything or scared of the world <-- I've had many BP's that were very social and easy to feed, don't get me wrong, just my latest one is acting like this. So I'm totally +1 for this boa if you have the space for it.

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You nailed it. Our female hasn't eaten since X-mas eve. I think she is a very nice girl, but it wears me down a bit to offer prey and then toss it. I don't know what its gonna take to get it going.

The boa was ready for another prey item and gladly would have taken it if I offered.

They seem to display better for me personally.

This is my Albino girl Little Boots. She is about 1.5 years old. I spend about 45 minutes a day with her (except after eating and during shed cycles). She is super tame. I have never been bit by her nor has she shown any aggression. She enjoys being out and is very curious and likes to explore. I love her patterns. Its almost like she has butterflies down her back. If you are going to get a boa, realize you do have to spend a lot more time with them. Good luck with your search. Sorry for the blurry pic. She couldn't sit still.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/886...2813091314.jpg

My girl Satin was a rescue, so we have no idea how old she really is. Doesn't matter though, 'cause she's the sweetest baby ever! Almost 6 feet of pure scale-y, muscle-y cuteness. :D She's NEVER hissed or tagged me (she's mistaken my bf for food though) and she's very well-behaved. You really can't go wrong with a BCI! Just be prepared for a larger, heavier snake that will need a large enclosure and a good supply of large rats one day. But I had a BP first too, and the difference is night and day. Satin doesn't mind being out, being held, or going outside when it's nice. I've surfed the web for almost an hour while she chilled on my shoulders. If you're looking for a more active, hands-on snake and you can meet the requirements, I'd definitely say go for it!

Here's me and my girl. :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5.../Photo0604.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5.../Photo0581.jpg

I love my boas. They are so much fun, and so darn busy. They do need a lot more room and attention than balls. Here are my two BCI's-

Guapo, Hypo
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/29/hysedyzy.jpg

Ripley, Albino
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/29/gupe8ape.jpg

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Originally Posted by DooLittle

I love my boas. They are so much fun, and so darn busy. They do need a lot more room and attention than balls. Here are my two BCI's-

Guapo, Hypo
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/29/hysedyzy.jpg

Ripley, Albino
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/29/gupe8ape.jpg

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What do you mean more attention? Do they get separation anxiety?

Lol Mike, no. More handling and out time. :rolleyes:

Boas are fantastic snakes! They are extremely curious and outgoing. Not much stresses them out and they have GREAT feeding responses!! They are active snakes so they do need larger enclosures and time outside the cage weekly, at the very least. Most truly enjoy being handled. They are more "in your face" than balls - they seem to zero in on your face and will really examine you. Some people find that intimidating, I love it.

Here are a few of my "kids".....

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...s/Pandora1.jpg
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/.../peaches03.jpg
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...ps05e37e40.jpg
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psa8b035bd.jpg
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...as/Roslin1.jpg
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...ojoprofile.jpg

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

Boas are fantastic snakes! They are extremely curious and outgoing. Not much stresses them out and they have GREAT feeding responses!! They are active snakes so they do need larger enclosures and time outside the cage weekly, at the very least. Most truly enjoy being handled. They are more "in your face" than balls - they seem to zero in on your face and will really examine you. Some people find that intimidating, I love it.

Here are a few of my "kids".....

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...s/Pandora1.jpg
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/.../peaches03.jpg
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...ps05e37e40.jpg
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psa8b035bd.jpg
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...as/Roslin1.jpg
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...ojoprofile.jpg

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Wow they are a gorgeous bunch!

My fiancee and I breed ball pythons and keep a few other "pet" snakes including an albino rtb named Spooky. She is right around two years old and is growing slowly but surely, and is almost as large as my big breeder balls. I love her so much! She is such an awesome addition to our family. She is much less nervous than our ball pythons and is very patient with us. She is much more active as well and loves to explore. She's also a nice garbage can when the BPs don't eat (:weirdface). One thing to keep in mind is they do get rather large, and dealing with a large snake is different than BPs. I suggest you go and find a breeder that will take some time to let you get to know some of their adults. They can show you the best ways to feed, handle, and also, how to avoid getting injured. We had a great experience with a breeder in NJ who taught us everything she knew about boas. We met Spooky's mom, dad, and older sister before taking Spooky home. It really helps to give you perspective for the future.

Great info from everybody. I don't think you can go wrong with a boa. It's a natural progression to go from a Royal to a boa. I still love our Royal, and would never trade it.

Best of both worlds! A manageable python, and a boa.

I love boas. They are one of my favorites. I started with ball pythons like most people and found I really didn't enjoy them. I bought my first boa and I was hooked. I now only have 3 ball pythons and I have 6 boas.

All mine have their own personalities and they are very sweet with few exceptions. I love showing them off so hope you do not mind the picture explosion that is about to happen!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/eve8ehav.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/u4ytu7e2.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/by6e4ape.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/9e7u6u8y.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/e9ary5y7.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/dy5y3esa.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/3ejyquqy.jpg

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Originally Posted by M&H

I love boas. They are one of my favorites. I started with ball pythons like most people and found I really didn't enjoy them. I bought my first boa and I was hooked. I now only have 3 ball pythons and I have 6 boas.

All mine have their own personalities and they are very sweet with few exceptions. I love showing them off so hope you do not mind the picture explosion that is about to happen!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/eve8ehav.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/u4ytu7e2.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/by6e4ape.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/9e7u6u8y.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/e9ary5y7.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/dy5y3esa.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/22/3ejyquqy.jpg

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Damn,, I love snake #2 and picture #3 is fantastic.

Love the "picture explosion"!

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Originally Posted by Gio

Damn,, I love snake #2 and picture #3 is fantastic.

Love the "picture explosion"!

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Thanks! They are my PC Aby pair. The second picture is a male PC Aby bred by Buddy Young.

The third is a poss super PC Aby Salmon also bred by Buddy Young.

Eventually these two will be paired up and *fingers crossed* make some crazy looking babies. The PC Aby stuff is pretty neat and not to many people are working with it.

If you have Facebook there are a few great boa groups that are constantly posting photos and giving great advice. For the most part they are drama free and always quick to offer help or support. Of course here is great too however sometimes boas can become hidden with all the ball python talk :)

M&H, what is the last boa pictured?? T+?? He is way cool......... :bow:

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

M&H, what is the last boa pictured?? T+?? He is way cool......... :bow:

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Yes ma'am he is a T+ albino Nicaraguan boa. He has all the attitude of one too lol but he is getting better.

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Originally Posted by M&H

Yes ma'am he is a T+ albino Nicaraguan boa. He has all the attitude of one too lol but he is getting better.

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I wondered if he was a Nic!! Gorgeous animal! I love the attitude, lol.... ;)