choosing family snake, need opinions!!!!

I am choosing our family snake: have it down to 4;
Albino Red tailed boa female -$350
Albino ball python male- $600
100% Het. for piedbald ball python female- $600
spider ball python female - $250
top of the budget is $600-open to other suggestions.

all are very nice and good quality/markings.
Which would you choose? why? I would like to breed in the future-love genetics.
I do have children, however have plenty of room. All suggestion and advice appreciated. I do have some experience.

Pick a species you like the best, fits what you want in handling and size, and then pick from available morphs :)

Seems like you've narrowed things down to either a ball python or RTB. Both are common enough in the pet trade, and both make great pets and can be handled (supervised handling) by children if the snake is known to be friendly.

Personally, I've decided I much prefer snakes that get a bit bigger. They are just more impressive, more fun to handle, and more rewarding to keep. I'd vote RTB because they can have great dispositions while being beautiful and get big enough to interest me.

Ball pythons are GREAT too, but they are less active and lazier than other snakes out there, which makes them less fun to handle IMO, though they are very comforting to handle and have sit in your lap while watching TV. In addition, they often have GREAT temperments, even as hatchlings (though there are exceptions as always).

I'd suggest you also look at some of the slightly less common snake species that you won't find at any petsmart/petco. Carpet pythons, Woma Pythons, heck any of the australian pythons are very interesting. Many aussie species are great handlers and are active with perfect temperments. On top of that they are B-E-A-Utiful!

You might also want to look at super dwarf reticulated pythons.. also very high on my wish list.

If you are prepared to be able to take care of a snake that will get very thick bodied and large (including paying for proper housing)....


Get the albino boa for sure. Unless you plan on breeding snakes I think you will have much more fun with a Boa than a ball python.

spider ball great price and great morph and plus u have extra money for food and the cage and everthing else good 2 save mulaa :taz:

i'd go with the spider. but if not that one, any of the balls. good starters from what i hear :P its going to be mine.

If you have small children in the house, I'd definitely go with a ball. RTBs can exceed ten feet, meaning they are not exactly easy (or safe; a red tail could easily kill a child) to handle. Meanwhile, kids love BPs. I've got young brothers and cousins, all of whom love holding the BP. Don't get me wrong; RTBs are awesome pets, I'd kill to have one if I had the space, but maybe not the best choice for children.

As for choosing between the various balls, I'd go with the spider. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of pieds, and a het isn't nearly as nice as a morph. (Although I always argue that normals are my favorites. :D You really can't beat the gold on a normal.) Albinos are also awesome, but you may want a bit of extra cash around for feeders, caging, vet care, etc. Many people overlook the possible need for vet care and how expensive it is; I was one of those people. I got all of my animals from breeders, I didn't imagine I would have any issues. In the past three months, I have spent well over $500 on vet bills for my bearded dragon and ball python, which really put off my other plans.

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Originally Posted by Crazy4Herps

If you have small children in the house, I'd definitely go with a ball. RTBs can exceed ten feet, meaning they are not exactly easy (or safe; a red tail could easily kill a child) to handle. Meanwhile, kids love BPs. I've got young brothers and cousins, all of whom love holding the BP. Don't get me wrong; RTBs are awesome pets, I'd kill to have one if I had the space, but maybe not the best choice for children.

As for choosing between the various balls, I'd go with the spider. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of pieds, and a het isn't nearly as nice as a morph. (Although I always argue that normals are my favorites. :D You really can't beat the gold on a normal.) Albinos are also awesome, but you may want a bit of extra cash around for feeders, caging, vet care, etc. Many people overlook the possible need for vet care and how expensive it is; I was one of those people. I got all of my animals from breeders, I didn't imagine I would have any issues. In the past three months, I have spent well over $500 on vet bills for my bearded dragon and ball python, which really put off my other plans.

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Most RTB males run average at about 7ft and females at about 9ft.
I've never personally seen a boa more than 10 feet.. that doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but they usually don't get that large from what I've been told on here and from reading.
Also, 7ft+ is enough for two people to be in the room. Some say 8 or 9ft too, but I don't think they would genuinely go after the children unless they did something to seriously p/o the snake (since they could not eat them nor do they smell good) so that's kind-of a harsh accusation.

OP, you can get more expensive depending on how you plan to house the animal. You can get tubs for much less expensive prices and your snake could be more expensive as a result. Remember you could be spending up to 200 dollars on a snakes husbandry, so key that into costs. A thermostat ($80-120) is required as well as a UTH, two hides, substrate, thermometers and prolonged feeding costs of rats. The bigger the animal, the more expensive the cages, equipment, and feeders become.

Get an Orange Ghost, they are gorgeous and will run you only about 350-450.

good info. FYI. Breeder says the mom and dad of the RTB are 5' and 6' (mom)
Thanks again everybody, and other responses are greatly appreciated.

Since snake's are fairly long lived, I'd sit down the whole family and show them pictures of both the hatchling and adult version of all the snakes you listed. Get a general idea of what intrigues the family, what you and yours feel you can handle and house properly up to it's full mature size and what in the end just makes you go "ohhhh I really, really want that one!". Then research that species to make sure it fits your lifestyle and what your expectations are. For instance most boa's will take a lot of handling more than most ball pythons will (within reason of course). However, boas generally have a longer and more aggressive strike/feed response (if that's a concern for you). Also consider your family's previous snakekeeping experience, sources for food for the snake that are convenient for you, etc.

The decision to purchase a snake and get the right one for you is important so it's great that your family is taking the time to do it right. :)

i say if you are only interested in a single snake I get th visible morph( so that dropes the 100% het pied) since you won't get a pied until can either breed it to another 100% het pied or pied.

I also would be looking at a couple things if going with a rtb, The likely hood of the family getting tired of it ( this size snake does scare people from visiting even if they know it locked in another room) My mother got friends that refuse to visit her cause of the boa I rescued. I also would point out once it gets so large it will need something along the size of a 8x8 room for a comfortable cage. I found that mine prefers to roam the room and such versus staying in her 2x4 cage. I don't take her outside as much now cause it does freak the neighbors out when they see her from a far( one neighbor is really scared but his daughter wants the snake lol..)


I think the main issue to consider is future funds for food, current and possible area restictions that may be. I know my rtb she only 7-8 ft long but she would eat 2 large rats or a full grown rabbit if I had them to give her all the time. (locally I know large rats are at least 8 bucks each and I not prices a rabbit as a feeder since I know they not cheap.

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Originally Posted by mechnut450

(locally I know large rats are at least 8 bucks each and I not prices a rabbit as a feeder since I know they not cheap.

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http://www.rodentpro.com/catalog.asp...el=frozen_rats

Large rats, less than 2 bucks each before shipping, and I guarantee that shipping isn't going to be 6 bucks per rat.

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

http://www.rodentpro.com/catalog.asp...el=frozen_rats

Large rats, less than 2 bucks each before shipping, and I guarantee that shipping isn't going to be 6 bucks per rat.

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Thats why you buy in bulk..

I would choose the Spider Ball python. I love Spiders they are beautiful morphs. I really want to start breeding Spiders once I get into breeding. Personally I would get the Spider, but whatever snake you like you should get it.

I suggest the spider female, selected for good temperment. Spiders generally DO have good temperments, and generally are excellent feeders with reasonably outgoing personalities. This makes them a good bet as ball morphs go. None of the other morphs have as good a reputation when it comes to reliable feeding.