Hogg Island Boa vs. Ball Python?

Okay ive been thinking about this topic for soooo long now.

Should i get a ball python(either a pinstripe or spider) , or a Hogg Island Boa?


I have barely enough room for a Hogg island boa tank(60 gal), but they are so pretty and tame.


the only thing is, this would be the last snake i get for a few years. and i want it to be somehting good. they are both good, but i love how the Hogg gets big.SEE!!!! i cant decide!!!

i would like to hear from anybody who has a hogg island and let me know anything i should know about them as well

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Originally Posted by bamf64

Okay ive been thinking about this topic for soooo long now.

Should i get a ball python(either a pinstripe or spider) , or a Hogg Island Boa?


I have barely enough room for a Hogg island boa tank(60 gal), but they are so pretty and tame.


the only thing is, this would be the last snake i get for a few years. and i want it to be somehting good. they are both good, but i love how the Hogg gets big.SEE!!!! i cant decide!!!

i would like to hear from anybody who has a hogg island and let me know anything i should know about them as well

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I couldn't help but notice you voted in your own poll about what you should get. If you voted for the Hogg Island Boa, go for it! The big size is great, and someone is going to chime in and say that you shouldn't need other people's opinions affect your decision, but sometimes people need advising. Anyways, I have a bp, and he's the sweetest thing, I just wish I had gotten something that got larger, cause I don't know about you, but I like a challenge.

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Originally Posted by abuja

I couldn't help but notice you voted in your own poll about what you should get. If you voted for the Hogg Island Boa, go for it! The big size is great, and someone is going to chime in and say that you shouldn't need other people's opinions affect your decision, but sometimes people need advising. Anyways, I have a bp, and he's the sweetest thing, I just wish I had gotten something that got larger, cause I don't know about you, but I like a challenge.

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well if i can find a tank big enough ill get the hogg. but if not ill go for the ball

Dont forget the Hogg Island Boa is considered a dwarf boa, acheiving lengths of only 5ft

Definitely get a pinstripe or spider ball python!
Actually, hog island boas are pretty sweet and I would seriously get one too if I just wasn't wrapped up in breeding balls.

I most likely prefer the BPs. I'm more into pythons rather than the boas, even though I do own a boa. I would love to own a Red Tail though, but I would much rather keep a JCP than a Red Tail. BPs are beautiful, especially those Spiders and Pinstripes. I think the Pinstripe is even better than the Spiders, and I'm crazy for Spiders. In my opinion, I find the BPs easier to care for and make wonderful pets. When I got my first BP, I knew what snakes I wanted. Just over 2 months ago, I purchased a beautiful little boy for her (to breed next year, of course). BPs are great snakes, and I know you will have a lot of fun with having one. If you wanted a BP but only think it will not grow that large, a female can max a good 4-5 ft and over (maybe a bit over 5, rarely ever get 6 feet but some get very close). Plus, if you feed it large meals, you will have one bulky 5 foot female, and that's what I'm aiming for with my female. The big BPs are fun to handle, just because of their size :]. I just find BPs very interesting and very fun to have. Even though they rarely wander around during the day time, it's such a wonderful pet to own. I actually don't even mind the snake hiding. The thing about that is that when they hide people say, "Well, where's the snake?" and once you take it out there beholds a beautiful BP which seems to impress the people and most likely make them think, "Wow, that is a very beautiful snake!!".

I have both. If you want a more active snake that will be handled often i would go for the hogg. Boas just seem much more social and interactive. I have a spider and he hates being held....plus if you go for a ball dont forget about the wobbles in the spiders, i think it really makes a difference on their personality.

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

I most likely prefer the BPs. I'm more into pythons rather than the boas, even though I do own a boa. I would love to own a Red Tail though, but I would much rather keep a JCP than a Red Tail. BPs are beautiful, especially those Spiders and Pinstripes. I think the Pinstripe is even better than the Spiders, and I'm crazy for Spiders. In my opinion, I find the BPs easier to care for and make wonderful pets. When I got my first BP, I knew what snakes I wanted. Just over 2 months ago, I purchased a beautiful little boy for her (to breed next year, of course). BPs are great snakes, and I know you will have a lot of fun with having one. If you wanted a BP but only think it will not grow that large, a female can max a good 4-5 ft and over (maybe a bit over 5, rarely ever get 6 feet but some get very close). Plus, if you feed it large meals, you will have one bulky 5 foot female, and that's what I'm aiming for with my female. The big BPs are fun to handle, just because of their size :]. I just find BPs very interesting and very fun to have. Even though they rarely wander around during the day time, it's such a wonderful pet to own. I actually don't even mind the snake hiding. The thing about that is that when they hide people say, "Well, where's the snake?" and once you take it out there beholds a beautiful BP which seems to impress the people and most likely make them think, "Wow, that is a very beautiful snake!!".

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ya i kinda narrowed it down to a pinstripe or a Blood Python lol. ive wanted one for a asupr long time i just hadnt researchd them b4. do they pretty much require the same care as a BP? 85-90F, aspen,2hides,waterbowl, plants? how big of a tank do they need?

to tel u the truth, it all depends on what i can afford at the show. so i kind of just have too see what happens. its a 50/50 chance.

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Originally Posted by bamf64

ya i kinda narrowed it down to a pinstripe or a Blood Python lol. ive wanted one for a asupr long time i just hadnt researchd them b4. do they pretty much require the same care as a BP? 85-90F, aspen,2hides,waterbowl, plants? how big of a tank do they need?

to tel u the truth, it all depends on what i can afford at the show. so i kind of just have too see what happens. its a 50/50 chance.

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BPs are pretty cheap. I guess the cage requirements would be similar, but BPs prefer a warm side of temps between 88F-94F and a humidity level between 50%-60%. I love the Bloods too, just so awesome how bulky they can get. I was thinking of a Blood, but now I think about it I may just go ahead and get that JCP because I've always wanted one but the Bloods are getting my interest. Though, it depends on the BP part. I would LOVE to get a Pinstripe, or even a Spider, but either is fine. If Pinstripes are cheaper or run about the same price as a Spider, I am seriously getting a Pinstripe. No doubt about it. Do you know how much Pinstripes are? Seriously I would love one to be a part of my collection :].

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

BPs are pretty cheap. I guess the cage requirements would be similar, but BPs prefer a warm side of temps between 88F-94F and a humidity level between 50%-60%. I love the Bloods too, just so awesome how bulky they can get. I was thinking of a Blood, but now I think about it I may just go ahead and get that JCP because I've always wanted one but the Bloods are getting my interest. Though, it depends on the BP part. I would LOVE to get a Pinstripe, or even a Spider, but either is fine. If Pinstripes are cheaper or run about the same price as a Spider, I am seriously getting a Pinstripe. No doubt about it. Do you know how much Pinstripes are? Seriously I would love one to be a part of my collection :].

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they can run anywhere from 250-400$

I will probably get bashed for posting this on ball-pythons.net, but I think Ball Pythons are pretty boring snakes. Of course all I have is a BP and a Burm and soon to be getting a BCI. But I can say this, I think this is true for boas, I know it is true for Burms. They are just so much less shy! My bp will be held, but constantly tries to escape and get into every little space it can to get away from me. I love him dearly, but he's just not as exciting as my burm, he likes to investigate, and doesn't have a hissy fit if you go near his head. And the feeding response, it scares me sometimes. I hear similar things about boas too.

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Originally Posted by tbowman

I will probably get bashed for posting this on ball-pythons.net, but I think Ball Pythons are pretty boring snakes. Of course all I have is a BP and a Burm and soon to be getting a BCI. But I can say this, I think this is true for boas, I know it is true for Burms. They are just so much less shy! My bp will be held, but constantly tries to escape and get into every little space it can to get away from me. I love him dearly, but he's just not as exciting as my burm, he likes to investigate, and doesn't have a hissy fit if you go near his head. And the feeding response, it scares me sometimes. I hear similar things about boas too.

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i actually made my final decision of a Boa. i want an array of snakes and since this is my last snake for a while i wanted something unique and that got bigger.

i like the boas head better than the BP, but ball pythons are smaller, and they just seem cute.

IMO,
Boas: COOL
Pythons: CUTE

i chose cute *-*;

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Originally Posted by sheffernan13

Dont forget the Hogg Island Boa is considered a dwarf boa, acheiving lengths of only 5ft

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Yes.. The Hogg Island is considered a true dwarf boa. They max out at around 5 ft and breed at around 4 ft. Im not sure where you are getting your info about them being a "big" boa because they are not. If you truly wanted a big boa you would go for a red tail. Columbian, Surinam, Guyana. Which all can get to 8 to 10 feet at least.

Hoggs are very nice boas to have and fairly easy to house due to their small size. You do know its really up to you what you get.. Not bp.net users..

If you are going to get a snake. No matter what it is. Get the one you are positive you can afford. That means everything you would need to house and care for the snake properly. If size is the only deciding factor then you shouldnt be worried about what we think.. Get what you like best.

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Originally Posted by sheffernan13

Dont forget the Hogg Island Boa is considered a dwarf boa, acheiving lengths of only 5ft

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Actually most adults max out at 6-7 feet i think because thats the size of most adults i see.

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Originally Posted by BigLu

I have both. If you want a more active snake that will be handled often i would go for the hogg. Boas just seem much more social and interactive. I have a spider and he hates being held....plus if you go for a ball dont forget about the wobbles in the spiders, i think it really makes a difference on their personality.

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what's the wobbles?

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what's the wobbles?

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Spiders have thing called wobbling which is when there head does sort of a twitch or wobble:). Its a genetic thing. Its in almost every spider and the severity of it differs from snake to snake. Ive read that it can eventually develop in a growing snakes so a spider that is "wobble free" wont exactly stay that way forever if what ive read it true. It shouldnt affect their feeding response or health. Stress usually triggers the wobble along with feeding time. Im not an expert so if something is wrong someone please correct me. :D

I actually have an '07 female hog island boa and she's already hit 6'. And most of the pictures I've seen of adult females none were as small as just 5'. Maybe some of the very first imports were that small, but it seems any out there now are a bit larger and reach the 8' range for females as adults.

if you want a hogg that will get bigger get a girl. They can sometimes grow to be large. Id ask about the parents size to get an idea. I have a female hogg and shes great. A little head shy but her feeding responce is crazy.

do any of the other morphs display any weird behavior like the spiders?

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Originally Posted by Kryptonian

if you want a hogg that will get bigger get a girl. They can sometimes grow to be large. Id ask about the parents size to get an idea. I have a female hogg and shes great. A little head shy but her feeding responce is crazy.

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I have a female hogg Island also, she's about 1600 grams. and , I agree about the feeding response. My boa eats anything and everything without hesitation.

how much did you pay for yours ?

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Originally Posted by Kryptonian

if you want a hogg that will get bigger get a girl. They can sometimes grow to be large. Id ask about the parents size to get an idea. I have a female hogg and shes great. A little head shy but her feeding responce is crazy.

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I have to agree here.. It really depends on where the original parents or grand parents came from. These snakes will interbreed in the wild and may look just like a Hogg Island but have some other genes in there. Some breeders like Vin Russo only use breeders from their original import stock and they dont ever interbreed from one type to another. Thus keeping the blood lines pure. When buying a snake like that you should be able to get all the info on its parents and grandparents before buying if you want a true version of whatever boa you are looking at.. There are numerous types of "dwarf locality" boas but many are not pure. A great example is the difference between a Surinam and a Guyana boa. They use to think they were the same snake but now its known that they are 2 completely different snakes but as far as importing goes, its hard to find one or the other in its pure form. The 2 have interbred and they look so identicle that you would never know what you are getting if you dont know what subtle traits to look for between the 2.

I personally have both a hogg island and a spider and I use to have a pinstripe. If all it was going to be is a pet, I'd go for the Hogg. Better feeder BY FAR than the balls, even though my spider is a good feeder, he still refuses way more than the Boa. BOA ALL THE WAY FOR A PET!!!

I hate spiders and pins. They look good in combos but I don't like them alone. And Hoggs are beautiful.