BOA keeping vs BP keeping

[MrBeeBow]

we have a BP and a LEO and home but they are my kids, im interested in a boa as i want a bigger snake, from what i have seen BOA's and BP's require similar care, is this the case?

[Sauzo]

I keep my boas and BP pretty much the same and they have been fine for 4-5 years. Around 77-80F ambient with a 86-88F hot spot with flexwatt. Keep humidity around 65-75%.

[Aedryan Methyus]

What Sauzo said... I keep my Boas and Ball Pythons in the same rack with identical temperatures and humidity. Someone once told me that Boas "can" pass IBD (Inclusion Body Disease) on to Ball Pythons. I'm honestly not sure how true that is, but just to be safe I am always sure to use hand sanitizer when switching back and forth between handling different species. It's my understanding that Ball Pythons can contract IBD from other Ball Pythons, too. If that is the case, I don't see what the difference is. Maybe someone else here could clear that up?

[MD_Pythons]

Well if you want something bigger than a bp and with similar care what about a Carpet Python? They can be kept at the same temps and have similar humidity requirements. They aren't too big, have a great feeding response and they're pretty undemanding captives.

[MrBeeBow]

Well if you want something bigger than a bp and with similar care what about a Carpet Python? They can be kept at the same temps and have similar humidity requirements. They aren't too big, have a great feeding response and they're pretty undemanding captives.

i haven't look at those real close, ill do some research.

[Craiga 01453]

Are you thinking bigger like longer and more slender or bigger like more body mass?

[Kcl]

What Sauzo said... I keep my Boas and Ball Pythons in the same rack with identical temperatures and humidity. Someone once told me that Boas "can" pass IBD (Inclusion Body Disease) on to Ball Pythons. I'm honestly not sure how true that is, but just to be safe I am always sure to use hand sanitizer when switching back and forth between handling different species. It's my understanding that Ball Pythons can contract IBD from other Ball Pythons, too. If that is the case, I don't see what the difference is. Maybe someone else here could clear that up?

The difference is that boa species are thought to be able to be asymptomatic carriers for far longer (possibly years) than ball pythons. IBD research is still on-going, so any facts about it often have to be taken with a grain of salt, but if it is true that boas can be asymptomatic for years whereas pythons die quickly, it would put the ball pythons at far more risk from the boas than from each other as quarantine for even 3+ months wouldn't necessarily mean the boa was free of the virus.

[Aedryan Methyus]

The difference is that boa species are thought to be able to be asymptomatic carriers for far longer (possibly years) than ball pythons. IBD research is still on-going, so any facts about it often have to be taken with a grain of salt, but if it is true that boas can be asymptomatic for years whereas pythons die quickly, it would put the ball pythons at far more risk from the boas than from each other as quarantine for even 3+ months wouldn't necessarily mean the boa was free of the virus.

Thanks for the info! I have been wondering about that for awhile. It sucks that there is potential for that added risk factor...

[Jus1More]

Thanks for the info! I have been wondering about that for awhile. It sucks that there is potential for that added risk factor...

BTW...How is Misty and Dexter doing? Have you made it yet to see the vet?

[Aedryan Methyus]

BTW...How is Misty and Dexter doing? Have you made it yet to see the vet?

Yup... They went to the vets on Thursday. Thanks for asking... Both of them are being treated with medicine and hopefully on their way to recovery...

Dexter:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...is-Month/page9

Misty:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...nfection/page3