RT Boa or Burmese Python that is the question

[drugaria]

Help me decide, I like both of them but have room only for one giant. I like the apperance of both snakes . Main factor in my buying decision is the handling and personality of both species. Not so much the size and feeding habbits, as long as it doesn't feed on me !!! So far I have 2 Ball Pythons in my collection and a Garter. Please help me make a decision based on your experiences with these 2 types.

[Patrick Long]

well. depending on the RTB, the burm will be bigger. myself personally like the bos for the fact of the different morphs out there, and live birth = more babies!

[Shelby]

I would not recommend a burm to a person who has only kept small snakes. Even males can hit 100lbs.. not something to take lightly.

Red tails are nice big snakes, but not giants. A nice colombian red tail is a much better choice in my opinion.. most are very docile and beautiful. There are quite a few morphs available as well.

[ladywhipple02]

Agreed, RTB's are not giants as defined in snakes. Giants are burms, retics, afrocks, condas... snakes that grow in excess of fifteen feet and weigh over a 100 lbs.

There is no question in my mind... go with the boa! They are an excellent entrance into the world of larger snakes without dropping you into the deep end. They are also very fun snakes to care for, usually very calm, always curious and outgoing...

But hey, I'm biased!

[Patrick Long]

no its true. the boas are so much more out going than balls. they are curious, and wont hesitate to investigate (awesome rap line!)

[drugaria]

do you know of any boa breeders in MA? Petco over here sell Redtails for $169 which I think is a lot but I'm no expert .
I don't wanna order a snake online without getting a feel of its personality first. I think Craigs list is out of the question either because my last snake I got from there came with extras ( little black extras )

[MarkS]

I've kept both and personally I like Burms better. If you want a big snake, boas hardly qualify, but burms can get quite large. The burms I've know just seem to have nicer personalities then the boas I've known. I guess it all comes down to, 'what do YOU like best?' In any case I would suggest getting a small one as your first. That way you can grow into them and make your mistakes while they're still small enough that those mistakes won't have as serious of consequences.

[drugaria]

I came accross a boa that I really liked 3ft 8months old at a pet store, seems to be as docile as my BP . So it seems to be a docile snake no aggression at all although I kind of tried to provoke it to strike but it didin't . Its behavior is like my ball probably more curious . So I think I'm gonna buy it today . And I'll post piuctures if all goes well.

[frankykeno]

I kind of tried to provoke it to strike but it didin't .

How'd you do that?

[drugaria]

I tried to piss it off while it was still in it's own enclosure .