After keeping ball pythons for several years, and loving them very much, I am looking at getting a boa strictly for pet purposes (i.e. no breeding, shows, etc). I prefer a medium-ish snake since I have a bad leg and mobility can be an issue. Anything over 10" would be a concern. For this reason I settled on either rainbow or hog island. I am looking for input from owners here on the forum.

What is the temprament of adult rainbow and hog island boas? I read they can be very snippy especially when hungry.

Do they take multiple rats well, versus a single rabbit? I see some owners feed chickens but this doesn't seem to be common?

Is there major concern about transmitting IBD from boas to balls and vice versa? Should I keep the enclosures on opposite sides of the home to minimize risk?

Which is your preference, rainbow or hog island and why?