Should I Give It Another Try or Not?

[loonunit]

Oh, Kinra made the Hog Island boa suggestion, not me... but I'm happy to take credit!

"pencil thin head"--- does sound like she wasn't healthy.

[SuddenEclipse]

Whoops! Sorry! Thank you Kinra for the suggestion! LOL, I got all excited and wasn't reading right.

And thank you everyone for your responses and suggestions!

I am really torn now between a Hog Island and a Ball Python! Definitely think I will get a male of whatever I pick just so it will stay a little smaller.

Pros of Hog Islands -
They are less picky eaters.
The whole changing color thing is kinda cool.

Cons of Hog Islands -
My fancy acrylic tank is 24" long, 20" wide, and 18" high, and it is designed specifically for ball pythons. Would this even work for a HI? Based on what I'm reading a 40gallon would be the minimal space for a juvenile, and so probably a 55 gallon+ for an adult. Does this sound right? I realize I would have a couple years to get a bigger tank if I got a young one, but I want to know exactly what I'm getting into.

Pros of BP -
I already have all the stuff & know what I'm getting into, despite what happened before.

Cons of BP-
Can be picky eaters (which drives me crazy and my KSB has me spoiled by only missing a meal on the week she is in shed. She actually eats twice a week.)
Can be moody (but I guess all snakes can be so this is probably a dumb thing to say.)

Basically what I need is a Kenyan Sand Boa that can hang on to me LOL, and something I can see a little better since Vicious is always burrowed under the aspen bedding.

I am a small person so definitely want to keep it under 6ft and not too heavy. I am 5'4" and built like a stick LOL

[Kinra]

If you get a male I think you could keep him pretty happy in that enclosure. The fact that it was designed for a BP means it will probably hold humidity better. I currently have mine in 16qt tubs.

Male Hog Islands average about 4ft, so they are roughly the size of a ball python. If you do decide to go with a Hog Island make sure you get it from a good breeder and make sure it's a pure hog island boa and not some type of cross, those tend to get bigger.

[jjmitchell]

If I were you, whatever I replaced this animal with I would buy from some one reputable be it a GOOD store, or a breeder.

[Annarose15]

You can absolutely find a young BP that is already feeding on F/T. I switched all of my hatchlings as soon as they were eating regularly (some after two live meals, some after two months). I have also bought hatchlings from breeders that I requested they offer F/T until they could ship (was very hot). Long story short, just ask the breeder and be willing to keep looking if they can't accomodate you.

[SuddenEclipse]

Gosh Kinra, you keep making me happier and happier with all this HI talk!

@JJMitchell - 110% agreed!

[Kinra]

Gosh Kinra, you keep making me happier and happier with all this HI talk!

Lol, my HIs are worming their way into a special place in my heart. Mine are super sweet and have fun personalities. If I didn't have such a large collection of ball pythons I would probably get more of them.