Boa personality that great?

[theJuju]

I've been reading these forums like crazy since getting my first ball python recently. I've never read anyone saying they'd choose to keep their BP over their boa. I've read a lot of people saying how they love their boa's personality.

Why is this? What is their personality like, and what's the difference?

(Not that I can afford another snake or plan on getting a boa as a first time snake owner still, I'm just curious. )

[TheSnakeEye]

From my understanding, they have more personality. Ball pythons, pretty much stay curled up while boas love to move around and explore. They have great temperaments too.

[Kinra]

Boas are very curious, but then again none of my BPs seem to act like BPs since they are also on the move a lot when I have them out. I truly believe my boas enjoying being out of their cages. They are much harder to put back because they don't want to go back. They also like to climb and aren't shy like BPs. Feeding responses are usually great with boas too. I love all of my snakes, but my favorite in my entire collection is my first boa, Candy.

[aldebono]

I love my ball pythons and I love my hog island boa but for different reasons.

My balls are all very predictable (which I love) and easy to handle. I can stick my hand in any bin and know what they are going to do. Some like to sit while others want to explore. Some are pretty happy and want to visit with you, while others are hissy. They aren't very watchful about their surroundings until something scares them, then they ball up. They don't perch very well and are pretty clumsy. Balls aren't mindless by any means, and it differs from individual but they are a little dim in the intelligence department IMHO.

My hog island is also pretty predictable and easy to handle but you can't go rummaging around in her tank at least without you putting a firm hand on her to let her know you aren't food. We don't feed her in the tank but she is still very excitable. She is an angel once you get her out. Never had a problem with her around anyone. She can sit still and explore equally. You can put her on a chair and she will watch everyone who walks by. She reaches up for the shower curtain rod to sit while I am showering. She watches and observes, she knows where she is and who is there. She just seems smarter and more like a top predator.

I love them both and wouldn't give either away.

[xFenrir]

Agreed. I love my Ball, but when it comes to a snake you can REALLY interact with I'd say my boa wins. I've never seen a more literally in-your-face animal, and they're always very curious. Another thing is that my boa will chill around my neck while I watch TV or surf the web, but my Ball? Forget it, she's always trying to escape.

My boa comes out more simply because she seems to actually like it, not get spazzed out and curl up. xD

[BigJ]

As others have said boas are just more exploratory and seem to like being out and about. Getting a big female back into her cage can really be a task! The best way I can put it is that they seem to be more of an interactive animal than a ball.

I had two ball pythons, and ended up selling both and now have 6 boas. Once I got my first boa its all I wanted to keep!

[purplemuffin]

Yeah... Ball pythons are adorable, but they don't do as much. You can have them in your hands and they might just sit there. A boa isn't going to sit there. He will climb, move, be curious, whatever. My boa loves to reach out to whatever is nearest to her, even if it's like ten feet away which is hilarious--you'll see her stretch like 80 percent of her body straight horizontally in the air trying to get to a chair she wants to climb on. Lol, I love it.

Not to mention, you never really have trouble getting a boa to eat, so feeding time is never a pain!

[boadaddy]

I've owned BP's in the past and will never buy one again! Sorry but they are just so dang boring, ya there's all kinds of morphs now but still not happening!! I own 17 boas and the only python I would ever let into my house would be a lav albino super tiger SD retic, strictly as a pet lol. My boas love to come out and explore & interact and like others have stated aren't too big on going back into their enclosures. I feed all my boas in their cages and have only one aggressive boa, but he was psycho when I got him so that doesn't even count. I love not having to force feed a snake or not having to worry because my snake won't eat, not gonna happen with a boa unless it's sick or other living conditions are off.

[Highline Reptiles South]

To me I get the feeling that that my Boas are just a boatload smarter than Balls. I love my balls, but I swear my boa looks me in the eye. Mine wraps on my arm and does NOT want to go back He also is great to have around when you have BPs as he handles any refused prey.

[BigJ]

To me I get the feeling that that my Boas are just a boatload smarter than Balls. I love my balls, but I swear my boa looks me in the eye. Mine wraps on my arm and does NOT want to go back He also is great to have around when you have BPs as he handles any refused prey.

Hahaha thats an interesting concept...I think I just found my new motto:

"every ball python owner should have at least one boa around; to ensure there are no leftovers after feeding day!"