kenyan sand boa vs bp?

[Naomijoy]

So...total newbie here. We had pretty much decided on a bp as our first snake (the kids even held one yesterday and got excited about it!) but then was offered the chance to purchase a 3 month old Sand Boa from someone. From what I understand the guy had a surprise of 7 little hatchlings and hadn't been planning on it?
so for a newbie with little kids (ages 4 and 6) which is the better snake? What should I know about the boa's?

[ChrisS]

I don't know a whole lot about sand boas, but from what I've read and the few I've held, they are great animals. I think in this case it really depends on which one has your interest more. Both bps and ksbs are going to be fine for your kids. And either will be a great first snake. If you can't decide you could always just get both.

[carlson]

I agree with Chris just get both I think sand boas stay smaller when adults. But other then that I don't know much about them, I know my first snake was a male ball python and he made me comfortable with the husbandry and care and is also the reason I did all my plaining for breeding (starting soon ) he also was hardy enough to with stand all of my many noob mistakes I made in the beginning lol

[TheSnakeGuy]

The only drawback is see in having a sand boa is that they're a burrowing snake that like to stay hidden under their substrate all the time. As pretty as they are you won't see then much unless you're handling them.

[3skulls]

My BPs are out more than the sand boas. A ball python in an open tank might be in a hide just as much as a sand boa in under the substrate.

My nieces liked my sand boas way more because of their little faces.
They are 9 and 10

Off the top of my head. An adult male SB will be around 80-100g / female 150g

I don't have kids but I would go with a sand boa for a first snake for them.

Just a thought.
Not pushing you in that direction. I'm a fan of all snakes.

[Naomijoy]

thank you for the replies...every bit helps!
are bp's a lot easier to care for (mistake forgiving!!) for a newbie? I'm so freaking nervous that I'm going to kill some inocent snake. It's not an animal I've been around much and I feel like I don't know enough to even know if I'm making mistakes...

[3skulls]

Here is a care sheet for sand boas.

http://vpi.com/publications/kenyan_s...ation_and_care

[Anyanka'sgeckos]

I think my sand boas are easier personally, they are not picky eaters, or there are less picky eaters then BP. I love both though.

[BLM94]

Sand boas are far more forgiving in the humidity department ( which is responsible for a lot of RI problems newbies often encounter). They are also significantly smaller than a BP once they reach adulthood as 3skulls mentioned above.

Neither a KSB or a BP will be a real 'shower' until you take them out to handle, KSBs burrow while a healthy BP will normally just chill out in his hide for most of the day. Really just a matter of preference on that one.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to go for!