Boa vs. Ball Python

[FrDoc]

I’ve done a lot of research and am pretty much perplexed in a decision. I know the various discussions pro and con of both. I post this because I’m thinking my conundrum may be answered, or at least clarified by input from past or present keepers of either or both. I’m not looking for comparative characteristics or husbandry information, but simple practical input as to why folks who have kept them either liked them or didn’t, especially those who may have kept both. Hypothetical example, “I’ve kept both, gave my boa away because I hated it (reason), and now I have 20 BP’s.”

 

[viper69]

I keep both. Short answer- it doesn't matter

The only thing you will see is some BP owners will have BPs that stop eating for a while. I've never had that with the BPs I keep. I don't just keep BPs though from the python group.

If you are concerned about size- there are species from both camps under 6'. Not many to choose from mind you.

What specifically are you wondering about?

 

[FrDoc]

I keep both. Short answer- it doesn't matter

The only thing you will see is some BP owners will have BPs that stop eating for a while. I've never had that with the BPs I keep. I don't just keep BPs though from the python group.

If you are concerned about size- there are species from both camps under 6'. Not many to choose from mind you.

What specifically are you wondering about?

Pretty much just trying to glean some real world anecdotal responses to keeping both. I generally shun subjective answers to questions, however that’s exactly what I’m looking for here, in short, opinions.

 

[viper69]

BPs can be a bit more shy, ie less likely to strike even when hungry. That's not true for all python species at all.

Same for boas- behavior is dictated by specimen of course, but also by locality to some extent. Like Nics, those boas were sought after because they were smaller, but they are generally nippy. There's a more new locality however that has similar size but not the nippy attitude.

Are you going to breed? If so, I'd get a Dominican Island Red Mountain Boas, I almost bought some, not alot of people have them, and from a pair, you could potentially end up with about 8+ color and pattern morphs in the same batch of babies. These boas have an incredible amount of genetic diversity!!!
Good nature too.

There's no real difference overall in my experience with balls and boas, nothing that makes me choose one over the other.

I chose a BP first due to size. I didn't know about any small species of boa yet, once I did, I immediately went after the type of boa I own.

You'll hear people say they bought a boa because of the head shape over a ball python, OR a bp because it has heat pits for infra-red.

Some people get boas because many are arboreal, and balls are not.

It's like comparing a H. chilensis to a G. pulchripes in some ways if that helps.

 

[zeeman]

I've had both going on 13 years now. I started with ball pythons and got up to around 10 before I got my first boa. I think I've only owned boas for about 5, but might be closer to 7. Would have to check records. Mine are pets, dont breed them. Thought about it at a hobbyist level, but frankly the bp market is blown out and God knows what happens to one's that don't sell. These are animals after all.

For BP's they are a pretty lazy snake and all my albino variants - regular albino, spider albino, and lavender albino - only eat live mice. They do have the most large ranging and beautiful patterns. Pretty much if you think of it, its probably out there. They are fun to "handle" and will explore but they aren't an overly active snake.

For boas, they are obviously a larger snake. Have better feeding response, and are nippier in my experience as babies. They certainly get larger but are a fun size, and for me the extent of the size poop I'd want to deal with. Beyond a boa as well, the larger snakes go where they want as opposed to you controlling them. They have a lot of beautiful morphs which will probably be more expensive compared to a BP equivalent. Personality can vary but in my experience they are a more active/ interactive snake. I also think the fact they have live birth and the lack of pits is pretty cool. Head shape is very cool as well.

My vote would be for the boa if you have the space. Even the smaller boa variants will want space to move. They feed better, I've never had stuck sheds with them, and they interact while handling.

 

[viper69]

If you want a boa, B.c.i., that maxes out at 6’ or less let me know