Ball Python or Boa

knads06 · 05-04-04, 07:47 PM

This is my first post on this site and i havent done any searching yet so sorry if this question has been asked 1000 times but im looking into buying my first snake and im just wondering which of the two are a better snake to buy.
Im in between a ball python and boa because my friends own both and if u didnt guess half tell me to get a boa and others tell me to get the python. Are pythons good snakes and somewhat calm? Any help would be appreciated

C.m.pyrrhus · 05-04-04, 07:57 PM

Boa. A rosy boa would make a great first boid. If not a boa, I would choose another python species, such as a Childrens. Your not gonna find much of a difference here in what is "best" to start off with either. Many say Ball pythons are great, IMO I think they are not. There are many boids that are much better (and personally a ton better looking, better at feeding, maintaining husbandry,etc etc) to start with.

Another consideration are some of the colubrids out there. Corns, Mountain Kingsnakes, Thamnophis, etc, make great first snakes as well.

Rule of thumb. Research like crazy and be patient. Good luck.

knads06 · 05-04-04, 08:03 PM

thats whats ive been doing for over a week now. Ive been to every website out there and seem to find the same answers. My friends all have ball pythons and seem to like them. I just dont wanna get a snake thats going to attack me everytime i go to pick it up. Ive been told bp's are friendly

Big_V · 05-04-04, 09:07 PM

It all depends...personally I started with BP's....they are much smaller than boa's but colombian BCI's are very very nice animals. Id say a spotted python is a great choice. They seem to be the best starter snake. Do lots of research on the different species and find the one you will be able to care for best. Its the key to success.
BP's arent considered friendly they are just a shy snake. Your gonna have to be able to deal with anything the snake throws at you so getting bit is all part of the joy of keeping snakes. And dont turn away from colubrids....though I dont keep them they are great starter snakes. A corn snake is a great starter snake that you will be able to really interact with as well.

Lrptls · 05-04-04, 09:25 PM

i agree, colubrids have been labled starter snakes for a reason. many of them are very easy to care for and for the most part easily "tamed". i started with a garter but when she died i went straight to two 4 foot BCI's. it was a hard switch because of their size and it was 2 but in no time i was just fine with them. i wish i could have started with a smaller boa, it would have been much easier and i think if some one is responsable enough and finds the correct care sheets they could handle something like a BCI.
But for many people, colubrids are just the best to start with to help them get use to how to care for snakes on a smaller scale.
As for ball pythons....i have 2 and they are not my favorite snakes i have ever kept. they stop eating, they need humidity boxes when sheding, they can be very shy and very very jumpy. there size is nice but i would put them close to the bottom of my list as for a pet snake let alone a begginer.
But good luck, keep searching, almost any snake you get i'm sure you will enjoy.

wingl · 05-05-04, 11:15 AM

IMO I think Balls are really nice snakes to get into after Colubrids. As mentioned, they are shy, but get used to the handler quickly. They stop eating from late Oct. thru late Jan. and then resume eating. They don't grow very big, but big enough to be interesting. They need some humidity when they shed, but I find that it's fun to interact with my snakes, not just a display piece. I have 11 snakes and my BPs are still a lot of fun to handle. Colubrids, corns in particular, are the easiest to start with, but they also stop eating, (my 2 males) from Jan thru June looking for a mate. Hope this helps!

gonesnakee · 05-05-04, 01:01 PM

BPs unless well established on dead/thawed prey are not for beginners IMHO baby Boas are much better feeders & usually easier for the beginner to keep feeding etc. then them. Colubrids do make better starter snakes though IMHO. My 2 cents Mark

sapphire_moon · 05-05-04, 01:14 PM

some boas get very large (8-12ft) I'm not saying they are not a good begginer snake. But do research, on EVERY snake that interests you, not just the ones that your friends have.

I started with my bp, and honestly, I didn't take the proper care of him for the first 1.5-2yrs I had him, I honestly don't know how he did it. But he did, and I LUCKILY found this site.

If I would have been given a choice then between a BP and a W.hognose or any other colubrid, I would have taken the colubrid. Especially the W.Hognose first, and possibly gotten the BP's later on.

Everyone's perception of the perfect first snake is going to be different (though there might be more of groups who agree as to what the perfect first snake is).

Like I said, just research until you find what YOU like, not what a friend has/likes. Then when you find what you want, research specificly on that snake, then come back and ask questions if you have any.