I would definitely not get a rainbow boa for a 7 year old. They are beautiful snakes, but i have to agree that they are harder to care for, and most are biters when young. I have a 1 1/2 year old Brazilian rainbow boa that i have owned about 8 months, and she is just now getting to the point where ahe doesn't strike at me when i pick her up. But she is still the nippiest snake i have ever owned - the only one that will be sitting calm in my hand one second, then swing her head around and bite me for no apparent reason the next. She is the only snake in my house i don't let me kids (4 and 6) handle on their own. As for ball pythons, i have calm ones that i am perfectly comfortable letting my kids run around with, and i have a couple that i have to have a battle plan ready for just to get them out of their bins. It just depends on the snake. If you get a ball python, an older pre-owned snake might be best for a child - one that is used to getting handled.

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