This is similar to the message I posted on the Ball python forum. I need all the input I can get:



I need some advice from those of you with experience in the minefield of snake purchase options!



Years ago, I was a foster home to what was probably a Columbian Red-Tailed boa, about 3.5', supposedly female. My husband and I both really liked her and would have kept her ourselves but someone said she'd have to eat rabbits eventually and I just didn't want to go there. Now I understand she may have been just fine on rats, albeit needing two at a time instead of one, so I'm sorta kicking myself for not keeping her. She did end up going to a good home, so I feel pretty good about that, at least.



Anyway, I'm planning to get another snake (I have a corn snake that's doing really well, plus an iguana, parrots, ferrets, cats, dogs and a duck) and have set my sites on one of the smaller boids, something that will grow to 5-6' or less. The ball python is on the top of my list, but I'm wondering if I should consider a small boa. A local pet store (privately owned) has what they claim is a dwarf red-tailed boa, also known as a Nicaraguan boa. I can't find anything about any boas from Nicaragua, so I'm wondering about this. The store owner says the snake's a female, has a good disposition and shouldn't get more than 4' or so. She's priced at $200.00 which is more than what I'd like to spend but could do it with some saving. The owner also says that ball pythons get bigger than what I've read, and that they are too problematic when it comes to feeding (like getting one to eat at all is a miracle, and you have to use live or freshly killed prey). Overall her opinion of the ball doesn't seem that great, but maybe it's because she doesn't have one for sale right now? Maybe I'm too much of a skeptic and she really just doesn't think they're a good choice?



Another local pet store (one of the pet store chains, but not one of the big "super" stores)has a young ball, for which they want $100. I haven't looked this snake over yet, just noticed him/her when I was in there buying supplies, so I haven't talked to the store about their feeding experiences with this snake. The store owner with the dwarf boa said never buy anything from this other store. Their snakes have mites, they buy from puppy mills, etc. Since I figure one store isn't going to speak highly of another, I take some of this info with a grain of salt.



I understand the issues involved with potential ball feeding problems, and for that reason, if I go with a bal, I'm wanting to buy either a c/b baby or an older snake that is used to f/t mice or rats. I've also looked into getting a snake from a reptile rescue facility or an individual, but so far haven't found anyone with a ball they need to place. I haven't asked about rescuing any boas since I'm trying to go with something smaller, and am a little overwhelmed with the different species choices. Plus the conflicting information I've gotten about just how big boas get has me confused.



Temperament-wise, I haven't found much information comparing boas to the ball python. Mainly I'm looking for something that "likes" to be handled--in quotes because I realize there's a limit to how much joy reptiles experience from human contact. The size limitation has more to do with how much room I can devote to caging and the fact that I don't want to have to feed anything larger than a rat, preferrably f/t.



I'm wondering how a dwarf Nicaraguan boa (if there is such a thing) stacks up in comparison to a ball python. I'm also confused about the best way to aquire my new snake. A pet store is probably easiest, especially since I can examine the indivdual. Getting one shipped seems a bit scary, and probably wouldn't be any cheaper. I don't care about fancy morphs at this point, and can't afford most of them anyway!



So here are my questions, to sum up:

Is there such a thing as a dwarf or Nicaraguan boa?

If not, how in the world might I know what the store actually has?

Are there other smaller boas that would be good for a beg/int herper? And how might they compare to a ball python?

How would you compare pet store buying to having your snake shipped to you?



I realize I've asked a lot here, but I'm looking for input from experienced people without an agenda. I could talk to these pet stores, but they may only tell me what they think is going to make them a sale.



Thanks so much for any help you can offer.

[ Show Entire Thread ]