Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I currently own two red tails and I am thinking about getting another snake. I have narrowed my decision down to a Dumerils Boa or a Blood Python. Anybody have any insight as to which might make a better pet? Also, is there much of a difference between the needs of a Dumerils vs. a red tail as far as heat and humidity are concerned?

At one time I wanted a blood, but the more I looked into it, I decided on the Dumerils. Check the different color variants and remember the color in the neonates will lighten up as they get older.

I always wanted a blood, so I got one as a baby several years back. He only bit me once as a baby, but the intimidating loud hiss he could do a couple years later became too much. I could still handle him carefully enough to clean the cage, but WOW what a hiss. Haven't had a dumerils yet. Good luck.

Pet wise......I would say go with a Dumeril. I think they are mellower and make better pets.

Both animals are fun though. A blood is a little more demanding. If you are looking for a challenge......A blood is where it's at. They can be more tempermental. Mine would hiss at times. But, the funniest thing was how it would thrash. They are also VERY strong animals. They may look cuddly and fat. But, they are not. They are quite strong and strike quit hard. I was lucky to never have been bit. I would take a boa bite any day over a blood. But, that is just me. You also must pay attention to humidity levels more. This takes a little more work. And, you have to make sure that you have a good cage that hold humidity well. They are fun though. I use to call mine Fatty Fatty Two by Four. She was a great animal. Full of personality!! I use to lay on the couch with her and watch movies. They do not like to be out in the open. So, she would push herself under me and hide. I weigh 235lbs. And, she could make me move. One big thing I learned from another forum member is that they do not like to be held per say. They are much more comfortable sitting in your lap. When mine got big enough it got quite an attitude and would thrash when I was holding it. It wasn't until I learned to sit down with it....That it mellowed again. A fun pet to own. But, they are a challenge. Not a mellow boa type pet though.

Dumerils are great as well. You just have to find one that is a good feeder. My girl was a monster when she matured. She was really mellow. They are also a terristorial type snake. They feel much more comfortable on the ground or in your lap. I use to cuddle with mine and she would fall asleep on me. They are very unique looking as well. When I had my albino and other morphs I had a friend come over and marvel over the Dumeril compared to the albino boa. I would say a Dumeril is more of a pet type snake. Different, yet undeanding. I kept my Dumeril just like I did my boas. I raised the humidity a little for her during shedding. Where my BCI's would have mo problem she would not have a good shed. So I misted her during her shed cycle.

Check out this link. Mike's a good guy. If I were to get a Dumeril again. I would get it from him.
Hope this helps.
John

http://64.4.10.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=039dad123ab33ee83c95858bfbd0053d&lat=1063164049&hm___action=http://cards.webshots.com/cp-62547004-iilT-album/89562919wKdZkJ
Link here

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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

I HAVE OWNED AND BRED BOTH. I WOULD PIC A BLOOD ANY DAY OVER A DUMERILS. IF YOU ACTUALLY TRY AND HOLD YOUR BLOOD AND GET A CAPTIVE BRED ONE YOU CANT FIND A BETTER MORE CALMER SNAKE.I LIKE DUMERILS I JUST DONT THINK THEY CAN EVEN TOUCH THE WORST BLOOD IN LOOKS. BLOODS ARE MUCH CALMER ANIMALS AND IN MY OPINION A VERY EASY SNAKE TO DEAL WITH. THE DUMERILS IS GREAT BUT THIS SNAKE MOVES TO MUCH FOR ME AND REALLY WHEN IT COMES TO LOOKS AND A SNAKE THAT IS JUST MUCH BETTER TO DEAL WITH (IF TAME) IT HAS TO BE A BLOOD. GET YOU A BLACK BLOOD YOU CANT GO WRONG!!!!

I'd recommend the Dumerils. The Blood is, in my opinion
unquestionably a better looking snake but the Dumerils is also
very attractive and a better pet IMHO. I had a Borneo, it took
me a while to get used to his huffing and puffing, but he never
bit me. He was the only snake I've ever had that I couldn't
handle while he was in the blue just prior to a shed.
Bloods really can't hold on when you're handling them. They
also are extremely headstrong, when they want to go in a
particular direction they ARE going in that direction.

My dumerils is one of my favorite boas. He is much stronger than a redtail. When he grabs on I have to wait until he is
ready to let go, even when he was a tiny little baby he really
was strong. Some of them are very shy feeders, but they don't
have any special humidity requirements like bloods. It's
funny how different some of the opinions are for this, but my
Dumerils is so mellow and calm. He was the opposite of the
Borneo.