Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Cant decide on which to get. I currently have a 20 gallon long tank set up and plan on getting a baby ball or boa. I can upgrade to a larger cage easily for when they grow up, so space isnt a problem. How long will it take for the boa to exceed 5 feet? I will eventually breed.

Most boa constrictors (assuming that's what you meant) will out grow a 20 long quickly.

A ball could be quite happy in a 20 long for a long time.

Regards,

JPD
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"

In my own opinion, ball pythons are the most boring snake in captivity. But, they look nice and stay at a size range that makes caging easier and heating easier. I can see why people keep them. I did for awhile, and it is true that they are very inoffensive pythons. Perhaps the most irritating thing about ball pythons is that the adults can refuse food at unpredictable times and for unpredictable durations. It isn't that this is bad for the snake at all. But it is a pain for the keeper who has few snakes and now has a thawed rat with no takers.

Boas are magnificent captives. They have a body language that makes it easy to know when they are hungry or want to be left alone. They are stunning to look at and a pleasure to hold. Of course there has to be a downside. Their eventual adult size makes caging more expensive. Also, big tropical snakes need adequate ambient heat AND humidity along with basking heat. This can get much more expensive to have and maintain. Usually glass tanks with screen tops don't cut it; they need roomy cages that can hold heat and humidity.

A 20 gal long will not hold most boas for more than 1 year and likely less. Male boas tend to be less girthy than females. Hog Island boas, especially males, can be pretty small for a boa constrictor, and are easier to house for that reason.

Those are my thoughts exactly and I am really looking into the hog island boa. I plan on buying a baby and keeping him in the 20 gal. While hes in there, ill be building my own to my exact specs so I get exactly what I want for a lower price. How much do hog island boas go for?

When it comes to big snakes like Boas let me add something no one thinks about until they have to deal with it. A boa can easily hit 7-8 feet in captivity in just a few years. Also one needs to understand a 7 foot boa is bigger then a 7 foot rat snake as in eats bigger meals, is much larger around and both factors mean bigger piles of um snake poop.

For some this is no big deal, I find it to be unpleasent but not sufficient to keep me from owning one but let me be clear the little stuff from corns and what not is nothing compared to a large pile from a boa.

Ok I know this is gross but it is worth considering for one who never kept such a snake. A ball just will never get big enough to cause this to be a problem. Just thought you might want to consider this,

Lol, i never thought about bigger bricks. Its no problem to clean though, easier to find in my opinion.

i have a bp and a boa, both are wonderful snakes. if you can house an adult boa properly and afford to feed it, then i HIGHLY recommend them. i love mine! but the poop...agh!!!! lol. my boa has awaken me teary eyed from a dead sleep!!
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* Snow Cornsnake (tweak)
* Ball Python (cosmo)
* Columbian Boa (kilo)
* Gray Ratsnake

I use to bathe our 10 foot burnese pythons in our bathtub.
Sometimes they would decide to deposit their bricks in there.

THAT was gross - as it was all wet and I had to scoop it out before pulling the plug.
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3.0 WC; 0.2 CB L. getula californiae
0.1 WC; 10 eggs (7/11) Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

A boa will quickly outgrow a 20 gallon, while many adult ball pythons can be maintained in a 20 gallon for a long time. If you decide to get a bp however, I suggest starting the baby in a 10 gallon, because a lot of space can be stressful on a little snake. Good luck with whatever animal you choose!
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