Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking for a larger species of snake (either boa or python) in the 8-10 foot range. I'm not new to snakes but this will be the first large snake that I will keep alone.

I'm going to an expo in a week to pick something out. Any recommendations?

My problem is that when I go, there are jst SO many species and I never trust what a breeder says about a species. You never know who is just trying to push a snake on you. I had a guy trying to sell me a baby African rock python, saying it would max out at around 12 feet. HA.

Anyway. Suggestions welcome!

Heather

Suriname, Guyanan, Argentine, Peruvian, and Madagascar Ground Boas are what I'd look at if you're wanting a larger snake that won't grow to be unmanageable.
Good luck

You realize you are asking this on the BOA forum. LOL

I would recommend a common boa, aka a BCI. They come in all colors and patterns for just about anyones taste, and are a little easier to keep than a "true redtail" like a Suriname.

Just do your best to find a repuatable breeder. And don't be afraid to ask questions! If you get the feeling they are "selling" you something, walk away and find someone else. Tables with too many different types of reptiles are usually resellers and you really should know what you are looking at when purchasing from a reseller rather than a breeder that specializes in one or two species. Also get a business card from the person you buy from, so you can contact them after the sale if you need to!

Just do your homework BEFORE you buy, like you seem to be.

Good luck.

Kathy

You can find lots of sights with good information under the businesses section at the top of the page.

Any other parameters besides size? Egg laying vs. live bearing? Color/pattern? Price? Off the top of my head, aside from Boa constrictors, there are certain Epicrates species (ie, Jamaican boa), yellow anaconda, morelia/carpet pythons, olive python, maybe dwarf retics/burms, etc.

Good luck,
Ed

>>I'm looking for a larger species of snake (either boa or python) in the 8-10 foot range. I'm not new to snakes but this will be the first large snake that I will keep alone.
>>
>>I'm going to an expo in a week to pick something out. Any recommendations?
>>
>>My problem is that when I go, there are jst SO many species and I never trust what a breeder says about a species. You never know who is just trying to push a snake on you. I had a guy trying to sell me a baby African rock python, saying it would max out at around 12 feet. HA.
>>
>>Anyway. Suggestions welcome!
>>
>>Heather

Hm...okay now I have more questions.

Dwarf retics and burms? I have never even heard of these. How big do they get? Are they crazy expensive? Readily available?

And same questions as above for yellow anacondas (although I know how big they get). I don't remember seeing any at the last expo I went to. Are they fairly common?

I liked the Jamaican boas!

As far as color morphs...I have absolutely no interest. Nor do I care about live birth/egg laying because I won't be breeding.

As far as price, I'm looking for something moderate in price but if there is a species that I find I really like, I'd be willing to spend extra. I also don't mind if a species has very specific/difficult care requirements (most of my other herps are difficult species), but an easier species is always good too.

So I'm very flexible.

I don't go to shows much, but I did see a Kayuadi retic at a local show last year. I think the price was around $400. From what I read (I have no personal experience with any of these snakes), they normally grow to 10-12 feet. I think the dwarf burms are more rare and pricier, but don't grow as big. I see yellow anaconda in the ads pretty frequently, I would guess they are the cheapest out of the three.

If you are limiting your choices to what can be found commonly at a show, your best bets would probably be a BCC or a carpet python. Womas are good looking snakes as well, I saw a fair amount of them at the last show I went to.

Good luck,
Ed

>>Hm...okay now I have more questions.
>>
>>Dwarf retics and burms? I have never even heard of these. How big do they get? Are they crazy expensive? Readily available?
>>
>>And same questions as above for yellow anacondas (although I know how big they get). I don't remember seeing any at the last expo I went to. Are they fairly common?
>>
>>I liked the Jamaican boas!
>>
>>As far as color morphs...I have absolutely no interest. Nor do I care about live birth/egg laying because I won't be breeding.
>>
>>As far as price, I'm looking for something moderate in price but if there is a species that I find I really like, I'd be willing to spend extra. I also don't mind if a species has very specific/difficult care requirements (most of my other herps are difficult species), but an easier species is always good too.
>>
>>So I'm very flexible.

Where do you guys get your snakes? I guess I'm limiting my choices to what can be found at a show because that's the only place I really know of with a wide variety of healthy animals.

Most of my animals were rescued/adopted or given to me by people who didn't want them...so I'm kinda new to shopping around for a reptile. I was like a kid in a candy store the first time I went to this expo! ha.

I bought my two snakes from reputable breeders that shipped them to me. Both very good experiences.

Thanks,
Ed

>>Where do you guys get your snakes? I guess I'm limiting my choices to what can be found at a show because that's the only place I really know of with a wide variety of healthy animals.
>>
>>Most of my animals were rescued/adopted or given to me by people who didn't want them...so I'm kinda new to shopping around for a reptile. I was like a kid in a candy store the first time I went to this expo! ha.

>> I'm not new to snakes but this will be the first large snake that I will keep alone.

Hi Heather,

Without knowing your situation, age or what other snakes/reptiles you have experience with I have to offer a word of caution since you said 'alone'.

I do not recommend handling a snake over 8' without someone else in the home (safety net). SFEs and other accidents happen and when dealing with a large constrictor, it's usually safest to have someone to call to for help (happened to me twice in 10 years - both SFE). When I lived alone, I always asked a friend to come over that knew I would be dealing with my large boas, just in case. I know the chances of something really bad happening are minute but better safe than sorry IMO.

So with that said I would recommend one of the dwarf BCi (hog isle, crawl cay, etc), they have the boa behaviours and looks and tend to max out under 6'. Another good choice may be a rainbow boa, they are stunning beauties. Or for something more exotic, an Amazon Tree Boa, Green Tree Pythin or Emerald may be more up you alley. The options are basically limitless.

Good luck with whatever you decide to get!
-April

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'There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."' -Rainshadow

Sorry! That was vague. When I say 'alone' I mean that I will be the primary caretaker. I live with my boyfriend and will always have someone there to help me handle the snake.

I've dealt with very large snakes before but I was never the sole or primary caretaker. So that is what I mean when I say 'alone.'

I know the risks that come along with a larger snake and I am prepared to deal with them. But I understand the question!

Heather

have you thought about black headed pythons or scrubys?
although i am not sure of the legality of scrubys because they are native to northern austrailia you should check them out there quite beautifull steve irwin ecounterd one on one of his episodes i believe they reach lengths of up to 12 feet