Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am wanting to expand my collection a bit and I currently have 4 small set-ups ready to go (about 10 gallons each). I am more of an exotics kind of guy so I like boas and pythons more, but I didn't know what I could get that stayed small enough to where it wouldn't outgrow a 20 gallon, at least for a while. I know I could go with a ball python or sand boa, but i already have multiple of each. Also, I'd prefer something I could handle. Someone suggested viper boas but I have no info on them. Figured I'd ask the experts for some suggestions. I'd love to get about 4-5 different options to pick from. Thanks!

How about one of the small Australian pythons. Either a childrens or spotted python are excellent choices.

I actually have a spotted and LOVE her. I looked up viper boas and like those, but I need to find more info. Does anybody know anything about Banana Boas (Ungaliophis panamensis) and if they are ever available? Also, somebody mentioned a dwarf boa like a Tarahumara boa...

I don't know what kind of sandboa you have, but there are 10 species of sandboa, most of which are very uncommon in the pet trade. Males of most species stay small and could easily inhabit a 10 gallon aquarium sized cage.

The Arabian Sandboa (Eryx jayakari) is a cool species that is now available most of the time -

Rubber Boas are interesting captives as well and do well in a small cage.

Most of the "dwarf" boa constrictor morphs still get 4-5 feet and are heavy bodied. They will outgrow a 10 gallon pretty quickly.

Banana Boas (Ungaliophis) are problematic feeders unless you like feeding anoles/geckos to your snakes. They are also not available very often.

I have limited experience with Viper Boas, but the ones I have been around have been snappy and tough to feed. They seem to prefer frogs to rodents. Check the Candoia page here on KS for more info about them.

Why not an interesting colubrid? Snakes like the Twin-spotted Ratsnake are very hardy and do fine in smaller cages. Not very many people keep them for some reason.

Western Hognosed Snakes are a lot of fun to keep and also would be fine in a 10 gallon. A big female might outgrow it, but a male wouldn't.

Chris
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

What characteristics make the Arabian sandboas a good choice? I'm not challenging your suggestion, just inquiring about an animal I know nothing about.
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Mark

Vipers that I have experience with are not either small enough for a 10 gallon or very handleable. They tend to be 'nippy' at the most optimistic and darn right nasty otherwise.

Staying small....some of the milksnakes (obviously not boa/python but very nice alternative) can be handleable and exotic colorations.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny