Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I have a normal ball python. I have always been interested in redtail boas. Can anyone give me any information on housing for a baby redtail and are they similar to the ball pyhton. Are their housings and feedings similar? I know that their sizes are different. Is there anything else I need to know as far as their care, feeding habits and maintence, size of tanks, from baby to adult, and how different are they? I appreciate the help that anyone can give me.

Here are two good links; the first one is very comprehensive. Just about everything you'll need to know is covered.

http://www.redtailboas.com/general_care/general_care.html

http://www.coloherp.org/cb-news/archive/careshts/boacare.php

Regards,

Bill

If I were you I would go out and buy the Boa Constrictor manual. It is in almost every pet shop. I really think it is a great book. And, it covers basic husbandry in it. As a bonus....It has a lot of neat pictures in it. I would have bought it for the pictures alone.

Care for a boa is pretty similar when compared with a ball python. (In my experience balls need a little more humidity.) Max size will depend on species and sex of the boa you get.

I would personally stay away from aquarium type enclosures. I find them to be nothing but a problem for the keeper and the animal. I would buy a nice 4ft neodesha/boaphile/vision cage. They are a little pricey in the beginning. But, I really feel they are worth it for so many reasons.

Feeding will also be different slightly. I would get a boa off mice as soon as possible. I just prefer to keep them on rats as soon as I can.

Personality is pretty similar I have found as well. (Of course depending on the animals personality) Boas are great pets. Most are really mellow and fun to interact with.

Make sure to buy one from a good breeder. Pet store boas are ok. But, a few a problematic. Common boas tend to run from 75-150 dollars. I have seen some at pet stores for 199.00. That is a total rip off in my opinion.

Here are some links. Be sure to read a lot while you are here. There are a lot of knowledgeable people out there. Here are some links to help you.

http://www.boa-constrictors.com/com/com.html
http://www.pythons.net/handling.html
http://www.newenglandreptile.com/CareBoa.html
http://www.vpi.com/8VPICareSheets/Boas/BoaConstrictor/BoaConstrictorDesc.htm
http://www.bobclark.com/bcforums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=6&CAT_ID=3&Forum_Title=Boa Constrictor Forum
http://www.theboaforum.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl
John
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

that balls need higher humidity than boas. most balls are from the savannah grasslands whereas the majority of boas are from tropical and subtropical areas of extremely high humidity including rainforests. I'd say that boas are the ones that would benefit from higher humidity. However, I'd say keeping either at 70% humidity would be just fine. Just a minor point/observation... nothing really that important
have a good one, jb
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Jonathan Brady
"Sarcasm is angers ugly cousin" -Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson) in "Anger Management".