Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok for quite some time now i've wanted a snake, but my mom has always said no. But the other day she said if I can get all A's in my classes I can get one snake. So i've researched a little and I know I want a boa, but what kind should I get? I need one that can be housed in a 10 gallon temp. or while its a baby. And I don't want to spend a whole lot of money on one so how much do you usually pay at a show? I saw some today for $65 and up and ball pythons for about $15. Thanks in advance
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1.4 Leopard Geckos ( King Henry, Elizabeth, Allie,Lily and and my sisters unamed gecko.
1 Cat ( cat)
1 Hamster (sunflower)
0.1 Pictus Gecko
1 Fish

You gotta narrow down what you want. Boas and pythons range in size from 8 inches to 30 feet. You've gotta decide what your maximum ADULT cage size is, because the snake is going to get to adult size before you know it.
Getting a cheap snake is OK, but if it's your first you want a CAPTIVE BRED healthy one. A 15$ ball python is probably neither of those things.

Species I would think about-
Ball python
Columbian red tail (these get pretty big)
Any sand or rosy boa
corn, king, and rat snakes (not boas, but pretty cool)
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch

Well I still have research to do. But the gret thing about the deal is that my dad has offered to build me a cage to hold the snake. So I wanted something around 12 -15 feet.I've looked at the red tail boas and those look pretty nice. Thanks for the quick reply.
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1.4 Leopard Geckos ( King Henry, Elizabeth, Allie,Lily and and my sisters unamed gecko.
1 Cat ( cat)
1 Hamster (sunflower)
0.1 Pictus Gecko
1 Fish

That's a LOT of snake. The only red tails that get anywhere near that big are the surinams and guyanans, which are beautiful snakes but a bit over your price range. Columbians are cheaper but are lucky to get 10 from what I hear. It's nice that your dad's helping. Keep in mind this snake's food bill is going to be pretty high, and that it might get too big for you to handle on your own. The only other boa species in that size range are yellow andacondas, although there are several pythons that stay around that length.
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch

something else I thought about...My little sister just told me she likes snakes so we can't get anything thats going to be nippy all the time, but I know everything bites from time to time. How big do yellow anacondas get?
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1.4 Leopard Geckos ( King Henry, Elizabeth, Allie,Lily and and my sisters unamed gecko.
1 Cat ( cat)
1 Hamster (sunflower)
0.1 Pictus Gecko
1 Fish

How big do yellow anacondas get?
`

` Just scroll down a little to the thread that starts, " What kind of snake to get." Lots of pix, along with correct, and incorrect information on Yellow Anacondas.
` They are actually Yellow Water Boas. "Anaconda", is a name which causes most people to put one wheel in the sand, and floor it. It is unfortunate that they ever got that name.

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I was wondering if you had a link to a site that you consider to give correct info on yellows? Am interested in owning one, but I would like to do the research by a reputable source first. Thanx in advance for any help, dave
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2.1 bay of la rosy boas
1.0.8 kenyan sand boas
3.3 ball pythons
1.0 central american boa
4.9 leopard geckos
3.3 assorted cali king
1.0 greyband king

` OUCH! Oh well, I have my moments. LOL.
` I started out on New England Reptile Distributors' information and care sheet. They know what they're talking about, for sure. Got my baby Yellows from them, too.

Follow this link to them: www.newenglandreptile.com/CareYConda.html
`

` Or, maybe you want a well trained Python?

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as a jab. It certainly wasn't meant as one. It seemed that you have a good working knowledge of "yellows", and I was hoping you could direct me to a link with legitimate info. I know there are probably 10 times as many pages with misinformation, than good info. So I thought "ask someone who knows what they're talking about". My post was a compliment if anything, sorry if I didnt make myself clear. Thanx, dave
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2.1 bay of la rosy boas
1.0.8 kenyan sand boas
3.3 ball pythons
1.0 central american boa
4.9 leopard geckos
3.3 assorted cali king
1.0 greyband king

` Hell no, I was just kidding. My sense of humor may be overactive, but it tickles me. Sorry to put you on the spot.

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The yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) is in the same genus as the common or green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) so why would it not be considered an anaconda?

` Sorry, I wasn't referring to the taxonomy of the animals. I'm sure the folks who worry about that sort of thing have it figured out OK. Yellows and Greens will interbreed, and produce, although I don't know if their offspring are mules, or not.
` What I was talking about it the name " Anaconda " itself.
` This introduction, from the Nashville Zoo's www.nashvillezoo.org/anaconda.htm Anaconda page, explains it:
`
Eunectes murinus
The Green Anaconda, also known as the water boa. There is also the yellow Anaconda, Eunectes notaeus.

The name "Anaconda" comes from the Indian language, Sinhalese, which originally probably referred to the Reticulated python. No one is sure how this name came to represent a South American snake, unless these two snakes, Anaconda and Python, were mistaken as the same species. Both snakes are swimmers and 2 of the largest snakes in the world.

The Tamil word for Anaconda is "Anaikolra" which means "elephant killer". The early Spanish settlers referred to this snake as "Matatoro" or "bull killer".
`
` So, calling a snake a name that came from ignorance, and a name which perpetuates ignorance, is just another way to perpetuate dogma. Anacondas of all species are capable of adjusting to captivity and becoming tame. There are individuals which will tame completely, and individuals that won't. Just like any other snake. I've handled large Ball Pythons that were determined to kill me. But, at 10 pounds, or so, it wasn't likely. Any constrictor of large size/weight and bad disposition can be dangerous.
` There isn't much chance of un-demonizing Anacondas, anytime soon. It's too bad, too. Yellow Anacondas get to a size that is impressive, yet still manageable. The right individuals can get as tame and gentle as any other Boid.
`
` So, in the sense that they certainly couldn't kill an elephant, none of them are "Anacondas".
`

` Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

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