Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am thinking of either getting a rainbow boa or a blood python. I am wanting to get a pair for breeding and pets. So far I like the idea of a rainbow boa because they give live birth and like the cooler temps. The things I don't like about the rainbow boas is they seem to be more sensitive to temp and humidity than the blood pythons. I do not like the idea of messing with the eggs of blood pythons.

Here is what I need to know about each species:

What is the average adult size of each kind? Any difference between the sexes?

What size cage is needed?

What are the specifics of the care for each snake? (temp, humidity, substrate, etc.?

Is one kind of snake a better feeder than the other?

At what age/size do they usually breed?

Over all, which do you prefer and why?

Which snake has a better temperament?

Thanks for answering all my questions, Jake.
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Both snakes are extremely sensitive to humidity- in fact, I pretty much keep them the same in that regard. The blood just needs a higher temp... 90-95. Rainbows, not above 85. I highly recommend plastic caging for these species. Aquariums usually just can't hold in the moisture.
Most adult rainbows are really tame. My rainbow is like this, actually she's one of my tamest snakes. My juvie blood python is tame, but a bit jumpy. Still very handleable though. Just a bit more shy and reserved. Although they have the same approximate adult LENGTH, the blood will be like... 10 times bigger. They're PUDGY! Some people here have 40 pound bloods. And rainbows are slender. So keep that feeding bill in mind! Borneo bloods I think are the smallest type, with blacks and reds being bigger.
They're both pretty even eaters IF you buy captive bred ones. I'm sure either species can go on feeding strikes sometimes.
They're both pretty laid back snakes, so they don't need a whole bunch of cage space. I'd imagine an adult rainbow would be ok in a 40-50 gallon equivalent. The blood... I'm still working that out. You'd probably need a 4 foot long cage.
Other than that they're both very huggable, and it's sort of a matter of taste. The rainbow can wrap around your arm, the blood can sit in your lap.
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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

My first two snakes were a BRB and a Blood...since I've sold all my BRB's and am focusing on bloods so I may be a little bias. Bloods can range from about 4 to 8 feet with smallest being a male Black and largest being a female Red and Borneo's in between. They get very thick, and BRB and Bloods both require about the same anal retentiveness to housing. I find both to be good eaters, but the bloods tend to eat more/larger items because of their girth. They both need about the same cubic spaced housing, just a taller enclosure is needed for BRb while a shorter longer enclosure for a blood. There both great animals, its just which you prefer...do you want a active handling more slender snake or a "lazier" fatter snake. I had a few problems with handling my BRB's when they were small because there so active you have to keep a real good eye on them or they will dissapear! Tried to give you some comparitive info instead of specifics since it looked like thats what you wanted, if you need more info email me.

-J
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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior

I must have a lazy BRB. She's very leisurely when handled. I guess you can't judge an entire species by one individual!

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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

Hey,
Either I missed something or there is something really wrong here. I am looking at a Kenyan sand boa, but the topic is Rainbow boa! Ok!! Fill me in.
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Sometimes on your way to your dream, you get lost and find a better way!

... ... ... huh? This is some other guy's thread....

(I'm looking at a Kenyan sand boa too, but since I have something like 25 of them it's kind of hard to avoid around here)

(I mean guy as in poster, not guy as in guy)
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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

lol, I think Angel was trying to say that you posted a pic of a Kenyan Sand Boa... Heres a pic of one of my females I used to own..I'm trying to get her back but I dunno... :fingers crossed: Hope the pic works..

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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior

I didn't mean to post a pic at all. The mouse must have slipped.
Well, while I'm at it, here's an off-topic puppy.

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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

NP
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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior

Hey,
Wow!! that is a neat picture. They look as if they are holding a conversation whilst the Sand Boa, takes its bath -- LOL!! Very cool.

- Angel
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Sometimes on your way to your dream, you get lost and find a better way!

I was in your shoes and asked the same questions a few months ago. I came across a Borneo I liked at a great price first and that is what I got and haven't looked back. My Borneo is a real "lap snake," so if you want a slow,lazy snake that just lays there, go with the blood. I don't know what I'll do when she's 30 lbs, of course my new years resolution was to drink more beer and watch more tv so maybe I'll still have lap space for her then. Anyway some day I'll break down and get the BRB as well. They are also great snakes and I think they are the most beautiful snakes there are (sorry guys). Even non-herpers and card carrying snake haters oooh and aaah over BRBs. If you have a real bug to get a blood and/or a BRB get as much info on both and then live on ramen noodles for awhile and eventually get both, that's the best advice I can give.

Like I said I got one of each to start with and then ended up selling one to get more of the other. It's not such a bad idea if you really can't make up your mind. But if you just want one pair..well its up to you!
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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior

Thanks for the advice, but I am a college student and already eat ramen every day I spend three times as much on food for the reptiles than I do on my self! Also, I am not even sure I have enough room for one snake let alone two! So far I like the bloods the best, so I might go with them. I am still undecided. I might just wait for the next show to come around and just see what I can get. Thanks again, Jake.
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0.3 Normal Leopard geckos
1.0 High Yellow Leo
1.2 Albino Leos
3.1 Frilled Dragons
1.0 Juvi. Gold Bearded Dragon
0.4 Adult Bearded Dragons
0.0.4 D. Leucomelas
1.0 Adult Albino Corn
0.1.1 Normal Corns
1.1 Creamcicle Corns
0.0.1 Crimson Corn