Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok, I have $185. And i want a boa. But my mom is going to make me get rid of my ball python i have had for almost 2 years, that i love to death. But my friend that i stay the night at his house all the time, is who i would sell her to. So i would still see her. I can get a 4 foot long but 2 foor deep and 3 foot tall cage for 85 bucks. and a pair of boas for 100. what do you think i should do?

Remember, when you bought the ball python, you were making a committment to take care of it. Even though you might see it at your friend's house, anything could happen there - your friend might move, might lose interest, might decide that he/she wants something else, might have their Mom/Dad decide they can't have it, whatever.

If you care for your ball python, keep it. There will be time for boas and other snakes later.
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Bonnie Keller
VA Reptile Rescue
www.vareptilerescue.org

Keep the ball. I would be too attached after two years to let it go. My mom use to pull that saying too. that was her way to shut me up about a new pet because she knew I wouldn't give it up..lol Honestly you have $185 to better your ball python. Instead of a pair of boas just spend some money on another cage & get a female ball get a cheap ball & the rest of the money can build nice, flashy, elaborate caging. Then everyone's happy, your ball gets a girlfriend & an upgrade on his condo, & you have gotten the spending itch out & a new pet. Now don't worry once you get your own place you can be like me & dedicate rooms of your apartment to animals which you also have to hide from your landlord & give up your personal life to care for all of them..fun huh??lol
let us know your decision!

Thanks, you guys helped alot

i agree with both of the guys...keep the ball...one thing is that ball pythons are actually extremely sensitive animals...unlike the stereotype of being a beginner snake *which i highly disagree...as they are picky eaters...sometimes...go on fustrating hunger strikes...and some are snappy*...also to keep a ball for 2 years is what i call an acheivement...and definitally should be something your proud of!..im sure ur friend might be ready for a snake...maybe hes kept even more than u ahve...maybe he will be committed...but the snake WILL respond differently...ive had friends who have traded their animals...1 ball for an adult rosy...both used to be avid eaters and great docile animals...after the trade...all hell broke loose....especially with the ball....and it doesn't seem logical to me why u would sell it in the first place...i personally like boas more than pythons...but regardless...u are gonna get 2 boas...for 100...im guessing they aren't adults...so ur gonna have start allllll over....and everytime u start with babies...something can definitely go wrong...and im guessing ur mom wants u to get rid of the ball...so the boas won't add to the consumption of space...now that would be ironic because the majority of boas e.g. red tails (boa constrictor constrictor)...will get BIG...sometimes twice the length and girth of ur ball...u may have 185 now...but trust me...those things are eating machines...sure it will start from fuzzies...to mice...to rats...to rabbits...and sometimes if given the oppurtunity...ur gonna start buying chickens and maybe even baby goats *i have seen this...no joke*...i know this is a long post...but i agree with the previous post...buy another female ball...its always good to specialize in one species than to have many kinds and only know a "decent" amount about them...and boy...is it just me or are ball morphs getting extremely popular...and they come pricey...if u r able to get an albino for a good price...and if that femal albino is a big mama...gives lots of eggs...gets lots of baby albino balls...ur gonna get some healthy profit...but thats beside the point...invest ur 185 in what u already have...im sure the day will come when u can get ur boas....and if ur parents are concerned about the size of ur ball...it would be pushing it getting to boas...of course u may be getting sand boas or rosies...but it doesn't sound like it...don't push ur parents...some of my friends pushed their parents to the max until they decided to get rid of ALL OF THEM...be content with what u have...and work from there...keeping a ball may seem very plain...very "non-exotic"...but hey...a pets a pet...like the first reply said...it is definitely a commitment...dont get ahaed of yourself...hope this ridiculously long post wasn't a waste of my time and that u'll actually keep ur ball...

keep your ball!!!- Eric Chen

thanks. I am going to keep my ball. I know what you mean about going crazy when enviorment is changed. my Girl went off feeding for 7 months when i first go her. she didnt leave her hide box for like 5 months. and she was wild as all hell. now she is supper tame, never misses a meal, and is very friendly. I love her, and dont want to get rid of her.But my mom said thats the only way I can get a boa. But I am just going to stick with my ball. Actualy the size is what got me intersted. balls get 4 foot, and i wanted something bigger. I wanted a male red tail boa, that would get like 7 foot. but i will have to wait. Your post wasnt a wast of time, and i thank you for takeing the time to type it. I know I will eventuall talk my mom into leting me get one. After all my mom told me I would never own reptiles. But hear i am with 2 iguanas and a ball python.And the only reason i was concitering geting rid of her was beacuse it was going to be to my friend that i go over to his house all the time.But like someone pointed out. alot can happen, he could move, or lose intrest.

Thanks for the post.