Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Which is known to be the more docile/calm between these two snakes: the red tail boa and ball python?

I'd say that both species are in the most docile 1% of snake species. Personally, I'd give a tiny advantage to the boa constrictor, but the ball python does not get as big as the boa, so the python has the advantage in that area. Both are excellent choices if you start with a baby.

Paul Hollander

Both a Ball Python and a Columbian Redtail Boa are extremely docile and easy to handle/hold, but the question there comes down to a size question. A ball python will max out at about 5' for a female and around 4' for a male, while a columbian female on the large end could be upwards of 10' and weighing 40 lbs and a male 7-8' and weighing 30 lbs. So your question comes down to how big of a snake do you want to have, and with size of the snake comes size of the enclosure. It's alot easier to find space for a ball python (humidity can be tricky) than it is to find space for an adult red tail. Hopefully this helps you out. Personally, I've gone with both.
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1.0 Anery Columbian Redtail Boa
1.0 Striped Irian Jaya Carpet Python
0.1 Gray Banded Kingsnake
1.1 Ball Python
1.0 Sunglow Striped Corn
1.1 Leopard Gecko (Male-Albino, Female-Reduced Pattern)
Various Fish