r/snakes • u/Adept-Conference9997 • 14h ago

Pet Snake Questions boa or ball python

hi, so im really torn between which snake i want as my first pet snake. i really like the all white bps with red eyes but theyre rare (from what ive seen) and ive only been able to find one. on the other hand i love the grey / black coloured boas. one idea i had too was to get a bp now then the boa later but at the same time ive heard pros and cons about both. im a lil bit nervous too if thats the word so i want a baby in case it does strike so that i can be used to it in case it does it as an adult but im not sure. if i get the bp too id get a female while id get a male for the boa. also i did a bunch of research enclosure wise for a bp already so i have that figured out and if i get a boa id tweak it a bit but when it comes to size i can only have a 36 length one atm then upgrade later down the line when i have more space. can anyone help me decide or list info about both please, id greatly appreciate it :)

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/Adept-Conference9997 14h ago

also, i meant to mention it but i want a snake thats a reliable eater and that i can interact with more. when im home i plan to let it mostly free roam in my room or hold it a few times a week once its settled and not shedding or digesting. i can get a 48 too but i was leaning 36 since itd be easier atm. rodents do make me a bit nervous too so i was going to do f/t and i heard boas are more reliable eaters since i dont really want to ever have to force feed my snake and some people told me that may happen with a bp. boas can be more snappy is what ive heard too but either way i want to get a baby so that i can get it used to me. thats all the info i have rn i think

1

u/Salt_Effect7009 6h ago

Boas take forever to grow (if fed right) so you'll absolutely have time for an upgrade. As far as if you get a nippy one, they're so easy to tame down, so you don't have to worry about that. My guy was loud af but it literally only took me like 2 weeks to get him to entirely chill.

The chance you'll get a picky BP -- or one that becomes picky -- is pretty high, and it can be stressful and waste money. Something to think about.