Red-Tailed Boa-A good pet?

[cynthiab]

I live in San Diego with my family and we've been interested in reptiles for as long as I can remember. Even as girls we've always thought snakes and lizards were cuter than puppies and hamsters.
Anyways, we had one pet snake. It was a Gopher snake that my Dad caught in our garage (I know, I know...) it was a baby when we got him and he grew about 4 feet long and ate mice. He escaped a couple times and we always caught him, but then one day he escaped for good and we haven't seen him since. That's what we get for keeping a wild snake in captivity I suppose.
ANYWAYS a girl at my work is going to college and wants to get rid of her two snakes. One of them is a Ball Python and the other is a Red-Tailed Boa. I researched the python and he doesn't seem to get too big. The boa on the other hand is a whole different story. I read that they can get up to 10 feet long and eat rabbits?
Right now both of her snakes are "babies" but I haven't seen them for myself. She says she feeds them thawed out hoppers and adult mice so they can't be that big.
My question is, are these snakes good pets for a relative beginner in the herp world? I mean, we would definitely take good care of them and we love reptiles. We currently have 5 lizards and my Dad is rebuilding the backyard for a Desert Tortoise. I'm just worried about the size of these snakes and if they'll take over the entire house. Any opinions/suggestions/feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much!
Cynthia

[piscivorus]

Well, any snake will escape from a cage that isn't secure. No snake on earth will get out of a properly secured cage. That seems to be your only problem since you seem to understand the basics already since you have dealt with a pet snake before.

The only difference worth mentioning is that boas like warmer temps and higher humidity than the normal north american snake. All you need is a lamp/heat bulb or a heating pad (no heat rocks, they malfunction and burn animals) and then a water bottle that you can mist every day or two days or whatever.

There is a wealth of knowledge here that you can search through and learn from.

Good luck!!!

[richardduckworth]

a 10' rtb isn't that common at all. the thing most people like about rtb is that they don't get that large (compared to pythons and teenagers)

the escape thing is a real concern. they escaped because the cages sucked or the doors were left open/tops left off, had nothing to do with it being wild lol.

just buy a quality cage and ditch the aquarium setups

[Ursa Minor]

My RTB is the first one I've had that is a large breed. She is a total sweetheart, but you have to invest a decent amount of time in them. If it's small now then you have time to grow together. As for the escaping, all you need is a habitat designed for the species. You can find many online if you google it.

[Brandon.O]

Originally Posted by Ursa Minor

My RTB is the first one I've had that is a large breed. She is a total sweetheart, but you have to invest a decent amount of time in them. If it's small now then you have time to grow together. As for the escaping, all you need is a habitat designed for the species. You can find many online if you google it.

I agree....your knowlege and expierience will grow along with your snake, you do have to sit down and think about long term things before you jump in head first, they can be a big commitment. Boa are amazing and beautiful snakes, thier size is quite big but not un-managleble. RESEARCH is your friend, along with websites like this, follwed by MORE research. You seem like you pretty much know what your doing (or about to do) im sure that whatever you decide, you wont regret it.

[ssjsmits]

IMO, they are not the best beginner snake. They are not difficult to care for but you do need to take the time to read...and read....and read as many caresheets as you can get.
.

As far as size goes, it really depends on the ssp. If it's in fact a "true redtail boa" then it will (on average) get larger, especially if it's a female.
If you are worried about the size then I would recommend getting the ball python.
.

If you are willing to get a boa, or any other larger constrictor, you shouldn't be concerned with the size. If you are worried about them getting "too big" then they are not the snake for you. They do get big, and if that's an issue to you, I think it would be in best interest for you (and the snake) to reconsider a different species.
I'm not trying to be negative, but there are soooooo many beginners who jump into snakes, and boas being a prime example. They keep them for a year or two them pawn them off due to their size. It's really not fair for the snake.
.
Best of luck in your decision!

[Draggon]

Originally Posted by ssjsmits

IMO, they are not the best beginner snake. They are not difficult to care for but you do need to take the time to read...and read....and read as many caresheets as you can get.
.
As far as size goes, it really depends on the ssp. If it's in fact a "true redtail boa" then it will (on average) get larger, especially if it's a female.
If you are worried about the size then I would recommend getting the ball python.
.
If you are willing to get a boa, or any other larger constrictor, you shouldn't be concerned with the size. If you are worried about them getting "too big" then they are not the snake for you. They do get big, and if that's an issue to you, I think it would be in best interest for you (and the snake) to reconsider a different species.
I'm not trying to be negative, but there are soooooo many beginners who jump into snakes, and boas being a prime example. They keep them for a year or two them pawn them off due to their size. It's really not fair for the snake.
.
Best of luck in your decision!

I would have to agree with ssjsmits. There are so many larger breed snakes out there that people have abandoned because they didnt realize the time and space that these snakes need. So before you make a commitment to getting these snakes make sure you find out the most you can about them and be able to commit to careing for this snake for around 20-25 years that may become large enough to need to feed on rabbits. They are a wonderful snake to have if properly taken care of, and I wish you the best of luck

[timesender]

First Welcome to the forum!!!!

the average male boa may grow to 7' but usualy 6'. if handled properly, the boa will be as docile as the ball. the problem is the weight. boa's tend to be big babies and require attention. the does not mean care and maitance but just attention. the ball can be left alone without any major problems. on the other hand having had both, the boa is much easier to care for. but again they need to be handled more than just at dinner time.