thinking about buying a red tail boa

[wildpeanut]

My son is wanting a snake for a pet. I went to a pet store and the sales person said that a red tail was a good pet because it was docile more than a ball python. She also said that it would only grow to 3-5 feet. All the websites I have visited said it would be around 7-10ft. long. Would anyone recommend a red tail or some other snake for a pet?

[Weepngprpht]

well if you look at some of the caresheets around here you can tell more acurate facts about red tails but no the redtails that most sell in petstores which are BCI columbians do not only grow to 5 feet. also you should know that the snake will live if kept properly up to 20 years. How old is your son if i may ask?
and according to my knowledge most people say that a bal python is a good starter snake but please please please and i cant stress this enough make sure not only you but he as well reads reads reads about taking proper care of a snake, well any pet for that matter hope this helps...fel freee to ask anymore

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

[Leatherface]

Welcome to the site peanut!!!

prophet hit it dead on the head about caresheets!! read them and reread them!!

You have picked a great place to ask your questions!! There are alot of great people here!!

anywho
Yuppers a BCI redtail female get around 7-10ft

males a little bit smaller

Are they more docile than Balls?? I wouldnt say one is more "bitey" than the other..BUT for a first snake I would go with a Ball Python from a reputable dealer instead of a pet store

There is ALOT less risk of parasites and a sick snake if ya get it from a reputable breeder

OR my fav

How about a nice cornsnake or Kingsnake?? Both are very forgiving of husbandry errors and come in alot of different morphs

Again welcome to the forums!

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

	Morph A morph is a color or pattern variation that is proven to be genetic. Common morphs include albino, anerythristic, gentically striped, Hypomelanistic, and many others. Morphs also include combinations of simple traits such as "Sunglow" which is Albino and Hypomelanistic. These traits may be recessive traits, co-dominant traits, dominant traits, or created through selective breeding (ie Pastel).

[Weepngprpht]

Originally Posted by Leatherface

How about a nice cornsnake or Kingsnake??

Oh yes very true how could i forget my very first snakes were corns

[wildpeanut]

he is 10 years old. I have been checking different care sheets. DO you have a preference in care sheets.

[Weepngprpht]

http://redtailboa.net/forums/snake/2...tail-boas.html

[Weepngprpht]

http://redtailboa.net/forums/snake/2...ubspecies.html

[Weepngprpht]

http://redtailboa.net/forums/snake/2...orn-snake.html

http://redtailboa.net/forums/snake/2...ll-python.html

[Aaron_NSBM]

with a boy that age I would look into corn snakes. ball pythons can go through "hunger strikes" which can stress the owner alot! trust me I know about that! I think a corn would be a wonderful first snake for hime....just my 2 cents!

	Corn Snake The Corn Snake or Red Rat Snake (Elaphe guttata) is a species of Rat Snake.

[tbowman]

Petstores can be retarded , a 3-5 ft. adult boa, ha. A cornsnake would probably be best, My first snake was a ball python and I got it about 4-6 yrs ago. mine didnt go on "hunger strikes" until last year.

[SoulSmilen]

Not much to add with the feedback you've already received, but I would like to reiterate one thing. IF you decide on the ball python, find a breeder instead of buying one from a petstore. A well-started captive bred ball will almost always be less of a problem feeder.

Welcome to the site and glad to have you join - definitely some good folks here!

[red dragon]

id say corn or kingsnake., but like everyone else said go with a breeder rather than a petstore and welcome to the site