Bloods vs. Balls

TrpnBils · #1 (**permalink**) 10-27-2005, 03:43 PM

Hi, a friend of mine wants a snake, and she's more than responsible enough to take care of it. I work with reptiles at the zoo here in town, and have a few myself, so she wants me to make some suggestions for a beginner boid.

I listed a few that would be okay, and she's pretty much narrowed it down to bloods, balls, or a redtail boa. I have a few questions about bloods though since I've never worked with them. Do they have the same tendency to go off eating like balls do, or is there any other major problem with them?

Both ball pythons I work with have not eaten for me in over 2 months now, but are otherwise healthy. I'm not too worried about them, but I wouldn't want to have something like that happen to her since she's new to keeping snakes.

One other thing, I've never worked with BRBs either. I saw on a few caresheets that they're really sensitive to temps above 85, is that right? She rents a house with a few other people and her room is in the attic, so it gets a little warm even with the fans and everything on in the summer.

Thanks!

toker · #2 (**permalink**) 10-27-2005, 04:00 PM

I personally have not worked with bloods either, However I wanted to make the note that a BRB is not by any means a starter snake. They are very touchy and not forgiving of mistakes.

I personally would start off with a ball. They dont get that big. One thing you didnt mention is what size area does this person have? You say she has a "room" in the attic. Can that room hold a 6ft by 3ft cage for an adult boa?

wreckwriter · #3 (**permalink**) 10-27-2005, 04:06 PM

I agree with Toker that a BRB is not a good starter snake and I'll also say that for a blood. Bloods get to be big heavy bodied and extremely strong beasts. Some, maybe even most, tend to be less than friendly. RTBs get too large and heavy for starter snakes.

I recommend a colubrid or, at most, a ball. She should study up on ball's feeding issues though as they tend to be somewhat stressful on inexperienced keepers due to often going off feed.

TrpnBils · #4 (**permalink**) 10-27-2005, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toker

I personally have not worked with bloods either, However I wanted to make the note that a BRB is not by any means a starter snake. They are very touchy and not forgiving of mistakes.
I personally would start off with a ball. They dont get that big. One thing you didnt mention is what size area does this person have? You say she has a "room" in the attic. Can that room hold a 6ft by 3ft cage for an adult boa?

I asked her about the space requirements, she's seen the setup I have for my female BCI, and she said there's enough room. She'll be moving out after she graduates in May anyway, so it's not like she'll have a 9 footer up there if she gets an '05 or '04 like she wants.

muzixman · #5 (**permalink**) 10-27-2005, 04:25 PM

imo she should wait if she graduates in may, what happens if she gets a job some were and cant find a place to live that will let her have a large snake or a town that it is illegal.

wreckwriter · #6 (**permalink**) 10-27-2005, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzixman

imo she should wait if she graduates in may, what happens if she gets a job some were and cant find a place to live that will let her have a large snake or a town that it is illegal.

Very good point.

TrpnBils · #7 (**permalink**) 10-27-2005, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzixman

imo she should wait if she graduates in may, what happens if she gets a job some were and cant find a place to live that will let her have a large snake or a town that it is illegal.

She pretty much has a job lined up in her town, where they're legal, but I've kinda been trying to push her off of redtails for that very reason.

WeissChoice · #8 (**permalink**) 10-28-2005, 03:20 AM

Do not get a Blood as a starter snake. Like everyone has said, they are very tempermental and extremely strong snakes. Stronger than any BCI that I have handled. Bloods also need very large enclosures. My adults are in 6'x2'x2' and they are only 6'. Remind her that the larger the snake, the more expensive the prey. And at $3-5 per meal, for some that can be pretty pricey. I would recommend a nice male Ball Python. They're not too small and not too large. Make sure the snake has aqequate hides, temps, and humidity and it'll be fine. Just my $0.02...Hope it helps

CreepingDeath · #9 (**permalink**) 10-28-2005, 05:04 AM

i would got with the ball for the starter snake, easlier to care for its a good starter snake

ball python chick · #10 (**permalink**) 10-28-2005, 06:56 AM

i would recommend a corn for a starter snake.they dont require all the heating or humidity a ball does.(a blood is an awefull choice for a starter snake).i get alot of balls in on rescue because people are told they are great first snakes .they wind up getting a wc snake (that has never even ate in captivity) that they get home and dont keep warm enough(because they dont realize how important it is that they stay warm)so by the time it comes to me it has ri,mouth rot,dehydrated and thin and i can only guess by the looks of it its been since its ate .if nothing else stress how important it is to buy cb.

leerankin · #11 (**permalink**) 10-30-2005, 01:41 AM

why not get a small python/boa such as a childrens or spotted python or sand/rosy boa or a colubrid such as a king or cornsnake
best suited for beginner keepers rather than the choices said

RedtailMan1 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-02-2005, 07:07 AM

I have Ball Pythons and i would say they are not a good starter snake at all...She needs a King Snake or a Corn Snake that is a good place to start...If she gets anything other than that i say get a Boa they are a lot more forgiving than a python...

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