Best Pet Snake? Boa or Python? What Do You Think and WHY?

Based on Personality, Trust and Social Graces, which makes a more reliable pet overall? I’m going to weigh in and explain my thoughts and WHY? Let’s hear your views and see if yiu can change my opinion.
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[@brianpartlow5530]

I got my Boa when she was 4 months old from a breeder that introduced her to human interaction. She is super sweet. She doesn't like everybody. She is nice to people She knows and flees from people she don't know. She will hiss if she's cranky but has never struck at or bit anyone. You can't judge a snake by its behavior when gravid or has new babies. Mommas will be Mommas! The biggest snake I met and held was a huge Burmese Python. Super sweet personality! She seemed to enjoy human interaction. Any snake can act weird around a nervous person. Nervous people can drop or hurt them. My Boa won't go to someone if they don't confidently offer a hand to smell.

[@bigballmagrawl0929]

Same mine climbs in his hides all day unless I'm taking him out but he just loves to wrap around my hand and chill he's only about 18in rite now but is the sweetest

[@AuroraExotics]

I've been working with CA and Mexican boas for around 15 years, plus a few ball pythons, so I don't know retics/burms/carpets etc. I do know boas are incredible pets, especially the smaller ones. I was always told CA boas are nasty angry bitey creatures, and that is so false. They are very aware, though, I agree with you there. Once you build their confidence with deliberate handling and expose them to novel experiences, they become trustworthy and relaxed companions. I prefer them over ball pythons for the way they handle, feeding, and their color variety (hello red!). Also I've heard that male reticulated pythons (and other species) tend to get a little crazy around breeding season, and I've never seen a hormonal shift like that in boas. They also pee a lot, boas are easy. Someday I'll have a burm or carpet to compare with, but my bias leans boas. :)

[@caughtafaygo]

I used your rodent pro code Kevin! Thank you and i respect the python outcome. Its always been a slightly more elite group of keepers that have boas. You have to be a little more in tune and able to read a snake when it comes to boas but having said that arnt they all just awesome?! I mean we are lucky to be able to share this space with such cool creatures and to have you guide us thru it. I appreciate you! Im setting up a perch craft kit for a baby ATB and I saw your Halloween phase females you posted and Im absolutely over the moon about them. Im hoping to have one join my boa gang soon. 🤘 Much love man

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Very kind thank you!

[@Woodlily617]

Great video - I am not a snake owner but enjoy learning about the differences, similarities and uniqueness of different species.

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pencildragon1961]

I agree with you, Kevin. I had a RTB (I guess the cool kids are calling them BCCs now) who definitely had a "I'm done now" attitude and if she was out and being handled for too long, she would bite, if your ignores her warnings. My Brazilian Rainbow Boa, I have tamed down to a point that she will not get defensive during activities that she expects. She does not like being examined by the vet. If I hold her while the veterinarian is examining her she is less likely to bite, I assume because she knows my scent. I should point out that I photograph my animals with manual focus, so they don't get freaked out by the IR beams of the autofocus.

[@Paula-sw2tt]

I love that my boa doesn't go off food, like my ball python did.

[@bigballmagrawl0929]

I've had 2 of em both was angels now my friends have had different types of boas from smaller ones to big big ones and they was never angels they hissed always stayed in the don't touch stance unless they had food or of all those only one had gotten hurt her poor tail got pinched off but that was only 1 the rest just chose violence to choose it.

[@ericlucci2829]

ball pythons definitely can be nerve wracking. i recently started getting into carpet pythons and mine is basically a garburator.

[@bigballmagrawl0929]

@@ericlucci2829 that's kinda funny how you said that

[@davidhudgens499]

Best pet snake, depends on the keeper. I had a Ball Python when I was in my teens and she was great only bite me once, my fault (ignorance). But typically behavior. Now in my 40’s I got a baby BCI (now 3 years old) and a great snake I have worked with her a lot. No bites (I’m not as ignorant as I once was) but different animal behavior compared to Balls. My Boa will only tolerate me handling her for 20-25 minutes before I can tell she is over it and wants to go back “home”. I am excited for when she gets 8’. I would say as a pet BCIs are more fun due to them being a little bit more challenging, they move A LOT more (compared to a Balls just sitting on your shoulder for hours) if you don’t keep an eye on the BCI they will slip off without you even knowing they are gone. But I still love both family of snakes. Great video, thanks for putting out more videos as of late ❤

[@Ksane]

LOVE my Boas but sometimes I get weary of having to be just a bit more aware and careful of their moves. I have 10 Ball Pythons and have zero concern of being struck at. They're slower, gentler and easier to read. I see people complaining about BPs going off food. Let them, it's not a big deal. They use NO energy hunting or looking for hiding spots or keeping warm. Sometimes they're just plain not hungry. Yes, for months. Mine go through it every winter. But eat like crazy March through October.

[@pjm204]

My first snake is an Olive just like in the video. I've had her for a year and she has been great. She's given the opportunity to come out twice a day for handling and she snuggles up on my lap every night :) She has never turned down a meal even while shedding. I just enjoy how interactive and inquisitive she usually is.

[@NewEnglandReptile]

They are quite wonderful.

[@Calamity_Jen85]

Pythons are more docile for people not used to them, for sure. I would allow kids to handle the Burm. But I couldn’t choose which I like better as a keeper and they’re equally as rewarding to work with

[@Ashley-vm1bd]

Youve never messed with a white lip python 😬

[@MoniqueAlexCCRP]

I love the longer videos I hang on your every word great info beautiful animals :) have a wonderful day!

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Glad you like them! Appreciated!

[@paranoiarpincess]

My ball loves his food so he's nearly gotten me a couple of times, and actually bit both my hubby and our son multiple times. He is pretty territorial about his enclosure and like I said, loves his food. So if he thinks he deserves food that day he will address anyone that opens his enclosure with his teeth lol. Both have been bitten by our cat and because they brush the cat bite off, the snake is even less of a worry. The kid (14) is nervous about being bitten but it's makes him reluctant to want to get Sans (blue eyed leucistic, so if course we had to name him after a skeleton with a blue hoodie) out in the first place, but when he's asked to, or he needs to feed him or give him water, he's not overly nervous. The crazy part is, he'll tag you when you're not only outside the enclosure with the door open, he once got hubby's hand that was still on the sliding door handle. Sans would have had to jettison himself outside and around the glass in less time than it takes to react to such a maneuver. I wish I had been there to see it! He doesn't really hiss so much as huff and he huff a LOT! He huffs when he's annoyed, so if we pick him up, if we don't pick him up, when he's beside our ears, if he wants to be beside our ears but tangled HIMSELF in our hair and we're not untangling him fast enough to get him closer enough to our ears... so he can huff in our ears. Lol. He huffs when he wants to go one way and we're holding him the other way, then he goes the other way and huffs. I'm still trying to figure that one out. He huffs when he's under the blanket and wants over the blanket, then huffs because he wants under the blanket. He just huffs when he's a little annoyed and unless he's sleeping, he's pretty much always annoyed lol; Usually at himself.

[@tammyfrancis7856]

I’m sure that this video is very helpful to anyone who is trying to figure out what BIG snake to get first. And at the same time, for someone like me, who wants to have snakes but can’t, I enjoyed seeing all the different morphs you have! You have some amazingly beautiful snakes! 🤩

[@Calamity_Jen85]

Btw- none of your videos are too long lol and PLEASE YES MORE MEDICAL VIDEOS!!!

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Kind

[@elorine1535]

I do ALOT of educational shows and my most reliable ones are boas but i can work 2 days in a row with my pythons but not my boas they will not work 2 days. So i do agree the boas i work with are extremely used to shows so they wouldnt be an average boa. Im working with a brand new BCC surname and he is very reactive unlike my carpet python when her food mode is broken she is amazing to handle. She is only 4 and i dont trust her around small kids but adults that are used to snakes she is amazing. Im working with her around crowds atm she is amazing at a show where just 6 people held her she was amazing. I do highly agree boas are more nervous they are my personal favorites so even my biased opinion i do agree pythons are less reactiveand less nervous

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Agreed.

[@northwestnerdingaround8403]

Boas for me hands down. Every BP I have owned has been a picky eater. My Boas are garbage disposals.

[@DiurnalOwl]

I've been trying to choose between a ball python and a bci for a while now, this video is very helpful, thanks!

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Glad it was helpful!

[@donnagreen3275]

@Kevin I think you hit the nail on the head when you stated it depends on the keeper and if they are nervous or not. I've found that I get nervous around Green tree pythons but have never been nervous handling a boa especially the hogf island boas for the most part I seem to be more comfortable around boas than pythons except of course the ball pythons. I love my boas. I would do absolutely anything to own another pair of hogg island boas again but I can NOT find a pair anymore. If I'm not mistaken the first pair I owned was from the Daytona show and it has been a long time ago now but if I ever got my hands on hogg island pure boas again that is exactly what I would want to get to raise up from babies and pissijly even breed again just to keep a pure blood line again. They are so hard to find nowadays bc they were bred into so many projects but I'd LOVE to own a pair of pure hogg island boas again. If you have any or know anyone who has them please point that out in comments. Or you can email me. I am trying to get my hands on pure ones though only.

[@NewEnglandReptile]

I have pure Hoggs. If all goes well I’ll be back breeding for next year.

[@toddb1765]

You can also check out Brian Boas. I know he has Hog Islands, but am not sure if he is breeding them right now.

[@aaronburkeen6409]

I got mine from Reptile Rapture in Wisconsin. He has the markings and I have raised from a baby till 5 years old and he is currently somewhere between 4 and 5ft. So he is most likely pure. But he has not had anymore babies since I bought mine. And I saw him post two adults a couple years ago for sale. So he may have sold his pair and does not have any. They are amazing snakes I am so happy to have the one I have. When you had your hog islands did they ever seem to time limit on handling? Mine will stay out as long as let him once he is out of the tank.

[@Yawmp97]

My Brazilian Rainbow Boa. Had her for 8 years. Really sweet and intrigued with surroundings lol. Never bit or hiss at anyone that held her

[@natashapretoruis]

I love what you do I learn alot .I'm from south africa and any video you make I love to watch. Don't worry about the negative comments you will always get keyboard trolls. You are great at what you do

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Very kind.

[@clayfaith7342]

The Aesthetics looks of Boa's is a large part of my answer.I can hope my interaction with my boa will always improve.But the mutation will never change.That is my finale answer :)

[@hi_tech_reptiles]

Interesting, i have a few boas and a couple BPs. I have one nervous boa that no matter what hasnt really come around, but another (boa sigma) that was a chainsaw as a baby hissing and freaking, now comes out the cage into my hands when i open the cage. My other one does too, but they all see me everyday and even one has a front opening in my living room. I have one BP that is perfectly friendly but rarely wants to come out on her own. My other BP was a rescue and is always nervous so doesnt particularly count. I love em all, but boas are so unique one to the next and the color variety, localities, and size variation on top of personalities for days draws me to them most for sure. Hope to have a Silverback and a BCC eventually, but $$$ is short lol. (Edit: i do think boas are more curious in my experience but much i did agree with you on. Boas imo can be more rewarding than BPs, maybe Burms tho i cant really speak to that.)

[@darthboa]

Retics are awesome pythons because of their awareness that in my opinion even surpasses the boas. Most are very friendly but overall not as good for handling as boas I would say.. However boa genus overall have the best look to them their color palette, natural variation and I'm a big fan of the tiny head scales compared to the larger of pythons

[@P0HTAT0]

I'll be the sacrificial lamb on the Carpets based on personal experience. "Boa's win" when we are talking about babies. Carpet babies are not going to hurt when they bite but much like a puppy chew's on everything to see what this new thing is a carpet is asking the same question, is that edible or will it go away if I bite it? About 50% of baby carpets seem to only have Food mode and Defense mode for a couple months. Boa babies seem more apt to have the full range Food, Defense and oh it's just time to come out and play. Either option no matter who you pick can have an outlier on both sides of the fence One being the lazy sloth who's just happy you give them any attention and food. The other side of the fence you can have a jerk who doesn't want your attention no matter what and if you don't bring food now you are the food! as I said these are outliers not the Rules. In my experience carpets have a bit more unpredictable nature with age You can have the sweetest monster you take out once or twice a week it's never given you grief once but on some random day it's the devil in carnet best left alone that day, often it's nothing you had any influence over could easily be stress. Oddly enough the Jerks can be just as unpredictable you know that out of your entire collection that one monster is just that a monster! Today you had to clean the cage and the monster was out to lunch because the snake you pulled out today had no problems being a scarf for 20 minutes??? So tomorrow you check to see if this was a new leaf being turned and you finally got through to it. NOPE the monster came back home.

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Great notes!!!!

[@LPaigeS14]

I’ve never owned a snake, and still work on overcoming a fear for them, so my opinion doesn’t really count. I did work in a small owned pet store in the early 2000’s as a challenge as they sold mostly reptiles and rodents (big fears that’d been handed down to me). We only had normal ball pythons and one red tail boa. I handled the ball pythons on some occasions but never the boa. Poor thing was there for there for the entire year and half I managed to stay and I think it was because it was simply never handled (we know pet stores don’t normally keep the most ethical practices). I was once showing a costumer a ball python and it started pooping, but with my severe lack of knowledge, I honestly thought its guts were falling out. Big scene. My worst bite working there: hampster.

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Haaa haaaa yes the hamster bite!!!! Worse than many snake bites.

[@Xandoscritters]

I worked at 2 pet stores(chains) in a period of 6 . months,both were horrible and I quit. But yes,worst bites were rat and hamster. Got tagged by 2 balls and it didn't even leave a mark. Hamster bite I had to treat like a legit wound.

[@LPaigeS14]

@@Xandoscritters I was gonna say rat was second to that. My only rat bite was from one that came from a burlap bag full of about 50 rats the police found by a trash can at a park. The manager actually took them and put them in the open front display to sell that day. Definitely had to get a tetanus shot for that one. Hamsters were still worse though!

[@donnagreen3275]

I have kept rats that the only hite I ever got was bc of messing with the babies to get them used to being handled I sold pet rats and feeders the feeders I also handled bc they seemed less likely to bite even in a rack with snakes I of course watched it they refused frozen but if they required live and I couldn't get them on frozen i always watched the bite and wrap to be sure the snake never got injured. I think hamsters are the worst at biting but I had a good plug from a momma rat that I got from the pet store which is why I never bought from pet stores again I prefer to get from breeders themselves if I check their collection. I was breeding snakes and rats and mice and mice can be pretty flighty too. Lol.

[@LPaigeS14]

@@donnagreen3275 we had a bunch of mice escape the feeder room overnight once and they were flying at us from every shelf. This was a long time ago but I still remember the horror 😂. When rodents attack 😱.

[@87PontiacGP]

I agree with everything said here, great vid. I love boas, but they do tend to be more standoffish vs pythons. I'd have to say that Dumeril's are a little of an exception to that rule, i've always known them to be very tractable animals, love them. I need one again in my collection again, miss working with them a lot. Have to be my favorite snake thus far that I have work with. As for Carpets, mine have been little rockets as hatchlings, very apt to bite when young, but calm down over time with trust built.

[@clark2491]

Who made the thumbnail? And it was genius putting you in a boxing ring. Alot of big fights happened today. Tyson Fury just lost today. First loss of his pro career. Awesome video. I like the blocky pitbull type heads of a big redtail boa

[@NewEnglandReptile]

My buddy Andy G. Thank you very much!

[@clark2491]

@@NewEnglandReptile I just wondered if he did it on purpose, keep him around cause that was slick.

[@dianelutge9691]

All of your scaly babies are so gorgeous and and you can clearly see the amount of love and care that they receive. I had never heard of an Olive python before, but those irridescent, bronze beauties are jaw droppers! 😍 Love these calm and reflective videos. They're always so enlightening and soothing to watch. Keep them coming, Kevin.

[@Richexperience1]

Corn snake hands down the best reptile pet I’ve ever had. Super smart, great size. Goes to his door when I enter the room and call his name and wants to come out to play. Unreal interaction.

[@IntrepidExotics]

I see a definite difference between my pythons and boa...my boa is such a sweet animal but there's times he will open mouth growl just wanting to be left alone where none of my pythons do anything close to that. Even when my boa growls I can handle through it without a strike if I need to, has so much to do with building trust and working with em :-)

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Yepppp

[@aaronburkeen6409]

My hog island does similar. Most of the time, he does not hiss when I am trying to take him out. But sometimes he lets me he is not feeling like interacting with me in any capacity and I respect that.

[@anthonyzullo7159]

I don’t know a ton about carpets, but I’m pretty sure their husbandry is a little more in depth. Also the height of the cage being our boreal snakes it’s going to be harder to maintain humidity and temperature so I’m still gonna go with Boa. The carpets are pretty damn cool though!

[@patrickgabriel295]

Always enjoy and learn from you this isn't long ill hour long vids but that just me lol keep em coming ill keep watching

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Gooood. Thank you.

[@KylesMonitors]

Boas have a mustache, pythons don't. I think it's pretty clear who wins here.

[@singingwolf3929]

😂

[@paly3773]

Your videos could be longer and make my day! Looking forward to the medical videos. We have three balls and they have never gone off of food for some reason; they love to eat. They are sweet and adventurous. Never having owned a Boa, I couldn’t say. I am definitely a lover and admirer of all snakes though and appreciate all the education you provide everyone❤

[@mythias]

Boas are definitely more sensitive to a nervous person in my experience (only Colombians). Nervous anxiety is my default state and I'm also apprehensive with an individual animal I haven't had hands on experience with to see how it will react to me. All that said, most times I've interacted with a strange boa someone had the snake would try to bite me and this has much less been the case with many various pythons. Actually, I can't remember ever having to worry about a python (big or small). One boa I kept for a week while a friend was away was hostile towards me but another person I knew that didn't even care for snakes but had zero anxiety, would snatch it up in some of the dumbest ways I had seen (unless you were trying to get bit) and it never struck him. He could do anything with it, some really dumb things too but never got bit for any of it. I on the other hand couldn't even stick my hand in the tank with it and after it tried to get me the first time, my anxiety was up a bit any time I needed to get my hand in there and it try to get me every time no matter how slow & careful (opposite of the other guy).

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Great points!!! Nervousness has a serious effect for sure.

[@nigelsreptarachnids5931]

The most defensive snake I have ever owned is my super dwarf retic. I have almost every locality of boa and I’ve never had an issue. No issue with most of my ball pythons or burms, just one very hissy and strikey young burm female who calms down when I pick her up.

[@mk_cichlids]

I could see boas being more accessible on average because of the sheer size difference. But there is so much difference in size and attitude from species to species within each genus that it really only depends on each keeper and what they want/can handle. I mean, antaresia pythons exist. A whole different world from retics, scrubs, and burms.

[@kerseykrewzoo]

I agree 100% with your comparisons. Pythons are, in general, slower to reach their "breaking point" when in strange or stressful situations than boas from what I've heard and seen. I had a boa for a short time that had been rescued from someone who was either clueless or uncaring and caused Tiny Tim to be distrustful of humans and not fond of being handled. Unfortunately, he passed away before I could really work with him in a freak winter storm that took out my power and left me stranded away from home for 2 days and my reptiles without heat. I lost several ball pythons and Tiny Tim the boa. Hopefully one day I'll have another chance at helping a boa in need. 💙💚🤘🏻

[@ivyrose779]

That’s horrible! I’m not a snake person but I can’t imagine losing pets like that.

[@tinadavis43]

You guys know how this works. Full of knowledge positive engagement with reptiles . His encouragement is endless. So smash that like button. Leave a comment

[@Familiarspirits]

I never owned a retic or burmese python, but all of my boas and pythons are very laid back and seem to seek out being handled. The 'hardest' species to tame down for me were my carpets. I have three, we call them the demons 😂I love them, but I really had to work hard to earn their trust.

[@keithfaulkner6319]

I recently acquired 2 Papuan pythons, and I think I'm in total love. They seem to be the sweetest snakes I've ever had. Keeper for 50 years. I've had everything.

[@NewEnglandReptile]

They are def top Notch.

[@StLMikie]

Man. IMO, as far as handling goes, hands down pythons. I’ve had a few burns over the years. I’ve always had complete faith and trust in those animals. I’ve also kept a few boas. And in all honesty, most of my collection right now is boa. I’ve never had complete trust in the boas. Every once in a while, even my most trustworthy boa, will have a go at me. It’s generally quick. But I’d not trust them around kids like I would the pythons. Just not a chance I’m willing to take. Are there going to be outliers? Sure! There will be some animal from both sides that are exceptionally sweet, or exceptionally dangerous. But I think that goes for all species. 0:15

[@bradenselkirk4930]

People always say ball pythons go off food, but mine never have for more than a month. Personally I think there is always a reason, sometimes you just have a hard time figuring it out. Mine eat pretty veraciously

[@Duranj_24]

Mine too, I’ve had my ball python for 6 years now and she never went off food till this day. I just keep her in the 5 week feeding schedule now and it’s been doing wonders !

[@bradenselkirk4930]

@@Duranj_24 yes they don't need to eat as often as people tend to feed them. Although my spider ball is always hungry. I think she's just dumb and her main setting is 'food'

[@davidpotocki1315]

I love that my BCI Boas have never refused food. But I have multiple Ball Pythons that refuse food often.

[@susanmartin3762]

Ball Pythones have the sweetest faces of all snakes!

[@hunterkarr5618]

Fact

[@kathyhutson644]

I have to say first off Kevin’s advice and knowledge is brilliant and so needed. It’s like the best of animal husbandry and overall care of snakes that makes owning one fantastic. As a first timer, got a BP and wow, do I love him. If anyone had every told me I’d love a snake I’d have said they were crazy. But he’s just wonderful. The eating is an issue and worrisome to me, but thanks to Kevin, I’m figuring it out. Ge won’t eat colored rats. Not sure why, but ok. So after the BP I’m thinking children’s python. Any advice is really appreciated.

[@Erdbeerenserver]

My Ball Python going on hunger strike for the first time made me worry. I heard about it before but when it actually happened I started to worry. But then I just watched his weight so I was sure he was plenty thick and healthy. Now on my third year with him and he went on his yearly hunger strike again.

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Not to worry for sure.

[@heartlandreptiles]

I love my D/Sd locality retics! I think the pythons are easier to read their body language. They’re all fascinating though!

[@hunterkarr5618]

I’ll watch this comparison every time, especially with Kevin

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

Bangin content. Can't wait for more

[@NewEnglandReptile]

I appreciate that !!!!!

[@nathangartee2093]

Great video! I think you brought forth alot of clarity in both boas and pythons. I wish videos like these were more available especially for new keepers to fully understand before making their decisions. Could you do colubrids vs ball pythons next?

[@crabmansteve6844]

I really like Green Tree Pythons, they're pretty bitey but thats part of the charm. Ball Pythons are little princess's, they'll refuse to eat and seem to be a little less hardy than most other pythons.

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Hmmmmmmmm. Many green tree pythons can be quite tolerant.

[@undertheradar001]

My 1 year old BCI Columbian Boa has never bitten, and is incredibly friendly. He loves to be handled and sheds well. He is super intelligent. He eats like a Boa too. Never goes on hunger strike but will not be prone to try to eat you when it gets over 6 ft.

[@dannygun34]

The only way a person can disagree with this video is if they haven't had the opportunity to work with the different species he is speaking of. His observations are spot on

[@justinmcmannis9891]

Really cool video. I got my Ball python at about 2.5/3 years old second hand from a friend who needed to downsize his pet collection. This python is a normal that was originally purchased from a big name pet store so nothing too special or crazy as morphs go. I absolutely loved the transition time from his place to mine. This snake was so cool to watch as she figured out her new surroundings and smells. She was highly defensive and standoffish with some bluff strikes and hissing for a little while but seeing the transition from 'no, get off of me and let me look around' to 'oh, I know that guy. He's cool' was amazing. I didn't know much about python personalities at the time so watching her develope into this cool inqusitive failry social animal was really cool. I had my sights set on a Dumerils Boa for a time but the lack of availability slowed me down. Maybe one day Just thought I'd share my story.

[@ThePythonPortal-Will]

Wish I could but I don’t have any Boas, I do have a retic named Kaa and sometimes it blows me away how intelligent he is I have enrichment jungle gyms for him and sooo active and can tell he really enjoys it!

[@erinevelyn4022]

this video is a great reminder of how to interpret the communication of a pet snake. i can always learn more. thanks, Kevin!

[@prometheus6688]

great video kevin , I would like to see more boa videos in the near future

[@MoniqueAlexCCRP]

Also I love all my ball pythons I may be biased though as they are the only species I have owned personally.

[@jdmahle]

I had a carpet, ball, retic and an anaconda as a pet. And Anaconda was the most intelligent one and sweetest out of them all. Only had to sell them because I moved.

[@NewEnglandReptile]

I love my anacondas!

[@user-wc4kb7le4m]

Love my short tailed boa. So long as I let her hide under a blanket when she chooses---she is pretty content. She will sit in my lap while I read....back to blanket for a bit.....back to sit on my shoulder and steal my glasses....back to the blanket for a bit....block my view of the screen if I'm watching something on the computer....back to the blanket....Ha. So long as she gets to do pretty much what she wants---we're all good. Never struck or hissed or bitten (though I'm aware that doesn't mean it won't happen).

[@heatherbrunner2165]

❤fitst lol lots of love Kevin ❤ I say ball pythons but I love hognoses too😊

[@Paula-sw2tt]

Hoggie are my favorite snakes ever and I have, in my 68 years of wisdom, kept a lot of snake spieces

[@smokeybear520]

I have a bunch of hognose and feel they all have so much personality !

[@heatherbrunner2165]

@@smokeybear520 lol they definitely have huge personalities

[@pumpkinchow]

Definitely agree with pythons being more laid back with exceptions on certain individual snakes

[@neilhawken2599]

I'd be inclined to agree with you . I,d like to see a similar video re the thrusting nature or lack of within monitor species . In Clyde some odd balls like Melinus ,Mangrove, etc. Cheers Kevin

[@ashleymarie6715]

I like my ball pythons. Ive come a long way with my love for reptiles. Mostly thanks to you and your channel! But ill stick to owning just my little ball.

[@seanmalloy7178]

Love this video! Would you be open to doing a socialization on the true redtails? My Suriname who was tame as a baby, has slowly taken to being defensive. No lagging on interactions, not sure what's going on in his brain. He has become more nervous and very reactive to movement. Thanks for the great vid!

[@seanbennett7916]

Ive had numerous boas and pythons as well as everything in between and never yet bit by a snake ive had.been bitten many times from wild snakes and almoust every lizard ive owned. But for me pythons are not worse or better than boas but python's are a bit scarier to aproach, maybe it just curiosity but im always more careful with pythons.

[@Najaking]

18:19 that’s a beautiful animal

[@Darkja]

Absolutely love cows!, and that albino one is a beauty!

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Me too

[@edhart8796]

Another great video Kevin keep up the great work

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Thanks, will do!

[@dqreps]

Boas are voracious eaters and hardy in every aspect. Great animals.

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Yes they are!

[@6strings735]

Great subject, love the interaction. Agree with your assessment.

[@Charlesbernard1933]

My youngest boa was an absolute beast. She was a monster now 2 years later she seems sweet but still dont fully trust her. My adult male is a sweet heart only hisses when he is about to poop or shed.

[@waynekieft4952]

Got rid of all my B pythons!!Rather stick with Boas! Boa morphs get better with age! Ball pythons look great as babies but the majority of them don't even resemble what they once looked like! Also the feeding problems with Ball pythons was too stressful fir me! Boas all the way, bit more difficult to breed but with it!

[@clark2491]

That olive is beautiful man. So curious

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Sisters, they are loves

[@clark2491]

@@NewEnglandReptile absolutely beautiful. I always loved the look of those olives. Your boy The real Tarzanne has some nice ones

[@johninnh4880]

Kevin the guy who runs "Venom Central" has a white Monocled Cobra sorta like your Lilith. I just thought you would like to know this. He is in SC. @New England Reptile

[@ChantalsCritters]

Great video as always

[@ingenunis5003]

Nice video Kevin🎉

[@Erica-PlaneSnakes]

Team Boa! They may take more work to earn their trust but once you do they are wonderful. However they can still be nervous around new people.

[@brianpartlow5530]

Which ever snake you pick, make sure the enclosure is correct, spend time with your snake, build trust, and you will have the best snake for you. Most mean snakes I have seen have defective owners. They have sub standard cages or they are just display animals with little to zero human interaction.

[@jayxoxox]

i got my ball python when she was about 6 months old from a closing down pet shop so she saw people all the time. shes super sweet but she has bit once bc i was feeding her w tongs and dropped the tongs. she doesnt really love people but she wont bite. never herd her hiss.

[@dragonboy4578]

I prefer my retics and burms over boas, but would take a boa over a ball python

[@Matt-Watkins]

That thumbnail is in amazing! 😂

[@Ryan_Maineaquaria]

Kevin this was great!

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Appreciated.

[@jimmystockton6404]

This is a great video thanks 🙏

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Glad you enjoyed it! Appreciated.

[@jasonbungard7484]

Every time I hear about somebody's snake that suddenly bit with no warning, it was always, literally ALWAYS a boa. I've kept both, my pythons have never failed to eat, not once. I know some say ball pythons are finicky, mine never where.

[@WarClown-mf9di]

I jus have a normal size Ball Python n he goes off feeding a lot n when its time for him to shade he sometimes does good n then the other 99.9999% of the time he won't get the shade off so I have to help him... So I would have to go with a "Boa"... Heard how they r n I've held to different size Boas... Love the colors n how they look...

[@mariaprovencher]

I've only kept ball pythons so no experience with boas. I'd like to say i do find pythons to be more attractive to me personally both in color variations and overall look. My ball is named buddy and he is the best 😀

[@mrmouse-ol9pw]

How do i get a nerd bracelet? Do you allow all snake species to maternally incubate?

[@NewEnglandReptile]

They should be on our site.

[@Half-this]

I noticed most if not all of these behaviors described in this video great job braking down these animal human interactions

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Thank you.

[@Bigslabs420]

“Larry is the best” 😂 no but fr, I keep 4 pythons and a true BCC red tail, my pythons are all captive bred and I keep everything from a burm to a blood python, but my boa is a wild caught and imported from Columbia, she’s the sweetest little thing and hasn’t ever struck at me or bit me, none of my snakes have, but she’s by far more defensive to new people and more nervous, I dunno if that’s because she was imported or if how boas are, any retic or burm or anything I’ve come across is always so curious and active, any boa I’ve ever handled is usually always so skiddish and always keeps one eye on you at all times, so I say pythons FTW.

[@JohnAvillaHerpetocultural]

I think ball pythons are best for most people. They are a very forgiving snake to learn to read and understand. For myself I can’t choose one. If I had the time and resources I would have them all.

[@lanedj801]

Id love to see alternative pythons to bcc and bci.

[@DustinLikesJiujitsu]

Dumerils boas are the perfect pet snake imo.

[@NewEnglandReptile]

They are.

[@kubuleatill741]

I only have a ball python rn so I can't really compare, but WHAT is that morph/locality of boa you showed three of - the speckled ones? Beautiful!!

[@RobCorallus]

I have Ball Pythons and Amazon Tree boa’s, my BP’s are sweet all the way but it’s the Amazons that’s my favourite of the 2 species!😂 So the Boa’s win.

[@cjrisktaker4261]

Awesome video

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Thanks for the visit

[@medzor1]

My boas come right out to me like wanting to be let out lol i have some gtps that wont let me get near em and some will at times come out when cleaning and chill

[@tacocruiser4238]

I think Kenyan sand boas are more popular than Boa Imperators. But KSB's are viewed as noob snakes so they dont count lol.

[@KHeinz_57]

Ball for sure.