Exotic Pets- A choice to own

Of the variety of exotic pets to choose from, have you ever considered a making a snake your choice? The two most popular snakes to buy are red-tail boa constrictors and ball pythons. These snakes are similar, but there are underlying differences that make the choice to buy one or another very important.

Ball pythons and red-tail boa constrictors have many things in common with each other besides the obvious point that they are both snakes, both suffocate their prey, and both are reptilians. These snakes are both known for being very docile creatures. When handled on a regular basis, these two species of snakes are not known to be aggressive. When you think about it, no one would want to stay in a cage all day every day. A regular basis does not have to mean daily. A regular basis is just about constancy. If you are going to let your snake out of its cage twice a week, you need to make sure you stick to this regimen. Another way that ball pythons and red-tail boas are alike is their habitats. These snakes are good about regulating their own body temperature, but they need a little assistance from their owner/caretaker. The tank that you place them in, as their home, needs to have a cool side and a heated side. This can easily be done with the purchase of temperature measuring strips and a heated lamp. Placing the heat lamp and one strip on one side and just the second strip on the other side of the cage, the snake has the ability to slither to either side to regulate its own body temperature. The temperature strips help you to see that the sides are regulated. The last major similarity and probably one of the more important ones is their lifespan. These two particular breeds of snakes live between twenty and thirty years. This information is very important because these snakes start out young and small and cute. They do not stay small and they have lifespans similar to the lifespans of dogs and cats. Your pet snake will be with you for quite some time, therefore this is a decision not to take lightly.

Ball pythons have a few things in common with their tropical counterparts, but some things make them quite different. One of these differences is their natural habitat. Their natural habitat is essentially what kind of climate these snakes are built for. Ball pythons are a bit more versatile than red-tail boa constrictors. Ball pythons can maintain health and comfort in a jungle environment as well as dry savannahs. Most of these snakes originate from Africa. The reason they can withstand such dry temperatures is because they commandeer burrows that other animals make and eventually leave behind. These underground hides are very cool which provides shade from the sun and the temperatures that reach in excess of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. The sheer size of these two snakes is quite a difference in itself. Ball Pythons are smaller by nature. Ball pythons grow between three to six feet long as opposed to their larger red-tail boa constrictor counterparts who average between ten and twelve feet in length. This makes a person think about the difference between feeding a six foot snake versus a twelve foot snake. The sheer amount you would need to feed one of them is enough to turn some away from owning either of these species.

While ball pythons have their selling points, red-tail boa constrictors definitely have their attributes. One of the biggest differences between these two species is their reproduction habits. The female ball pythons need underground burrows to keep their eggs once they have them. Red-tail boa constrictors, on the other hand, do not lay eggs. Female red-tail boa constrictors keep their young in their bodies to grow in the yolk of their small eggs within the female. Once the small yolk eggs have dissolved and the juvenile snakes are ready to come out, the female will give birth to live babies. One might see this as an issue more than an attribute on the part of the female red-tail boa constrictor. The reason that this is really a blessing is because when the live babies exit the female red-tail, they are able and willing to be independent. When dealing with eggs, the maintenance factor goes through the roof. Also, with eggs, the female might become aggressive until they hatch which might make for stressful feedings. Another big difference has to do with how much you invest in your snake. Although there are flukes and exceptions to each rule, red-tail boa constrictors are healthier, by nature, than ball pythons. Ball pythons are susceptible to a multitude of illnesses and also can be easily overfed. This promotes obesity within the species. This is bad because they are already prone to obesity. Ball pythons are quite cheaper than red-tail boa constrictors, but you have to consider getting what you pay for as well. Red-tails average retail value is one hundred fifty dollars. Ball python’s average retail value is sixty dollars. Average exotic pet veterinarian bills per visit are between eighty and one hundred dollars. This makes you think about what you are getting when you purchase a snake at a presumably “unbeatable price.”

With this information, you are able to make an informed decision about being a caretaker to one of our scaly friends. This information should give you the basics to choosing the perfect exotic snake for your needs, wants, and your wallet. I leave you with one last thought. Whichever route you choose to go, whether it is a red-tail boa constrictor or a ball python, make sure you are adequately prepared for handling frozen, thawed, and live rodents.