Boas Versus Pythons

Boas and pythons are in the constrictor family of snakes, so named because they constrict their prey in order to kill it. The ball python is the most common python and is named because its defensive to maneuver is to curl into a ball around its head. Both snakes are quite similar, make good pets and are a wonder in nature.

  1. Size

    • Boas are a long and slender snake. The head is very distinct from the neck, due to its triangular shape. Common boas reach 4 to 8 feet long, with one of the largest recorded being 12 feet long.
      The most common python is the ball python which grows to an average of 3 to 4 feet in captivity, slightly larger than those in the wild. The head of the python is clearly separate from the neck and body of the snake.

    Natural environment

    • The boa constrictor's native home is anywhere from Mexico to Argentina. The boa lives in a wide variety of habitats, from deserts to tropical forests. Ball pythons originate from western and west-central Africa. The python can be found in open forests or even dry savannahs. They usually reside in abandoned or confiscated burrows near a water source.

    Diet

    • In the wild, both the python and the boa survive on similar diets--whatever they can find that they can swallow. This typically consists of rodents, small birds and small mammals. In captivity the majority of snakes are fed mice or rats, due to the ease of attaining the rodents from a pet store.

    Pets

    • Ball pythons are an excellent starter snake pet because of their mild temperament and smaller size. Boa constrictors are also great snakes for pets. Both the python and the boa require detailed care when setting up their habitat, which must include a locking cage, a heat source and a variety of other items. The set up for a snake is usually more expensive than the actual snake.

    Warnings

    • Even though neither the boa nor the python are poisonous snakes, you must still take care when handling them to ensure safety. These snakes are not prone to biting, but require much more care in order to remain calm and not view you as a threat or prey. Also, keeping the snake enclosed when not being handled is of utmost concern, because an escaped snake can prove dangerous to pets.