I have searched through countless forums along with YouTube videos trying to decide on the next snake to home. So far I’ve narrowed it down between a coastal carpet python, BC, or a dwarf burm. I’ve exhausted myself researching all three, so I’m finally folding and making my first post to ask for help.
I like the thought of more the active, semi-arboreal traits of the carpet and BC, but all the readings of how nippy they can be and how easily they can get over being handled has me leaning more towards the burm for their overall docile behavior. I want something that won’t cause worry if I allow my children to handle. (Not alone of course)
I do have previous experience with balls and some sub adult retics, but I want to add something new to the mix.
Dumerils boa(?) They have a calm, inquisitive demeanor. Rarely are they picky. Mine switched from mice to rats from one meal to the next. Not prone to biting. Don’t get huge. The natural pattern looks like a row of flowers down the spine.
There is only one morph I’m aware of. T-pos albino, though there is some variation in color. They can be pink or orange, mostly as an accessory color. Readily bred in captivity, they are considered endangered but seem quite available.
Humidity requirements are not a huge deal. Mine shed well at 50% although I do wet their bedding when the time comes.
That said, carpets can be very friendly if handled gently from a young age and consistently. So can BC. Of course if there is any issues there is a very knowledgeable community right here to offer advice.
No one will help you with your developing reptilian addiction but all will welcome you.
I definitely wouldn’t disqualify carpets or boas on the grounds of them being nippy. My boa is easily the most docile snake I’ve ever met (though she’s a BI, not BC), and I’ve known a couple carpets who are truly lovely to handle. I’ve heard of some burms that are quite nippy. Point being, I think temperament is going to come down more to the individual and how well they’ve been socialized rather than the species. Whatever you decide to get, it would be a good idea to mention to the breeder that you want a docile animal, and they should be able to help you pick out a snake that meets your criteria.
Personally, I’d go for the BC, but I freely admit that’s mainly because I adore my BI and she has made me totally biased for boas. Carpets and burms are awesome too. Maybe ask yourself how heavy you want this new snake to be. BC and burm are going to be more girthy and heavy than a carpet of similar length, which definitely changes the overall handling experience.
Thank you!
Yeah, I can see where you’re coming from for the temperament being individual. My first retic never struck at me for the time that I had her. My kids could handle her without any defensive or nervous behavior.
I think I’m leaning more towards the BC or BI for the heavy body, semi-arboreal, and is around the 10ft mark. I considered a male burm for them being smaller than female, but worry the size may stil be too long.
My boa is super food motivated, so she’s tap trained and I have to tap her down before reaching my hand in with her, but once she’s convinced she’s not being fed, she’s an incredible snake to handle. Relaxed, curious, never fearful or defensive. I work with people with developmental disabilities, and I’ve brought her to work with me and let the clients and my coworkers pet and hold her, and she’s been amazing with them. She’s still young, but it’s going to be awesome when she puts on some more size. Boas are amazing pet snakes, and in general they tend to have very chill, easy-going temperaments (outside of the feeding response).
Size-wise, boas can vary a lot. 10’ is on the larger end, though there are certainly BC and BI localities and family lines that can get that big (or bigger). Argentine boas (BCO) tend to get rather large as well. Most boas aren’t going to get anywhere near 10’ though. 6-8’ seems more average, and many localities are even smaller than that. Do keep in mind that boas grow much more slowly than pythons, so it’s going to take a lot longer to grow a boa to size.
I don’t know enough about burms, dwarf burms, and their respective sizes to compare, so I’m afraid I can be much help there.
Thank you!
I think that really helped narrow it down a lot. The main thing was just a larg”er” animal that would be fine for my kids to enjoy to really get their love for reptiles budding. 10’ was just a ball park. I’m fine if they’re shorter or longer when they reach adulthood.
I have everything you’ve listed and I breed most of them. Carpets are really rewarding and if you stick to coastals you’re likely to get a chill animal. My pair of coastals have never even tried to bite me (except some close calls during feeding). The size you see listed online is going be pretty exaggerated though. It’s not uncommon for them to get 7-8’ but if fed on a healthy schedule they don’t typically get too much over 6’.
Boas have been covered pretty well by everyone else, but they’re fantastic pets.
Dwarf Burms are not going to make a good pet generally. I’ve never seen one that wasn’t extremely defensive.
