Are Red Tail Boas fine for a beginner, despite their size?

Question

Several times I've had people, even a breeder, tell me that red tails are ok for anyone- starter or advanced- because of their docility, despite the fact that they can reach 7-10 feet.

I found this surprising, but is this true?

Answer 1

Boa constrictors are not usually a starter snake partly because of their size- my largest was about 14 feet. While juveniles and sub-adults may be nippy- as a general rule, the large boas tend not to be aggressive, but this does not mean they are not capable of biting and severely injuring you. I find most to have good feed responses and rarely deny food.  For anyone that has done the research and is dedicated this will be an awarding experience even for the the beginner.

Answer 2

My very first snake was a red tailed boa and i got her when i was 6. by the time i was ten she was rite around 9 foot and i had no trouble handling her. Most boas have great tempermates and that is a def when it comes to red tailed boas. I think you should do just fine. it looks like everyone esle was pretty indepth with there answeres so ima leave mine at that.

Answer 3

My first snake was a boa. there was allot of reading on the boas that i have done. One thing you need to keep in mind is that yes it is a large snake, which is going to need a large cage. And they are big eaters.

I love my snakes. So if you have done all the research about the boa's and you feel that you are up to the task of caring for it. There is nothing better than a boa. Here is a link that may help you  http://redtailboas.com/care/TheUltimateC...

Answer 4

Well they could be, but they are really more of an intermediate snake because of their size and also because some can mature differently then some people would expect.

Most people who are looking for a beginner snake usually go with ball pythons or corn snake because they are more docile and they stay quite small.

I personally like the red tail boas, but ball pythons or corns would make a much better beginner then the red tail boa. Some red tail boa can hit the mature age and they becomes very aggressive(bitting, striking, etc.) though it doesn't happen often(1 out of 10 boas) but there is always a chance it could happen to you(or the boa owner)

Hope this could help!

Answer 5

Yes, because the only reason they are usually considered intermediate is because of their size - most beginners don't have the resources for such a large snake.

A lot of people have told me that they are just as docile as ball pythons - and all the ones I've met have reflected that.

Answer 6

As others have said their temperment is generally very good and they are reliable feeders. I certainly would not suggest that a beginner acquire an adult but if you acquire a baby you will have 3 or 4 years of ownership experience under your belt by the time your snake is a significant size.  

Answer 7

Red tails are just fine for beginners.  I dealt with new specimens every week at the pet shop I worked at and have never had any problems when handling Red Tail boas, even if they have rarely been handled in the past.  It is better, of course to handle any snake often to keep it docile, but as far as Red Tails and Ball Pythons go they are pretty easy going thanks to captive breeding.  

If it is not captive bred, or wild caught you may have some issues, but other than that they are a great snake to own.  Remember to get a big enough enclosure for it; might as well get it to start with instead of constantly upgrading.

There are of course the exceptions to this because every snake is different, but on average this is the case.  Just be sure to handle a few at the store when you go to make sure you get the healthiest and most docile they have.  A good way to tell this is by running your finger up the snakes neck towards the head and see if it pulls back or see how it reacts.  The less head shy a snake the more tame.

Good Luck