What’s the Difference Between a Python and a Boa?

Pythons and boas are both large, powerful constricting snakes, and many people use the names interchangeably. But they are actually two distinct families of snakes with some important differences. Whether you are a snake enthusiast or just curious, understanding what sets these two groups apart is pretty interesting.

The Biggest Difference: How They Reproduce

The most significant biological difference between pythons and boas is how they have babies. Pythons are egg layers (oviparous). The female lays a clutch of eggs and in most species, she coils around them to keep them warm until they hatch. Boas, on the other hand, give live birth (ovoviviparous). The eggs develop inside the mother’s body, and she delivers fully formed baby snakes.

This reproductive difference is fundamental to how these two groups are classified. No matter how similar a python and a boa might look, this distinction alone puts them in separate families.

Where They Live

Pythons and boas have largely different geographic ranges, though there is some overlap. Pythons are found in Africa, Asia, and Australia. They are Old World snakes, meaning they evolved in the Eastern Hemisphere. The most familiar python species include ball pythons (Africa), Burmese pythons (Southeast Asia), and carpet pythons (Australia).

Boas are primarily found in the Americas, making them New World snakes. Boa constrictors, emerald tree boas, and rosy boas are all native to North, Central, or South America. However, there are some exceptions. Sand boas are found in Africa and Asia, which shows that the geographic divide is not absolute.

Physical Differences

While pythons and boas can look similar at first glance, there are some physical differences that help tell them apart.

Skull and teeth: Pythons have a bone in their skull called the premaxilla that contains teeth. Boas lack this bone, or it is greatly reduced and toothless. This is a technical difference that you would not notice without examining the skull, but it is one of the key features scientists use to classify these snakes.

Heat sensing pits: Both pythons and boas have heat sensing pits that allow them to detect warm blooded prey, but the pits are located in slightly different places. Pythons have pits in or between their lip scales (labial scales), while boas have them between the lip scales rather than within them. In some boa species, the pits are less prominent or absent altogether.

Head shape: In general, pythons tend to have more triangular, distinct heads compared to boas, which often have more rounded heads that blend more smoothly into their bodies. This is a general trend with many exceptions, so it is not a reliable way to tell them apart on its own.

Popular Pet Species Compared

In the pet trade, both pythons and boas are extremely popular. Here is how some of the most common pet species compare.

Ball pythons vs. boa constrictors: Ball pythons are smaller (3 to 5 feet), shyer, and generally calmer. Boa constrictors are larger (6 to 10 feet), more confident, and have a stronger feeding response. Both make good pets for different experience levels.

Carpet pythons vs. Amazon tree boas: Both are semi arboreal snakes with similar care requirements, but carpet pythons tend to be more handleable while Amazon tree boas are known for being more defensive and nippy.

Reticulated pythons vs. green anacondas: These are the giants of their respective families. Retics are the longest snakes in the world, while green anacondas are the heaviest. Neither is appropriate for anyone but the most experienced keepers. You can learn more about retics in our article on how long reticulated pythons get.

Care Differences

In terms of captive care, pythons and boas have broadly similar requirements since they are all tropical or subtropical constrictors. Both need warm enclosures with proper temperature gradients, appropriate humidity, secure housing, and a diet of rodents or other whole prey items.

The main care differences come down to the specific species rather than whether it is a python or a boa. A rosy boa from the American Southwest has very different humidity needs than a green tree python from Indonesia, for example. Always research the specific species you are interested in rather than applying general “python” or “boa” care guidelines.