Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well I posted earlier asking, but because so many people post I'm afraid it will only get ignored now....

Anyway, I'm kinda split right now. I plan on getting a boa, but I've pretty much narrowed it down. My first choice is a Hog Island boa because it's still a boa constrictor, only smaller. I'm also being offered a Colombian rainbow boa that needs to get out of his previous owner's house by December I believe. I definitely cannot get both because I don't have the room for two somewhat large snakes. What should I do? Thanks in advance for any help I receive.
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

A colombian rainbow boa is not a boa constrictor. It is a completely different species though still in the boa family. I don't think they get very big -- something like 3-4 feet long. Raised right, from a baby, rainbows get dog tame and are excellent feeders. Although in room light they are a rather unexciting medium brown, in direct sunlight the skin is iridescent. While rainbows need more humidity than a boa constrictor, adults don't need it as much as babies.

I've had three Colombian rainbows and like them. I like boa constrictors, too. It's hard to find bad things to say about boa constrictors as long as the size is within your means.

I would suggest checking the ads to see what sort of money you'd have to pay for the boa constrictor and the Colombian rainbow. And I'd check the rainbow for mites, physical condition, and ease of feeding. Given no great preference on your part and approximately equal cost, it would make sense to go with the local snake if it is in good condition and has no mites. Especially if the boa constrictor has to be shipped in sight unseen.

Good luck.

Paul Hollander

Go with the Hog Island boa.

Definatly the rainbow.

I dont know about Collumbians but my brazillian is wonderfull.

They are hot snakes and dont get too huge.
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Russ
Baby Brazilian Rainbow Boa
Melbourne, Fl

Colombians are dull rainbows that are nowhere near as pretty as Brazilians, but deserve respect nonetheless. The one I'm being offered is 6 feet, and they can reach up to 8 feet(as can brazilians).
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

I was under the asumption that brazillians got 5-7' long
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Russ
Baby Brazilian Rainbow Boa
Melbourne, Fl

Well you assumed right lol. I'm still learning about them. In fact I just realized they are subspecies lol. But I just checked out NERD's site and they recommended Colombian rainbows for people who have had some experience with boas such as colombian red tails and such. So i seem to be leaning towards the hoggie right now. By the way, I saw your boa pics in the rainbow subforum...pretty little thing you got...my kingsnake would be jealous lol
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

I say Hogg, but that's just my personal biased opinion.

I should let you all know that this would be my very first boa, no matter what Genus or species or subspecies, well you get the idea. Like I said, the Colombian is going to be in need of a home soon (so it seems last I brought it up with the owner, i dunno if the circumstances have changed). So which boa would be better suited for a novice boa keeper? Again thanks in advance for any help.
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

my first snake was a columbian rainbow boa and i love her. they look plain at first but their easy to handle and mine is a great feeder. i think mine is beautiful in its` own way
Link

Only way you can have a Hog Island boa is if you learn how to first spell it correctly.
" H O G I S L A N D " or native Cayo Cachino Boa.They come from one of the "two" Hog Islands,primarly "Big Hog Island" the other "Little Hog Island"isnt much bigger then acouple hundreds yards either way,floods at high tide,affords no fresh water etc.(They were never collected there)
Why people INSIST on adding the additional "G" is beyond many ???
It has never fit regardless of reference muchless context.
Surely you can handle that right ?
The Hog Isles are extremely laid back and docile from birth,it seems "size" is your biggest worry ...... get a male and keep him on a conservative feed routine and he should stay right at 5' or slightly less.You'll never regret it.Those other BRB,CRB,GRBs are generally more labor intensive IMO.Hog Isle and other BCI are much more forgiving to novice husbandry error then many other forms.They will thrive on ambient room temps above 80-85* year round without 90% of the alledged "needs"(BS) of most BCI caresheets currently available.

Get One !

M/

I don't know if I am a novice. I have kept more reptiles than what's on my little list, and I constantly read up on reptiles and their care. Yet this is going to be my first boa...so I am a novice when it comes to them...but that is besides the point

What exactly is a "conservative feeding schedule?" I'm thinking it is just feed him less than once a week? I always thought Hoggies,as I now have begun to affectionatly call them(yes I'm taking the hognose's nickname, so sue me), stayed small no matter what...
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Based on mice free all Rat diet .......
Adjusting prey to size as growth progress's mind you....
7-10 days birth to 6 months
14 days 6 months to 1 year
21 days from 1 year till death(18-20 yrs)(Confirmed WC Hog Islands exceeding 20 years captive when not fed like their keepers) LOL!!
It will out live anything fed by todays accepted norm by several years.
The above was suggested towards a goal of a long living,slow growing(yet thriveing) PET!

But...if ya Gonna bred'em ya gotta feed'em!

M/

>>I don't know if I am a novice. I have kept more reptiles than what's on my little list, and I constantly read up on reptiles and their care. Yet this is going to be my first boa...so I am a novice when it comes to them...but that is besides the point
>>
>>What exactly is a "conservative feeding schedule?" I'm thinking it is just feed him less than once a week? I always thought Hoggies,as I now have begun to affectionatly call them(yes I'm taking the hognose's nickname, so sue me), stayed small no matter what...
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>>1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
>>0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
>>1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
>>0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Hate to sound rude but what you said made no sense. was that the number of times to feed them or the age of the rats!?! I'm so confused...
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Makes perfect sense.

M/

>>Hate to sound rude but what you said made no sense. was that the number of times to feed them or the age of the rats!?! I'm so confused...
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>>1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
>>0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
>>1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
>>0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

>Adjusting prey to size as growth progress's mind you....
7-10 days birth to 6 months

My interpretation:
The size of the rat for each meal is increased to match the snake's increased size.
7-10 days (interval between feedings for snakes aged) birth to 6 months

Paul Hollander

OOOOOH so it's how often to feed a boa of a certain age! Thanks so much to both of you! I'm gonna print it out ASAP lol.
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Correct....
My bad for assumeing he wasnt as was self proclaimed "a novice"
at keeping reptiles.Boa yes,reptiles no.
Figured I was meeting him better then half way on an example of conservative feeding for a healthy Hog Isle Boa.
I think he has it now

M/

>>>Adjusting prey to size as growth progress's mind you....
>>7-10 days birth to 6 months
>>
>>My interpretation:
>>The size of the rat for each meal is increased to match the snake's increased size.
>>7-10 days (interval between feedings for snakes aged) birth to 6 months
>>
>>Paul Hollander

Yes I do have it now. And yea I'm a boa novice. I have said I read up alot on keeping reptiles, but I should have mentioned I never really read about boas. At first they never really grabbed my attention because of their large size and always being told to keep away from the large ones. But recently I saw a colombian red tail fed a mouse, and that snake was the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on. Now I've kindled a liking towards these big guys and want one of my own. Just have to decide whether i should be a nice guy and take the colombian rainbow in or buy my own hoggie...hehe
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Wow this decision is getting harder and harder! The rainbow is going to need a new home, but hoggies are so cool too! OY VEY!
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Better just get the Rainbow (you can spell it) LOL

j/k

M/

>>Wow this decision is getting harder and harder! The rainbow is going to need a new home, but hoggies are so cool too! OY VEY!
>>-----
>>1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
>>0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
>>1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
>>0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Um that didn't explain the numbers.....
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

My first boa was a brazilian rainbow. They are classed as 'not for beginers', just because they are more demanding in temperatures and humidity levels then a red tail. You have to really keep an eye on thier tanks to make sure they aren't too dry/wet, and that they have enough heat and air circulation at the same time. If you can handle checking the temp and humidity levels everyday, then you will do fine with a rainbow. They are amazing, and have great personalities. The one you are talking about sounds like it would be really nice and good of you to give him/her a nice home too. They do get 5-7 feet (females get bigger then males) but they are not heavy bodied like a redtail is, you know?? Hogs are awesome too, and would be easier to care for. I'm not sure about Hogislands, but I know I've never had a rainbow miss a meal, they are great eaters. Hope this helps!!
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Alone, alone, all, all alone. Alone on a wide, wide sea.
-Rime of the ancient Mariner

So keep an eye on the humidity huh? Well I'd be able to do that, but I'm in college right now and I'd have to keep it home and have my family look after it. Would it be easy for them to contrl humidity while I'm away? I'm not that far from home so I would be able to go back on weekends.
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)