Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I have a few Ball Pythons, but was wondering about the temperment of the average BCI, I know each snake is different. But the impression I get on the most part of the Red Tail is that they are quite nippy or cage defensive the first year or two, but then as they get larger they seem to mellow out a little and seem to be a bit more docile.

Am I right about this?

Hi I personally own several boas,juvie to 20 lbs, like you stated I'm a firm believer that every one has it's own personality,with handling and proper care most boas,pythons ect. Become tame but there is the exception like my big female bci that decides to try and eat my hand,leg,feet,face...from time to time you just have to learn the personalities of each one individually, good luck!
-----
1.0 FWC,1.0 motley het sharp, 1.0 columbian,1.0 ETB, 1.0 jungle carpet , 0.1 sunglow albino,0.1 bolivian amarilli,0.1 great basin I rattler, 1.1 monocled cobras, 1.1 uracoan Rattlers,0.1 gaboon, 1.0 rhino viper,

It has been my experience with "Colombian" BCI, they are usually quite tame acting from birth. The ones that typically behave as you described are more the CA BCI.

At least that has been my experience.

Mark

I've cared for over 100 boas in the last 10 years (most were boas I produced) and I've never had one that was just flat out nasty tempered. In fact, I've only been bitten probably somewhere around 6 or 7 times. Every time was because I did something REALLY stupid. I general I take precautions and don't allow them many chances to bite, even the babies. Not because I'm scared of the bite, but because I don't want them going down that path at all.

I have several boas that will strike the front of the cage when I walk by, but I chalk that up to their INSANE feeding response. They see movement when they're hungry and WHAM, they strike. But, once they realize that there's no food, they're back to normal. FYI, those that do this are my adults. Not my babies and juvies.

Coming from BP's, you've probably heard the phrase "red tail" many many times and think (like most who don't work with boas and even a disturbingly large number who do work with boas) that it applies to BCI. This confusion (which is likely intentional on the part of many) exists because people selling them believe (rightfully so) that calling a BCI a "red tail" will make it sell better/faster/at a higher price - even though it's not actually a "red tail" (nor is the tail actually red).

The term "red tail" only applies to BCC. I just wanted to point that out so that should you decide to purchase a boa, you can ask for, and receive what you actually want.

Pictured is a Guyanese BCC - aka - a "red tail" from Guyana:

*picture taken in December of 2010 when my moss was nice and green

This is what a boa that might be called a "red tail" for marketing purposes looks like:

*picture taken last week in the middle of summer when the moss was STRUGGLING and not so green

The second boa is what most people refer to as a BCI. I don't know with certainty that sometime in the past there wasn't a cross breeding with another subspecies so I don't claim that it is "pure BCI" - but it definitely resembles what most people refer to as BCI. In fact, many would INSTANTLY call this a "Colombian BCI" when in fact, there is some Panamanian blood in the lineage (the most common lines of hypomelanism - or "hypo" - originated from Panama). This boa is the by-product of a morph project and MOST boa morph producers could care less about crossing localities or subspecies (like BCI x BCC) so if they do it, it usually gets lost in the history.

So for the sake of simplicity, you can see BCC vs BCI in my two pictures. One CLEARLY has a red tail. The other does not (even though MANY would market it as such). There are also several other differences - some of which are obvious at various stages of experience with boas.

I produced both of these boas. Neither one has ever bitten me or even struck at me

A boas long-term temperament is MUCH MORE a product of environment/nurture than it is nature. But, I absolutely acknowledge that there are a few individuals which are not handleable without the risk of getting tagged. But, these are VERY few and far between. Like I said, I've had over 100 and haven't had any like this.

IMO, the two most important aspects for a boa to become tolerant (I think "tame" is a poor word choice when it comes to reptiles) are:

-Suitable housing, and
-An appropriate acclimation period

A new boa should be allowed to acclimate to a new keeper for at LEAST 3 months before being subjected to casual handling. During this time, a once or twice daily check on the boa to make sure that temperatures and water level are okay and to check for a dirty cage is all the interaction they should receive - other than being handled temporarily to move out of the cage so it can be cleaned. After the 3 month period, casual interaction can begin for a few minutes here and there and can increase to your desired level as time progresses. I've acclimated MULTIPLE boas this way including some WC imports with 100% success. In fact, my most "tolerant" (or "tame" if that makes more sense) boa is a WC male that I bought in '09.

All in all, it sounds like quite a bit of misinformation is swirling around the BP community regarding boas if others have been subjected to the same information you have. That's unfortunate since boas really are superior to BP's in every way. lol KIDDING!

If you like the variety in colors/patterns in BP's, I think you'll love boas! We have just as much to offer when you consider that there are 5 subspecies of boa constrictor easily available which all look different from one another. In fact, there are HIGHLY variable appearances even within a subspecies. For instance, "Shield BCC" look VERY different than "Basin BCC" - but they're both BCC. Another example is that a "Colombian BCI" looks VERY different than a "Hog Island BCI" - but they're both BCI.

If you add in all of the color and pattern mutations, it's easy to see that there's a boa for every taste

I hope this has dispelled many of the myths you've heard. Good luck!

jb

ps, the NASTIEST snake I've EVER seen was a BP. I saw it in Daytona back in... '07 I believe. Just RELENTLESS striking, biting, musking...
-----
What's written above is purely my opinion. In fact, MOST of what you read on the internet is someone's opinion. Don't take it too seriously

Jonathan Brady
DeviantConstrictors.com Site received a complete makeover! Check it out!

Totally agree with the others. I have found the BCI common boas to be one of the calmest and gentle snakes. Mostly they are calm as babies and grow into calm adults with proper handling and care. I have found the same with the BCC true redtails, although some say they are more high strung. Carpet pythons define "nippy" as babies but can be tamed as they grow older. I have seen some really nasty ball pythons too so each snake is an individual. Feeding response or defense is often confused with aggression. As you work with different snakes, you will learn more about snake behavior.

Boas are wonderful snakes to work with. There are a lot of different types and morphs out there. Do a lot of research and if you decide to go with a boa, pick one that you like and get a captive born baby from a good breeder. Some of the more exotic boas have more demanding care and habitat requirements. Though they grow larger than BCI and are more demanding in care, my preference in boas is the locale specific BCC. You are hard pressed to find a more beautiful snake. Bill
-----
...three years ago it was just another snake cult...
The Retic is King.
Anacondas-the other Dark Side.
Afrocks-the dark side of the Dark Side.

There is no way to really generalize some thing like temperament of a particular subspecies..... I truly believe temperament is most often affected by stressors in the boas environment rather than just a trait of the boa itself..... All boas have the ability to lash out and defend themselves... It's one of their survival skills.... It is a normal reaction to their world.....

Of course every once and a while you come across a snake that is just plain evil..... but I havent come across a boa like this in the almost 18 years Ive been working with reptiles..... And of the nearly 30 boas (bcc and BCA) I have in my collection, only one is a bit unpredictable..... but she is one that I am still acclimating.... Others were aggressive for a few months after receiving them, but them calmed down after they got settled in....

As JB said... if you really want a "redtail" be sure youre not getting a bci.It's amazing how many people in the know still can't seem to grasp the concept that bci ARENT redtails....
BCC are very rewarding boas to keep, and they are just as easy to care for..... There is so much variety in the world of BCC.... there are Surinames, Guyanas, Brazilians, Peruvians, Trinis, Ecuadorian, and even some Colombian examples of true redtails
Each of these has it's own range of appearance and morphology.. There are quite a few breeders producing these boas these days, and you should have no problem finding some good stock..... I just had a litter of Surinames in fact..... cheers
-----
Marc Duhon
Lafayette, Louisiana
SURINAMBOAS.COM
kaiyudsai@SURINAMBOAS.COM

I have been keeping BCI and Balls for 6 or so years now, and I have yet to be bit by my BCI. My ball pythons are a different story lol, I had one who tagged me almost EVERY feeding(super super feeding response) I find my boas are more likely to analyze before they bite...but not always! I have found baby BCI to be nervous at times, but most are pretty docile. I have one female who I picked up 5 years ago as a tiny foot long baby who has never been aggressive or bit anyone, yet will strike like a demon at anything perceived as food. I recognize when she is hungry, and more apt to mistakenly bite.

BCC(true red tails) I have found to be more defensive and thus more apt to strike in fear. But I have also met ones nice as pie. As a general rule I think boas are an intelligent and unique snake in there own right. They also make very good captives, but need ALOT of space and careful care. Not that they are difficult to keep, But a boa that has a pool to lay in, substrate to dig through and most importantly obstacles and branches to climb will be a much happier captive and healthier too.