Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been looking on-line and can't seem to find mention of the general temperaments. I have been seeing a good amount of adds for Costa Ricans and love the coloration and the smaller adult size and would like to add another species of boa to the collection but another species that are generally known to be easy going like my Hogs. Thanks

I've had a few.

Of particular interest are Vin Russo's San Isidro CR's he produced this year if any are left.

They can be small but reports of quite large females do come in.

To me personally, they are one of if not the most attractive CA boas. That's just me though.

They can be nasty. Some also are not. Of the six I've had over the years, all six resented being mucked with. Like anything else though, they can probably become quite calm with patience and careful, respectful handling.

Nice choice, no reason to not pursue a CR boa.

TC

I'm in the same boat. I've seen some available and they're my favorite boas appearance-wise, but I've been put off by all the stories of their nasty temperaments and potential to get a little larger than I'm comfortable with (if I'm going to have an angry snake, I don't want a big angry snake). I kept coming up with contradictory information on size, so some may very well stay small, but it sounds like there are quite a few large Costa Ricans too.

Yes Kevin, exactly what I am saying. I love my rubber boas and my hog islands especially due to the fact that they are so handleable. And makes me want to work with more boa species. I love the looks of BCC but the adult size throws me off. I also love the looks of longicauda and amarali but the temperaments sound so variable according to what I can find on-line. And of course the Costa Ricans have the stunning colors.

My male T albino CR is around 2.5ft long and 3 years old. The female is about 4ft and the same age. The female is a relatively grumpy beast and will strike when given the opportunity. The male on the other hand is relatively placid. I rarely handle my boas that much other than to check them over and when cleaning, so that can contribute to their temperament.

Warren
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Dr Warren Booth / Director USARK
North Carolina State University
Department of Entomology

I wonder if people find in their collections that males usually have the better temperments. I guess probaly starting with hog islands and being around a lot of pet BCI, puts me in a vacuum of good temperment boas and not in the reality of the temperments of the other localities. Especially now that localities are fascinating me and I wish to add a few more boas to the collection. Any one who wants to pipe in longicauda and amarali temperments would be greatly appreciated.

My amarali and longicauda were all great.

I do not think that locality really is a good indicator of temperament. I think its more to do with how often you handle the snake, its living conditions and health, etc.

Warren
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Dr Warren Booth / Director USARK
North Carolina State University
Department of Entomology

Good to know as the longicauda and the amarali are really the two species I would like to add to the collection the most. Thanks for the info.

I have a pair of 09's and they were very nippy to start with but have calmed down considerably and I believe that they will be calm adults. Its really if you handle your snakes or not. I find the ones that are handled more often make the better pets but with anything, there are exceptions to this. Either way Costa Ricans are neat little snakes to work with and I think you would really like them.

Jeff

I have a hypo columbian and costa rican cross with some really nice colors and abberant patterns. He's 2 years old and kinda thick, I was under the impression that they remained smaller when I first got him. He's really strong and likes to wrap around stuff and not let go but temperment wise he is outstanding! I really want to breed him to a female costa rican but cant find any that are old enough for sale.I guess I'll see what the future holds.