Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I'm planning on purchasing a red tail boa as my first snake. THinking about getting a young female. Any recommendation as to which type of red tail I should get, and how I can tell which is better than which? Also any information you guys can give me about them would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Boa c. imperator. or the common boa or the colombian boa.
They make the best pet boa.

Yes, I've been looking around for Columbian Boa Imperator, but I don't know which place sells the best quality ones. The healthiest ones. Do you know where I can get a quality youg Columbian Boa Imperator female? About maybe 3 months or so old. If you know of any place please let me know. Thanks.

If your looking for "Top of the line Colombian's" also lot's of info' on Boa's in general, aint none better than Rio Bravo Reptile's, at www.riobravoreptiles.com Good Luck, in your search ! !
Have A Good One ! !
Kenneth

i think a boa isnt a good first snake. they get big. not huge but BIG! try a corn or hog first. check out boaphile or the classifieds.

The market is flooded with Nics,they can be had for $25-$40 pretty easily.Their also listed as Central Americans by some Importers/Breeders/Sellers.Most are farm bred but overall you cant tell them from CBB`s.After a Vet check-up and shipping charges your still well under the majority of"overpriced"CBB Nics.They are just as easy to care for as any other BCI,they dont get huge and do very well on conservitive feeding schedules.
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Money Only Wished It Had The Control Over The World That FEAR Does !

>>The market is flooded with Nics,they can be had for $25-$40 pretty easily.Their also listed as Central Americans by some Importers/Breeders/Sellers.Most are farm bred but overall you cant tell them from CBB`s.After a Vet check-up and shipping charges your still well under the majority of"overpriced"CBB Nics.They are just as easy to care for as any other BCI,they dont get huge and do very well on conservitive feeding schedules.
Rarely does it require an IQ of more then single digits to break out in the herp care hobby with many bci forms.With minimal research and proper direction anyone can master the minimum husbandary requirements needed to enjoy what many bci forms offer.Insular/locale bci forms are just as hearty and forgiving as any colubrid variety.
Plenty of help here to pull you thru "any" questions you may have.But !! if this is an impulse buy and your not willing to provide 100% long term care(10-15 years)for an animal then please choose something else to play with.Otherwise the market is "right" for good deals for the first time keeper.

So Get After It !
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Money Only Wished It Had The Control Over The World That FEAR Does !

I would not personally recomend any BCI as a first snake. IMHO corn snakes/rat snakes are much better first time pets. You don't learn to walk before you crawl, again imo the same applies with snakes.

I have kept colubrids since I was a child and never had a significant problem. BCIs are easy to care for but not nearly as trouble free as colubrids and colubrids are a heck of a lot less expensive to care for. If you decide you don't like keeping a snake after a few years, an adult king or corn snake is is far easier to sell to the local reptile shop or give to someone else than an adult boa.