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Prospective Boa Owner Seeking Advice

MikeWeg Jul 08, 2003 09:23 PM

Hi all. I'm relatively new to these forums. I currently keep 2 BPs. They're great and I've definitely been biten by the snake bug. I'm researching boas as I'd like to buy one in the near future. I have a question or two and I hope some of you may be able to take a minute or two to offer some advice.

I'm looking to get a boa that grows into the 6' to 7' range, a little smaller is fine but no bigger. I'd like the animal to have a relatively calm and docile temperament. I've seen varying opinions on whether Boa c constrictor or Boa c imperator is the more "nervous" or unpredictable species. Generally it seems that Boa c imperator comes out ahead in the calm category. I understand that much depends on the keeper but I'd like to know what people think regarding what would best fit what I'm looking for?

I have kids, 4 and 7 years old, and would like them to feel comfortable around my animals so that is another consideration.

These forums have been a big help and often times comfort for me so thanks again and look forward to hearing what folks think.

Replies (7)

JDouglas Jul 08, 2003 10:05 PM

Hog Island Boas are great boas that are a little smaller than other BCI. Some have great color and most that I have dealt with have an nice temperment. Brazilian Rainbow Boas are also a great size, color, and temperment.

Good Luck,

Jaremy Douglas

KeoniKoch Jul 09, 2003 12:13 AM

I agree with Douglas. Hog Island boas are one of the Imperator group that dont get very large, and generally have a docile temperment. They are easier to come by than some of the more rare localities but I am sure they could make great pets as well. Gus has some pics above of Corn Island boas that stay small as well, and I am sure their temperment is fine. Temperment really depends on the individual snake. I have had Hogs that never bit once, and I have seen Hogs that bite everything until they are handled enough.

On that note I am not sure I would ever fully trust a snake with a child. Boas have the ability to inflict a pretty serious bite, and though all of my snakes are tame, I would hate for my kid to be ripped open and traumatized at a very young age. But to each his own I suppose.
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"Victory is reserved for those willing to pay its price"

Raven01 Jul 09, 2003 08:05 AM

Boa c. constrictor will definitely outgrow your 6'-7' range. While I have not kept them personally, so I can't really say what their temperment is like, I have read enough to know that they can get quite large. Boa c. imperator will most likely be what you are looking for between the two. There are a lot of different Bci, the most common is the Colombian redtail aka common redtail (as seen in pet stores). In my experience, the Colombians are generally calm in nature overall (I have 5 adults and 3 juveniles). If you go with the Colombian redtails, I'd recommend a male as they generally stay in the 6'-7' range, whereas females may (I stress the 'may' part) get up to 8'-9' range. FWIW, of my 3 adult females, two are four years old and 7' and the oldest is 6' and ten years old (give or take). I expect that both of my four year old females will top out around 8'. Both of my males are 7', one is 12 years old and the other is eight (give or take).

There are also Central American Bci. The few Central American Bci I've seen are smaller than the Colombians but can also be nippier initially. In my own experience, gentle and consistent handling will go a long way towards calming them down. Sonoran Desert boas (yet another Bci) are also smaller than the Colombians and seem to have the same gentle nature, at least the few I've encountered have. The specimens I've seen are overall darker than the Colombians but still very attractive snakes. As already mentioned by the other posters, Hog Islands are also very nice Bci that stay within the size range you are looking for and can be quite docile.

There are also a couple of other smaller boas that I'm unfamiliar with - Crawl Cay boas I've heard mentioned are smaller boas but I'll be the first to admit I know nothing about them. Also the Corn Island boas are smaller (there's a post above by Gus of Rio Bravo on these). There are also Solomon Island ground boas (a personal favorite of mine - three in my collection) and Viper boas (also great little snakes). Both are subspecies of Candoia and both remain relatively small - males around 3' and females around 4'. Captive bred is the way to go with these little beauties and you should have a docile small boa. Rosy boas are also smaller though I've heard mixed reviews about their temperment. Sand boas are a great choice for a small boa, usually maxing out around 3' and easily housed in a ten gallon tank their whole lives. Rubber boas also stay relatively small but aren't as attractive, in my opinion anyway, as some of the others.

Alot of the temperment concerns will vary between the individual snakes, obviously, but overall Bci are calmer and more easily handled as well as some of the other small boas I mentioned. As for interaction with your children, I would suggest starting with a neonate or juvenile boa of whichever species you decide on. The small boa will be less intimidating to small children, though on the same token they can be nippy until they are used to being handled. However the bite from a neonate is nothing compare to a bite from a larger adult. I have 22 snakes in my collection currently and there are some animals I will take out around children and some that I absolutely will not. It is just as important to teach the kids how to behave around the snake as it is to teach the snake that handling is a nice thing.

Whatever species you decide on, best of luck. They're all great!

Raven

woodchip Jul 09, 2003 08:24 AM

I was in your position as I never owned a boa. I finally settled on the Dumerils Boa. Can't say enough nice thing about this species. Bought her as a neonate and from day one she has never attempted to bite. Fact is she will go to sleep in my hands. Very slow and easy going movements. Having said that, I handle her just about every day. When I take her out of the tank I just don't reach in and grab her, instead I remove all her hiding material and then put my hand in front of her so she can "smell" me. As often as not she will then move her head onto my hand once she recognises me (this may take a minute if she was in a sleep state)
As to size the female dumerils may exceed your length limit as they get 6-7 feet or longer, but the males will stay around the 5 foot size. Read up on the species and I think you may find the dumeril boa is a viable choice.

tcdrover Jul 09, 2003 10:19 AM

Hi, I'd recommend the Hog Island Boa also. The other couple that
get mentioned below, the Dumerils and the Brazilian Rainbow Boa
both pretty much fall into your size range, but the Hog is the
easiest to take care of. Dumerils are great I've got one, but
they can be very shy feeders when young. BRB's are also
gorgeous boas, I used to have one, but they are just plain shy
animals and require a slightly higher humidity level. They are
also very likely to hide most of the time during the day and in
terms of handling they are usually movers.

Any of those three are good choices though.

Thanks,
tc

East TN Reptile Jul 09, 2003 10:40 AM

MikeWeg Jul 09, 2003 10:56 PM

Thanks all for your input. It's been super helpful. So it looks like I'm going for a Hogg Island boa!

I should have my new friend Friday or early next week!

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