Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

Well, I'm not a true reptile newbie, but I am totally clueless about Boa constrictor constrictor and constrictor imperator. There are just so many morphs, localities, and varieties that I am getting completely lost in it!

So, I figured I would just ask for general info from you all. I'm interested in potentially acquiring a boa as my next snake (I currently have a Brazilian rainbow boa). I'm primarily looking for a locality that won't exceed 6 or 7 feet as an adult male. I'm particularly drawn to varieties that have a light, clean cream or ivory coloration with dark saddles, and of course, that beautiful, characteristic red tail.

Any recommendations? Sorry for being so vague, but I am really new to these guys. I've had a hard time finding a good "introductory" page describing everything, so I thought it'd be best to ask here first. Please be nice and have mercy!
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::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.2 Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides yellow-gold)
1.1 WC Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides blue Peru)
3.3 Pygmy corydoras (C. pygmaeus)
2.0 Endlers' Livebearers (P. sp. Endlers)

if your looking for a boa to stay that small i would think cay caulkers or hog island would be your best choice, but neither have that BCC red tail that your looking for although the hogs are normaly a light tan as you asked about.

OK, I see. Thanks for the info! I'll do some reading on those species in particular. Of the other subspecies, which stays the smallest but still has the red tail? I'm looking into a male, by the way, if there's much size difference between the two sexes. Just trying to scope out my options.

Thanks so much! I really appreciate your reply.
-----
::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.2 Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides yellow-gold)
1.1 WC Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides blue Peru)
3.3 Pygmy corydoras (C. pygmaeus)
2.0 Endlers' Livebearers (P. sp. Endlers)

Males are usually smaller but it also depends on how you feed.

Would you care to clarify? Do you mean by impacting their growth rate by feeding less/smaller meals? Thanks so much.
-----
::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.2 Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides yellow-gold)
1.1 WC Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides blue Peru)
3.3 Pygmy corydoras (C. pygmaeus)
2.0 Endlers' Livebearers (P. sp. Endlers)

i would have to say males are smaller as well but if you are feeding heavily they will obviously grow larger. i currently have a BCI male about four years old and is already nearing seven feet. i know there are some other dwarf species but i am not sure of them right now. those two i belive are the least expensive most common types that stay smallish.

Hmm... what about Venezuelan boas? They seem to max out around 7', which is doable. I can't find many decent photos of them, though. Anyone care to post some pics?
-----
::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.2 Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides yellow-gold)
1.1 WC Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides blue Peru)
3.3 Pygmy corydoras (C. pygmaeus)
2.0 Endlers' Livebearers (P. sp. Endlers)

Lets put it this way, most people can eat twice or three times what they should, a boa can do the same. My adult anery male can easily take 2 to 3 jumbo rats, but he only gets 1 every 10 days. If I were to feed him more he would definitely be bigger, but bigger is not better. He is about 6 ft. and I plan on keeping him that lenght.

take it from callmedaddy (?)... How you feed your boa will greatly
impact his/her growth. You don't want to starve them of course...but you can keep them at 6-7' by not feeding them every week. I used to feed my adult boas every 2 weeks.

- damian