Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all, my son and I are wanting to expand our collection to include a boa. We have a 6 x 4 foot enclosure and are looking for a gentle species that can live comfortably in this size habitat as an adult. I also need it to be as nicely tempered as possible. We are looking for a pet only, and a trip to the classified page reveals no "normals". Everything is high priced breeders or "pretty colored" snakes. We would be satisfied with just a plane jane type specimen if anyone has one for sale cheap enough that shipping won't kill the deal, or are located close to West TN. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1.0 Iguana
0.1 GBK
1.0 W Hognose

As long as you only feed it once a week as a juvenile and continue to feed it on a reasonable schedule as an adult, pretty much any boa constrictor will be able to live in that cage. Not any boa, any boa constrictor, no anacondas j/k I'm sure you knew that. Since it's a pet for your kid, mabey something small like a nicaraguan or central american boa. They are usually very inexpensive.

I probably wouldn't take that recommendation getting a Nicaraguan or Central American as they tend to have a little attitude. I would stick with a good ole Colombian. I have seen plenty of ads for normals and I can even direct you to some folks I have purchased normals from before that still look very nice. E-mail me if you like at thackerloan@yahoo.com .

Bad boas aren't born, they're made. j/k Yah, I have seen some nasty central americans and nicaraguans but I've seen some equally nasty colombians and some tame central americans and nicaraguans. But I guess you are more likely to get a calm colombian. I guess you shoud go with whatever doesn't bite a hole in your boat and sink it. Corny? yes, but Amusing?... no, not so much I guess.

I have a pet Columbian boa(common boa) and she has an excellent temperament.My kids handle her and she very calm.Ive not had any other boas but she is my favorite of all my snakes.
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Do Central American Red Tails really have a bad disposition? I found someone who will sell me one for $85 shipped. Thats the best deal I have been able to find.

I do not believe they have a particularly bad disposition. The babies do tend to be a bit more hissey and nippy than colombians but I have seen many calm central american boas. The local reptile specialty store had some not too long ago that never hissed or bit ever.