All the cool stuff I've been told is true so far!

As I continue with the planning and setting up of a boa habitat, it's given me a chance to look around at breeders and check out boas at my local reptile store. Today I found a 2011 male Colombian BCI. The girl helping me also breeds them and just told me she has 11 salmon babies 1 albino and a couple of jungles that will be ready in 5 weeks or so.

She let me handle the 2011 male today, and that was by far my best snake experience to date. We own a Royal python that is about 1.5 years old, and while she is a wonderful, calm snake, I don't get a lot of excitement from her. 3 months of no feeding and in one hide or another 95% of the time. When I handle her she is very docile, but tends to look for a way out of human contact. We love her, but I wanted more.

I got that today. All boa folks seem to sing praises of their snakes and whenever the "If you could just have one?" question pops up almost everybody says boa. Now I know why. I didn't think I would ever feel like I bonded with a snake, but because of their instincts, I felt the boa I held today was totally digging the experience as much as I was. He is not a regularly handled snake, and did have a couple huffs and puffs to start but he calmed quickly and then used me like a tree and was so inquisitive.

His actions were so different from the Royal. He gripped onto me and was checking everything out. He didn't ever want to crawl away or leave and I had to laugh because all of you boa folks say its hard to get them back into the cage once they are out and this guy wanted to stay out LOL!


I have a bit too much time before my cage arrives 4-5 weeks from now to have made an offer or put money down on him but it's my hope that he does not sell, or that they are all like that fella. He was awesome!

I really think you boa people are dialed in because I was totally wowed today and now understand what everybody is raving about.

Believe me, I know EXACTLY what you are feeling!! When my hubby handled his very first boa as an adult, he fell head over heals and now fully supports my addiction! ;)

Why is it too much time to put money down on this 2011? I mean no disrespect in asking that - don't mean to be nosy. I have a deposit on a female snow that I did in December and she won't be paid for until shipping weather improves - so not til mid-april. That's a delay of more than 3 months! Now I know a lot of breeders won't be quite as flexible, but payment plans are very common - and 5 weeks is nothing. If you reeeally like this boy, ask her if she's let you put a down payment on him now and pay him off when the cages arrive. :gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Evenstar

Believe me, I know EXACTLY what you are feeling!! When my hubby handled his very first boa as an adult, he fell head over heals and now fully supports my addiction! ;)

Why is it too much time to put money down on this 2011? I mean no disrespect in asking that - don't mean to be nosy. I have a deposit on a female snow that I did in December and she won't be paid for until shipping weather improves - so not til mid-april. That's a delay of more than 3 months! Now I know a lot of breeders won't be quite as flexible, but payment plans are very common - and 5 weeks is nothing. If you reeeally like this boy, ask her if she's let you put a down payment on him now and pay him off when the cages arrive. :gj:

---

Not being nosy at all. I think because its a store they sell first come first serve. I think they would hold something for 30 days but I think my cage is still being made and I still have to get a thermostat. I want to be all set before I get anything. I can call and check, but my guess is they have to feed and maintain it for that much longer. Although for a boa 30 days could be 2 meals. The older snakes seem to cost more and I get it, as they have put more time into the animal.

I may call tomorrow. I think there are other fish in the see and I could find something I like just as much.

Oh yeah. I got my first Boa a few weeks ago. Night and day from my BP. Boas are confident, and athletic. My juvie was a little hissy and nippy when I first go her, but she is totally calm now. Have fun!

I hope you find one you love! Boas are awesome. I don't know how you could not fall in love with them if you ever handled one. Neither of my kids have ever huffed or hissed. Maybe you could put a deposit, or pay in full, and have them hold him if you really like him?

Sent from my ADR6410LVW using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DooLittle

I hope you find one you love! Boas are awesome. I don't know how you could not fall in love with them if you ever handled one. Neither of my kids have ever huffed or hissed. Maybe you could put a deposit, or pay in full, and have them hold him if you really like him?

Sent from my ADR6410LVW using Tapatalk 2

---

I like him, but I'm not sure the salmon with no blacks is it for me or not. Ideally I like the Colombians that look a bit like the Peruvian color scheme. I like the yellowish and the blacks like the one Morti posted pic #3 I think. Although that was a Peruvian. I don't mind some speckles either.

I'll have to see what comes around. Gus Rentrfro had a nice one but it sold. I think I'm just a little too far off to reserve anything right now. Once I get the cage I'll be set.

There is a reptile expo here April 27-28 however and I could score there too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gio

Not being nosy at all. I think because its a store they sell first come first serve. I think they would hold something for 30 days but I think my cage is still being made and I still have to get a thermostat. I want to be all set before I get anything. I can call and check, but my guess is they have to feed and maintain it for that much longer. Although for a boa 30 days could be 2 meals. The older snakes seem to cost more and I get it, as they have put more time into the animal.

I may call tomorrow. I think there are other fish in the see and I could find something I like just as much.

---

Ah, I didn't realize this was a store. That makes sense. They still might go 6 weeks if you paid half or full up front and explained your situation. That is, of course, if you decide this is the one. And, yes, there will always be one you like - boas are addictive and I bet you can't have just one!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gio

I like him, but I'm not sure the salmon with no blacks is it for me or not. Ideally I like the Colombians that look a bit like the Peruvian color scheme. I like the yellowish and the blacks like the one Morti posted pic #3 I think. Although that was a Peruvian. I don't mind some speckles either.

I'll have to see what comes around. Gus Rentrfro had a nice one but it sold. I think I'm just a little too far off to reserve anything right now. Once I get the cage I'll be set.

There is a reptile expo here April 27-28 however and I could score there too.

---

The expo will be a great place to see a lot! Only downside there is that if you do find one, you'll have to buy it right then. But you should have your cage by then too. BTW, a good t-stat is the Hyrdofarm off Amazon - it's only around $35 and really works. It's a great choice for someone on a budget and Amazon ships immediately. Order this weekend and you'll have it by Tuesday. :gj:

And here are a few hypos to tempt you..... :D

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/.../peaches03.jpg
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/.../peaches01.jpg
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...s/jasper06.jpg

"The expo will be a great place to see a lot! Only downside there is that if you do find one, you'll have to buy it right then. But you should have your cage by then too. BTW, a good t-stat is the Hyrdofarm off Amazon - it's only around $35 and really works. It's a great choice for someone on a budget and Amazon ships immediately. Order this weekend and you'll have it by Tuesday. "


I will probably go with a Herpstat II or I since I'm comfortable with them, I can't decide if I'll be OK with just one heat source as of yet.

Actually those boas look a lot like the guy I held yesterday. Salmons and hypos, while beautiful lack the black I like so I'm not sure if I should choose a snake based on color and pattern only, or add personality into the mix. BTW I like your snakes, just stating my color preference.

Soooo,, do you have any normals or BCI X BCC crosses that you have pictures of? I saw one of Tom Mccarthy's male crosses that I liked a lot. I'm not sure how I feel about mixing localities in the long run, but for a non breeding owner I would certainly be OK owning one.

Ooo I love this thread. Word to the wise if you love boas DON'T whatever you do pick up a Retic! :D It's a slippery slope.

I LOVE my boas. I like ball pythons for the paint jobs but once I had my first boa I was hooked. Sold or traded off almost all my ball pythons and now I keep mostly boas. As babies they tend to be more aggressive due to being nervous but seem to grow out of it nicely. You really cannot put them back at all, they will not allow it. All my boas have different personalities and I love them all for their own reasons. Here are some photos of the different ones I own.


My first Boa Kovu he is 7 months old and eating small rats, ready to move on to mediums soon.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...09208185_n.jpg


This is Kipling a Hog Island boa. They grow to about 6 feet (males are smaller) but are a good sized boa.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...97928367_n.jpg

Jasper an albino boa that was a rescue. He is sweet as can be and has has put on some much needed weight.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...34888877_n.jpg

Scribbles is a PC Aby. This gene isn't worked with all too much. Similar to the jungle pattern. I have a female hypo PC Aby coming next week that looks insanely impressive.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...30694459_n.jpg

I have a female hypo PC Aby coming next week that looks insanely impressive (picture by Designer Boa). Buddy Young makes some AMAZING animals and he is a great guy to work with.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...43177812_n.jpg

This is Freckles a normal female I got from a friend in a trade. She is very sweet and I love her light color.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...08956741_n.jpg

Crimson is a poss super hypo. She is a bit feisty and hits harder than any snake I have hands down. However she is sweet other than when in shed.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...85988564_n.jpg


I hope you enjoy your boa as much as you loved holding the one at the pet store. You have to post pictures once you finally have him/her home. I have a feeling it won't be your first or last :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gio

"The expo will be a great place to see a lot! Only downside there is that if you do find one, you'll have to buy it right then. But you should have your cage by then too. BTW, a good t-stat is the Hyrdofarm off Amazon - it's only around $35 and really works. It's a great choice for someone on a budget and Amazon ships immediately. Order this weekend and you'll have it by Tuesday. "


I will probably go with a Herpstat II or I since I'm comfortable with them, I can't decide if I'll be OK with just one heat source as of yet.

No worries! Herpstats are wonderful! But if you're on a budget, don't discount the Hydrofarm. This is a really good t-stat for a very low cost. Well worth picking one up to get you started, then get the Herpstat when you've got the money and use the Hydrofarm as your backup. :gj:

Actually those boas look a lot like the guy I held yesterday. Salmons and hypos, while beautiful lack the black I like so I'm not sure if I should choose a snake based on color and pattern only, or add personality into the mix. BTW I like your snakes, just stating my color preference.

Of course - a lot of people don't like hypos too well. Don't get a hypo if you don't like orange and pink, lol... No reason you shouldn't have a color preferance! That's the beauty of all the color varieties!

Soooo,, do you have any normals or BCI X BCC crosses that you have pictures of? I saw one of Tom Mccarthy's male crosses that I liked a lot. I'm not sure how I feel about mixing localities in the long run, but for a non breeding owner I would certainly be OK owning one.

No, ironically, I don't have a single normal. And no BCCs either. My only "normal" is my pure Argentine male, but he's a BCO, not a BCI. Here's a pic of him anyhow for comparison. ;)

---

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...Boas/Mojo2.jpg

And a close up for color....

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...s/Mojotail.jpg