Locality boas for beginners?

I've done quite a bit of research and mulling over what I would like out of a snake recently, and now part of me is considering getting a smaller boa versus a ball python as a first snake. I'm particularly interested in the various locality boas given that many stay within my preferred size range (4-6 feet), have fascinating natural histories, and are generally just gorgeous.

I was wondering if the locality keepers here would be willing to give their opinion on different localities' suitability for beginners. I'm mostly concerned with temperament and tractability. I've heard mixed things about certain localities' temperaments (particularly for Mexican boas), so I was wondering what peoples' actual experiences were. I'm most interested in BCL's, though Venezuelan BCC's and male Brazilian BCA's are also on my short(ish) list. I'd love to hear about all the other localities, though. I'm committing to my snake for their full life span when I bring them home, so I want to make sure that they're "the one." :)

If your looking for a small snake with good temperament a Rosy Boa might be a good choice. I have one paid for already and just awaiting shipment. If that’s not your cup of tea I’ve had friends that have owned RTB but those are kind of big for me personally and their temperament has been mixed. They were really awesome snakes though and the one my friend loved being handled.


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I keep Tarahumaras (dwarf Mexican locality) and while nippy as babies they do grow out of it with gentle and consistent handling.

IMO they would make a better first snake than a ball python as they're a bit more forgiving of husbandry mistakes, and they don't tend to go off food just because you look at them cross-eyed from the next room.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

...... than a ball python as they're a bit more forgiving of husbandry mistakes, and they don't tend to go off food just because you look at them cross-eyed from the next room.

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This statement is so true......and funny!!! I remember going to my 1st reptile show looking for a BP and a Boa breeder tried to talk me into getting a BOA and I wanted nothing to do with it. Times have changed and it's such a relief when it's feeding night for the BOA and not the BP.

Tarahumara are a great option! They are really hardy and I keep them cooler than the other imperator boas & they are perfectly healthy. My 3 yr olds are only about 3ft or so.
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Originally Posted by bcr229

... and they don't tend to go off food just because you look at them cross-eyed from the next room.

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Ha! Yeah, the "Princess and the Pea"-ness of some ball pythons is a reason why I'm considering an alternate first snake. I would like to keep one at some point, but there's something to be said about starting out with a snake with a slightly stronger feeding response.

On the topic of Mexican boas: Tarahumeras have been on and off my list. They're gorgeous snakes (yours look great, chip07!) and definitely something I'd feel comfortable handling for decades to come. Part of me wonders if one would be "enough" snake, though, and whether I'd be wishing that I'd went with something larger a couple of years down the road. I've heard that the Tamaulipas boas get a bit longer with considerably more girth, so part of me is considering one of those. [The fact that Vin Russo just had a litter and visits by a nearby expo may also be a contributing factor ;)].

Does anyone here keep a Tamaulipas or otherwise know anything about them? It sounds like some breeders are only on F1 or F2, so I'm not sure they'd be as "tamed down" as some of the other Mexican localities.

Bcl are really nice, I have a nice pair that are 3.5yrs old, the female is under 5ft and the male is under 4ft, I love them and they so calm and chilled, great eaters too like most boas
There's such different colours from each other, they change do much too
The female is pretty silver and black where the male is black with gold saddles
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...09960e15cf.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...35f38866b1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9bd67a50ef.jpg

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Those are both stunning, though I really like the look of the male.

Your BCLs are beautiful Richard! I really love your Mama Quilla; her pattern is exactly what I'm looking for in a BCL. If you had to guess, how big will your BCLs be by the time they reach their final(ish) adult size? Part of me is leaning towards a female BCL if I go that route, but I'd rather not have a snake that's significantly over six feet for ease of housing and finding a willing snake-sitter.

Since this post is about localities I figured I would ask here. Are Tarahumara Semi-Arboreal?