How does one handle boas when they get big?

I have 5 Boas at this time, I'm 50. I'll deal with them accordingly. I take it one day at a time with them. I always have options for them as well.

I'm 47. I to will take it one day at a time with my snakes. Don't deny yourself something because of age. Young or old we are not guaranteed tomorrow. You can make arrangements for someone to take your snakes if need be. Boas are awesome. I always said I wouldn't get anything larger than a BP. I changed my mind and got me a Boa and I couldn't be more pleased with her.

I bought her when she was a little over a month old. She's growing slowly. For some crazy reason I thought she would be grown in no time :) just something to think about.

Thanks guys. I knew you would be supportive and I'll be looking into the boa's suggested. It's not that I want a big snake, it's that I want interesting pets. My corn snake is wonderful but hides all the time, only coming out to eat. My bp is fantastic. She's soooooo interesting and I have heard that boa's are even more so. I just want to be responsible and not get a pet that I can't take care of.

Just my personal opinion, I would stay away from Rainbow Boas as a first boa choice, I've heard they are way less forgiving of husbandry mistakes than other boa species. Dumerils might also be one to avoid, I've heard they don't get super long but get hefty. Male BCI's are a great choice for a first boa, I absolutely adore my female BCI, and there are tons of pretty morphs for them.

As for handling, they're usually very tame and more likely to want to "hang" with you, unlike BP's which are always seeming to want to run and hide. :P I've had my boa just chill around my shoulders for over an hour while I've surfed the web, she seems to enjoy my body heat and the view. :) The thing you would want to be careful of is when they get frightened or think they're going to fall or lose their grip, they will tighten their grip considerably. So a sub-adult or an adult boa is not something you want to just casually throw around your shoulders without thinking or if they're keyed up. Let them relax in your arms before you move them elsewhere.

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Originally Posted by enchantress62

Thanks guys. I knew you would be supportive and I'll be looking into the boa's suggested. It's not that I want a big snake, it's that I want interesting pets. My corn snake is wonderful but hides all the time, only coming out to eat. My bp is fantastic. She's soooooo interesting and I have heard that boa's are even more so. I just want to be responsible and not get a pet that I can't take care of.

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IF, you want to get a larger snake that isn't as boring you COULD get a male Burmese python. Ours is only about 6 feet, and even though I'm only turning 20 here soon, but I love our Burmese. He has his moments though, (only got him 2 months ago) If you want to get a larger snake that is more active there is a wide array, and not many people will recommend Burms for first time Large python owners because of the size they grow to, but I believe with ENOUGH RESEARCH and PREVIOUS experience with other pythons they can make awesome pets. Even if you were my age, if you're going to get a large constrictor you need to under that it is going to get "big" and you need another person. I will NEVER handle ours unless it is a emergency if my Fiancee is not present. There are alot of people who own Burms, Retics, and Anaconda's who understand there needs, but there also people who buy them, that shouldn't.

If you have another person who can help you with a larger python or boa and you understand the care requirements then go find yourself a new snake! no matter what it be.

Even though I don't own one I love the docility of RTB's and they get pretty big! Gotta love there tails to.

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Originally Posted by xFenrir

Just my personal opinion, I would stay away from Rainbow Boas as a first boa choice, I've heard they are way less forgiving of husbandry mistakes than other boa species. Dumerils might also be one to avoid, I've heard they don't get super long but get hefty. Male BCI's are a great choice for a first boa, I absolutely adore my female BCI, and there are tons of pretty morphs for them.

As for handling, they're usually very tame and more likely to want to "hang" with you, unlike BP's which are always seeming to want to run and hide. :P I've had my boa just chill around my shoulders for over an hour while I've surfed the web, she seems to enjoy my body heat and the view. :) The thing you would want to be careful of is when they get frightened or think they're going to fall or lose their grip, they will tighten their grip considerably. So a sub-adult or an adult boa is not something you want to just casually throw around your shoulders without thinking or if they're keyed up. Let them relax in your arms before you move them elsewhere.

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I already know I can't handle a snake over six feet long. I'm not strong enough and I mostly live alone. May I ask, what does BCI stand for? What husbandry issues are the rainbow's sensitive to? and What size food do they eat?

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Originally Posted by enchantress62

I already know I can't handle a snake over six feet long. I'm not strong enough and I mostly live alone. May I ask, what does BCI stand for? What husbandry issues are the rainbow's sensitive to? and What size food do they eat?

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I don't know what BCI stands for sorry but I have a pair of Brazilian Rainbow Boas they are really interesting snakes they require more humidity that's the big difference. All my snakes are on aspen except my Rainbows they have a thick layer or cypress mulch. They love to dig under the bedding and hide but as soon as you around they get really curious. Both of mine will poke out as soon as they hear me rumbling around in the snake room. They can be a bit more messy than the others though, they shed more and deficate more than my pythons and kings.

BCI means boa constrictor imperator. These stay smaller than their mainland relatives, the BCCs (boa constrictor constrictor).

Thanks everone for the info. I like the beauty of the rainbows but the hog nose is fascinating. I've never seen a snake with that kind of head before. Considering the special needs of the breed would you house it in an aquarium or a tub?

Hog Nose snakes are not boas. They are a colubrid species (like a corn snake) that stay quite small - males average only 1-2 feet and up to about 150grams or so and females can get up to 35" and up about to 250grams. 2 feet is the average length. They are, however, very interesting snakes and do make excellent pets! Many folks here adore their hoggies.

Dumeril boas make excellent first-time beginner boas. Their care is quite straight forward and they are extremely docile and gentle snakes and do not generally have feeding issues. They may be a bit heftier, but they are so gentle, its relatively easy to unwind them.

A columbian BCI is an awesome animal and not boring in the slightest. My 2 BCIs are totally interactive, curious, and love to be handled. But even the smaller males are every bit as strong as a Dumerils - if not stronger. Overall, they are a larger snake than a Dum. But their personalities are so great, I wouldn't give them up for anything!

Rainbow boas are also good - they are not really any more difficult to care for than any other boa. They do require a slightly higher humidity, but that is easy enough to address. And they can be nippy as babies, but so can so many other species and regular considerate handling should take care of that. And they do not tend to be as strong as a BCI or Dumerils. They are a lighter bodied snake as they are more arboreal in nature.

You've been given a few suggestions and, frankly, I don't think you'd go wrong with any of them. That's the beauty of having all these great species available to us - the choices are endless! ;)