Dumerils, BRB, Columbian or other?

Thanks that's helpful.

Im just not looking forward to paying 300-400.000 on a hognose. I have a problem with buying things over the internet and specially reptiles. So i guess im looking more into the size of the hognose so i don't have a real heavy snake to lug in and out of the cage. I would like a snake with the temper of a BCI and that wouldn't need a 8' cage when adult. And i also heard that IJC are great pythons but tend to need to be handled often is this true and if no would you recommend one for me since i am looking for a med. thickness snake. Thanks sorry but would you take a pic of your hognose and your JCP and the enclosures thanks

You mean hogg island, not hognose. ;)

Even a big colombian won't need an 8' cage.. 6' is plenty.

Hogg islands can be had for less than $300-400.. I think babies go for $150-200.

Ok where could i find a good breeder of a Hogg Island Boa, it's just i hate seeing a snake with nose rub when they are in a small enclosure, and if i do get a boa it's going to be in a *Christmas* tub. I would love to find a nice Hogg

Uhm.. search kingsnake and fauna for ads. There's usually a number of them. Or wait a year and get one from me. :P

I think your best bet is to go with the brazillian rainbow boa, they only get between4-7 feet and they are slender but you should do lots of reaserch on them first.

dummerils get really big.they are also the strongest boa. you will find that out the hard way if you get a wild or agrassive one!

$nake$ - just because I said I think dums are very strong, doesn't mean they are the 'strongest boa'. :) If you start with a baby, or even a well tamed adult, dums are awesome snakes. Most tame very easily and their husbandry requirements are not difficult.

The problem with the BRB is their strict temperature and humidity requirements.

Most JCP's, Dumerils, BRB's and Hogs can live their adult lives in a 4X2 enclosure. Larger specimens of Dumerils and Hogs may need a 6X2, but again these snakes are exceptions and not the rule. Also keep in mind they only get as large as you feed them.

Feed them weekly and keep increasing size of prey from small/med/large/Jumbo rats/small rabbits/larger rabbits and sure you could end up with a 8-9ft Dumeril and as fat as a pig. Feed an adult a large rat every 2-3 weeks and you'll have a healthy 5-6ft Dumeril or Hog for many many years.

If you are looking for a smaller Dumeril, Hog or JCP, go with a male and keep their meals at medium rats every two weeks. You'll have a slender (compared to the females) 5ft-6ft snake that will have almost too much space in a 4X2 cage.

IJC are smaller than JCP's, since I've never owned one I won't give you much advise on them. Accept they are similar to JCP's in care from what I understand.

Here were some of our adult JCP's before selling them last year.
This was one of our adult girls, 6-7ft is about as large as they get on average:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/IMG_1106.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC00140.jpg

Here is an adult male JCP, this is your average sized male, may get a little thicker. They can get a tad larger, but not much more 5-6ft and they stay slim compared to the girls.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC00513.jpg

Here is a threesome during breeding season:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC00530.jpg


Most Dumerils, I won't say ALL, but most Dumerils are the most docile/calmest/tamest boas you'll ever own. From birth these snakes rarely bite or strike unless provoked or mishandled. Hogs, BRB's, and JCP's are nippy at first, but quickly calm down with regular handling.

You can find Hogs, BRB's, JCP's and Dumerils on classifieds anywhere from $100-$300 and up to $400-$500 for some specimens of JCP's and Hogs. Which ever you decide on, do your homework on the snake as well as the breeder/seller.

Good luck!

*edit* Oh shoot, I just could read the links April has in this thread. Ah well, good exercise for me. Some of this is hard to wrap my head around. =P

Okay, I wanna sum up what I've read here and other places to make sure I've got most of the information correct. Please correct my mistakes!

Boa constrictor imperator (BCI), aka Red tail. Mostly originated from Columbia, but can also be from various other South American countries (read some debate over at www.boa-constrictors.com). Normals are generally the most common and therefore the least expensive babies. Males grow to 6-7ft ish, females to 7-9ft ish, depending on husbandry and amount/regularity of feeding. Can be great snakes if properly husbanded (is that a word?) and pretty good for a "beginner larger snake" (assuming owner is not a complete snake noob).

Babies are generally gray with dark reddish/brown saddles and deep red, white and black tails. Changes color with age (right?) to a sandy taupe, brown saddles and reddish brown coloration on the tail...?

Guyana, Surinam red tails. Same as BCI, but known for different colors?

(NOTE: This is the part I'm really confused on and I haven't seen anything particular definitive and lots of conflicting information between either slightly different species or or that they are just slightly different colors).

Boa constrictor constrictor (BCC), aka "true red tails". Orginates from Columbia, generally bigger dudes than BCI's, may not generally have the same great attitude as BCI. Not as common as BCI, so a bit more expensive. Not necessarily a good larger snake for beginners.

Brazillian rainbow boa (BRB). Orginates from Brazil! Known as rainbow because of their iridescent skin. Size is approximately the same as the BCI to a bit smaller. Great disposition, but very strict on temps and husbandry, so also perhaps not a good larger beginner snake. Not as common as BCI, so usually a bit more expensive.

Hogg or Hog Island boa. Um, colors range in the yellows to light browns. Great disposition and size comparable to the BRB? Not as common as BCI, so usually a bit more expensive. From Cayo de los Cochinos, an Island off the north coast of Honduras. Pretty good for a "beginner larger snake".

Dumeril's. Incredible symmetrical pattern, size comparable to the BCI, although usually a heavier/stockier snake. Great disposition, pretty good for a "beginner larger snake".

You're getting there, Cassandra. A few mistakes that I will point out.

BCI - it's not that most are from colombia, it's just that the most common in the pet trade are colombian BCI. hog island boas are also BCI, as are nicaraguan boas and central american boas. A few others are also BCI. Guyanan and Surinam are NOT bci, they are BCC.

BCC - colombian BCC are not common at all in the pet trade. Much more comon are Surinam, Guyana, and Peruvian.

BRB - they are quite a bit smaller than BCI. 6' is the normal limit, and they are much more slender than a mature BCI. I wouldn't classify them as a 'large' snake, but I would not reccomend them to a beginner because of their strict husbandry requirements. BRB are quite common and inexpensive. There are other localities of rainbow boa other than brazilian such as Argentine and Colombian rainbow boas.

Hog island - as mentioned before, are BCI. These are thought to be extinct in the wild. Colors are muted some are high orange. Often they exhibit reduced pattern. I don't know about the 'average' hog island, but mine is a bit bratty. She doesn't bite, but she is a talker!

Dumerils - you're about right there. Dums rock!!!