need help choosing what to get next...

A six foot boa is a pretty manageable snake... for an adult. I wouldn't agree with the child part. Kinky is 6' long and I doubt that I would let a child hold her for any amount of time (and I'm talking 12 and under). It's all right if she's on the floor and kids are around, but she's a big, solid snake, and very strong, even with her condition. If they would get scared, or she would get scared, well... I just wouldn't trust it (my opinion).

Also, there are no guarentees as to how long a male boa will be get. Yes, you could keep a snake's size down if you don't feed him every week. He'll stay small. But why would you not want to feed your snake properly? A properly fed male boa (BCI) can be anywhere from 5-7 feet long. Even bigger sometimes (though not very often).

Hope this helps.

very much... thank you.

it just didn't sound right to me.

so this is correct regardling hog island boas?

Hog island boas are a smaller race of boa and only grow to about 5 feet for males, usually a bit less.

what size enclosure do they need as adults?

True it is! As adults, A 4 X 2 X 2 is sufficient in my opinion. They are awesome snakes and they go through very cool color changes based on the time of day. There are some good breeders out there so make sure you get a PURE Hog from one of them. I'm not a fan of the crossing of Hogs.

thanks jamie!

Recycling goddess, look no further......
This... (leucy rat snake) ......
http://snakeneggs.com/snakepics/Star%20coiled.jpg

...or this....(rosy boa)..only gets about three feet and super friendly!!!!
http://snakeneggs.com/snakepics/happy%20momma.jpg
...both are great snakes!!!!!

I agree even a large hog island would be fine in a 4' x 2' cage. They're awesome boas.. and not so common as a colombian BCI!

Rosy's (rosies?) are pretty darn neat. I held an adult rosy at the IRBA show we went to...very calm and "hi!" kind of snake. =)

so i realize this may be a stupid question but... what size enclosure will my male ball need when he's grown?

we actually really like rosy boas but everyone we've talked to said they are "boring" - i'm not sure why or how they could be... but i love the colours of the rosies. ;)

although i'm sitting here thinking... the kids don't REALLY need a family room... perhaps we can convert it to a snake room and get a RTB after all LOL (how big would a RTB enclosure be for an adult?) 12 sq ft is it?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I don't personally care for the look of rosy boas, but they are closely related to some of my favorite snakes.. sand boas! Far from boring.