Serious consideration...

So I keep ball pythons, which people know are considered "smaller" species, which is one of the reasons why I love them. For some reason lately I see RTBs and I just LOVE them. They look so awesome and have some great patterns, and are just gorgeous in every way. Obviously, my only issue is with how big they get. I know when I see a full grown female ball python they don't "seem" all that big, but if you tell someone "oh she's 5 feet" their jaws drop and think it's huge! Does anyone have any pictures of full grown RTB, male or female, maybe in relation to them or someone else? I really only every see pictures of the younger, smaller ones and I want to be 100% prepared before I commit to such a large snake. It probably won't happen for a while, I'm now just at the curiosity stage I guess. Please feel free to share pictures of all kinds :)
Thanks!

I am in the same boat. I researched the BP's and went to a petstore and got attached to a RTB so I will be getting him (already been probed for me) next week. He was real active and in a good mood when I had him and the people at the store said he's normally not like that when they or someone else handles him. Could be saying that to get me to buy him but theres a bond there I think. So my research changed to the RTB's and I'll post pics up once I get him home.

Yeah, I still absolusely love my ball pythons to pieces, and I am planning of getting more, I have just been considering getting just one RTB, I'd love to see pics when you get him, congrats :)

Lol, I'm in the same boat and doing research to see how plausible it would be to get one in a few years. They are absolutely beautiful. I hope someone does have pictures with an adult...I have a hard time picturing an 8-foot snake in my head

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I had the same dilemma, until I discovered Boa Constictor Amarali.
I recommend a South Brazilian BCA. BCC looks in a manageable 5-6 foot package.
Mine is a little over two years old, and a really nice size. His parents were both under 6 feet, so he's likely topping out now in size at a slender but very strong 5'9"
I got mine from Millerreptiles.com (Barry Miller) http://http://www.millerreptiles.com...ns/Sobraz.htmlhttp://i.ugtz.com/albums/Snakes/IMG_5906_001.sized.jpg

Thank you for the picture! I just love how they look. BTW your link wouldn't work for me..

whoops..sorry about that.
This work?
www.millerreptiles.com

Yes thank you :)

This obviously isn't me, but this is a 7' RTB.
http://www.crittertalesinc.com/siteb...ctures/boa.jpg

Here is one, but all I can get is the link. This one is 8'.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10905173@N07/3148631783

The length of the snake isn't mentioned, but nevertheless, this is a huge snake in my opinion. Things gotta be at least 10'.
http://www.mccarthyboas.com/images/B...LBS_11Feet.jpg

But like fishmommy said, you can go for a smaller kind of Boa and that would probably be your best bet. :)

If size is the only holdback for you, then go with a dwarf boas. There are many dwarfs that stay close to the same size as adult ball pythons. Nicaraguan boas, for example, would be a good option. Males stay around 3.5 feet and females 5.

Well that's pretty cool I didn't know they had smaller versions....any pictures of the nicaraguan boas? I googled it but they look very similar if not the same as the columbians etc.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Well that's pretty cool I didn't know they had smaller versions....any pictures of the nicaraguan boas? I googled it but they look very similar if not the same as the columbians etc.

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Here is a pic of my Nicarguan BCI. It was taken with a cell phone cam so please excuse the somewhat crappy pic. She will be 2 in June and is 4 feet 1 inches long. I don't remember her weight.


http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/y...o/3e4f3ea2.jpg

Yes, there are many different types that stay failry small, much smaller than Colombians. Here is a pic of one of my adult gravid females. She is in a 41 quart tub for comparision.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...-24-19_488.jpg

Aw thanks everyone, they are awesome too. I might have to look into all this further...

I am in the same boat, the size of the Columbian red tail intimidates me, but I have decided that I will be getting a Hoggs Island as they don't get nearly as large. And I love the speckling on them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Well that's pretty cool I didn't know they had smaller versions....any pictures of the nicaraguan boas? I googled it but they look very similar if not the same as the columbians etc.

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Check out Rio Bravo Reptiles and check out the locality boas.

There are several localities (sonoran desert, tarahumara, cay caulker, corn island, crawl cay, etc.) that are all red-tail, but in a much smaller package.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Check out Rio Bravo Reptiles and check out the locality boas.

There are several localities (sonoran desert, tarahumara, cay caulker, corn island, crawl cay, etc.) that are all red-tail, but in a much smaller package.

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I love this site, thank you for the suggestion.

i had a hogg island boa for about 7 years. she was huge for her species but super gentle. im sure i have some pics somewhere i can dig up.

when i stopped working at the zoo i donated her to thier educational group. she had the perfect personality for that kind of stuff. she seemed to love to be handled.

Here is a photo of my Costa Rican, who also stays in the 5'-7' range. Currently, he is about 3.5 feet and 2 years old.

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...t/HPIM0694.jpg

The rest of this post is a "canned reply" that I made up to help those who may be looking for info or doing research on boas. You can use what you want and disregard the rest....

Red Tail Boas are classified as follows:

Boa Constrictor Constrictor (BCC)- These are the "true red tails." These are generally the largest in size and maintain their red tails into adulthood. They come from:
Peru
Brazil
Venezuela
Suriname
Guyana

Boa Constrictor Imperator (BCI)- This is the largest group of boa constrictors. With the exception of the Colombian, this group of boas normally average 5-7 feet in length, and includes the boas from Central America:
Colombia (Largest in size of the BCI's)
Panama
Costa Rica
Nicaraqua
Mexico: Tamaulipas, Tarahumara
and the insular islands:
Hogg Island
Caulker Cay
Crawl Cay
Corn Island

Boa Constrictor Amarali (BCA)- Bolivian boa constrictors

Boa Constrictor Longicauda (BCL)- These come from the Tumbes region of Peru. They are also known as the Peruvian Long-tail Boa, as they have a higher scale count from their vent to tail tip, than the Peruvian BCC.

Boa Constrictor Occidentalis (BCO)- Argentine boa constrictors.

Boa Constrictor Sabogae (BCS)- Pearl Island boa constrictors

As well as, some of the lesser known sub-species:

Boa Constrictor Nebulosa- Dominican Republic, Lesser Antilles
Boa Constrictor Orophias- St. Lucia
Boa Constrictor Melanogaster- Ecuador Black Belly

It is best to research each of these, as they have different sizes, colorings, and growth rates. Here are a few websites to help you get started, where the different sub-species of Boa Constrictor are discussed and described:

http://www.boa-constrictors.com/com/com.html

http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/contactinformation/

http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/index.htm

Physical Differences:

-Saddle Shape: Generally the BCI saddles will have a rounder apearance, looking something like this: ( ) ( ) ( ), whereas the BCC saddles generally have an apex in the saddles, much like this: { } { } { }. While this is a good marker, it is not always reliable.

-Head Shape: The head shape between BCC and BCI may be hard to detect in neonates, but from about 1 year in age, the differences become more apparent. The BCC generally have less pronounced jaw muscles, giving the head a more slender, longer, or uniformly tapered appearance, with a more pointed shaped nose. Also, the size of the head will appear larger in relation to the size of the body in the neck area. The BCI generally has more pronounced jaw muscles and a more blunt or broader looking nose, giving the head a shorter appearance. Also the BCI head will appear smaller in relation to the size of the body in the neck area.

-Scale Count: Scale count is another indicator of Boa type, however, since alot of the numbers overlap, it should not be relied on solely. Scale count + Head shape is the most accurate method of determining the type of Boa that you have. If you are looking for a specific locale of BCC or BCI, the easiest way to ensure that you are getting what you want is to buy from a reputable breeder who will guarantee the genetics.
Here is a chart that was posted on another forum with some basic scale and saddle counts. I left the authors name in the post so that he can recieve credit:

Quote:

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Here are the scale counts for you.

BCC
scale counts - 75 to 95 dorsal rows.
227 to 250 ventrals.
49 to 62 subcaudals.
Average 15 to 21 saddles.

BCI
scale counts - 56 to 79 dorsal rows.
225 to 253 ventrals.
47 to 65 subcaudals.
Average 22 to 30 saddles.

BCA ( Amaral Boa)
scale counts - 71 to 79 dorsal rows.
226 to 237 ventrals.
43 to 52 subcaudals.
Average 22 saddles.

BCL (Longicauada)
scale counts - 60 to 76 dorsal rows.
243 to 247 ventrals.
50 to 67 subcaudals.
Average 19 to 21 saddles.

BCO (Occidentalis)
scale counts - 65 to 87 dorsal rows.
242 to 251 ventrals.
45 subcaudals.
Average 22 to 30 saddles.


Take care
Tom

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For those who are doing research or looking for care info, the following links are to the different sections of "The Ultimate Boa Constrictor Care Guide" by Clay English:

http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/part...ew-line-40589/
http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/part...-online-40590/
http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/part...-online-40591/
http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/emer...-online-40594/
http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/feed...ew-line-40593/
http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/inst...-online-40592/

You can also download the entire guide in PDF format free by going to this link and registering:

http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/down...ion-3-a-31312/

Also, here is a fairly in-depth article by Gus Rentfro, Rio Bravo Reptiles, on Boa Constrictor care:

http://www.redtailboa.net/forums/sna...tail-boas.html

Hopefully, all of these links and info will help those doing research, or the keeper who is just looking for some additional resources and info...

-Vypyrz-

Males BCI's dont even get too big. Females get much bigger. Either one you go with i would get a male, rather than a female if ur worried about size. Or u could get a female and keep her for a few years, who knows maybe u will breed her one year :D

I'm in the same situation! I'm new to the hobby. Started with BP's and now have added Colubrids. I know none of my snakes will get too big. But, I love the look of the Albino RTB. I'm thinking about getting a female just as a pet. But, I know if I do I'll end up getting a male to breed with her. Also, now that I'm about to be retire from the Army. I know the house I'm getting will have room for many animals. Plus, I just got another rack system. So, I have all my babies in like the area of 2 dressers. But, I want a NICE visual cage if I get a Albino RTB......

I hope to have a litter of albinos and sunglows soon.
The prego female is my biggest boa. She's just under 6 feet.
Size was what held me back also. I did plenty of reading, etc. Then got started.
I think boas, BCI and BCC, make excellent pet snakes. If you get a central american BCI, I don't think you will have a size problem.
Do the home work and I think that you would love to have a boa as a pet.