How does one handle boas when they get big?

I want to get a boa but I'm a little intemidated by their size when they grow up. I'm 49 yrs old and I read that they can live up to 40 yrs. That would make me 89 trying to handle an 8 - 10 foot snake. lol I'm only in the research phase but would really like to hear what you all think about boas as pets. Is it practicle for me to even consider getting one? Right now I have a corn snake and a bp neither of which will get too big to handle.

You could go for the insular boas. Hog Island boas don't get all that big.

I would like to hear peoples opinions on this subject as well. I want to get a Burm or an Anaconda one day but the thought of handleing a 10+ monster is overwelming and a scary thought. I collect all Colubrids but i want to have atleast 1 big snake sometime in the future.

are you set on Boas?


Ball pythons only get about half the size mentioned.

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Originally Posted by enchantress62

I want to get a boa but I'm a little intemidated by their size when they grow up. I'm 49 yrs old and I read that they can live up to 40 yrs. That would make me 89 trying to handle an 8 - 10 foot snake. lol I'm only in the research phase but would really like to hear what you all think about boas as pets. Is it practicle for me to even consider getting one? Right now I have a corn snake and a bp neither of which will get too big to handle.

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you could always get a columbian rainbow boa because not only are they gorgeous they also only get to between 3.5-6 ft.

If you are set on boas are you talking about any boa? I have a pair of Rainbow boas my male is about 6 feet long but not to thick where you have trouble handling him. If you are not planning on breeding any boas as well I would say get a male since they "usually" stay smaller than females. I say "usually" since you always have those exceptions.

If you really want a long snake up to 8-10ft and not as massive in weight as a boa I would look at the olive python just my opinion they are a snake on my list for that reason.

If you are set on a columbian BCI, I would recommend a male. They don't get as large as the females and tend to stay 5-7 ft.

Otherwise, a hog island bci or a rainbow boa are excellent choices. So are dumeril boas - they make wonderful pets!

If you really want a giant boa, you will have to be responsible and plan for the future. There are options other than an overburdened rescue. Perhaps you have a child or nephew/ niece that you can "train" to one day take your snake once you reach an age that keeping larger snakes is not practical. Just a thought...

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Originally Posted by Dragon Rider

are you set on Boas?


Ball pythons only get about half the size mentioned.

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Or you could buy a boa that gets about the same size as a ball python.

boas are great, but i have a feeling that when theyre that big, they might be handling you lol, mines just a baby (columbian BCI), but she already has her own agenda when it comes to being handled, its quite hard to get her to do things she doesnt want to do, dont get me wrong, shes wonderful and and a sweetheart and i wouldnt give her up for the world. also, and this is just what ive heard, but i hear alot more people say that they live for 15-20 years than say 40. anyway, like evenstar said, male bci's stay relatively small, and hog islands are even a bit smaller. another species in that size range if your interested is the carpet python, i believe some localities stay at about 6feet, so you might want to look in to those too

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! ;)

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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!

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You are absolutely right. I will be looking up the various brands suggested and visiting my local reptile store to handle the different types before purchasing. Does anyone know of a breeder in Arizona that sells boas?

dumerils, hog islands, and cay caulkers are all good choices for a stay small boa. Rainbow boas are a good choice as well but don't have the traditional look of a boa constrictor.

Pearl Islands too.

From what I've heard Tarahumara mountain boas don't grow over 5 feet most stay around 4. Then again these are not very common either.

Sent from my DROIDX

Don't know of any specific breeders in AZ. Sorry. But if you can wait til the weather warms a bit, Tim Koppenhoffer from Special K Reptiles is fantastic to work with. He'll talk to anyone anytime with questions or concerns and he's very knowledgable and kind. I can't think of anyone better to get a first boa from. Both my babies came from him and both transactions were fabulous and the snakes are in perfect health and condition. Just a thought.... :gj:

:8: at 89, alls i can hope for holding is my bowels,,, hahahahahahahaha.
calling it like i see it
spooky

Check out
http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/

Lots of great info.
Top notch animals.

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Originally Posted by notmyfault

From what I've heard Tarahumara mountain boas don't grow over 5 feet most stay around 4. Then again these are not very common either.

Sent from my DROIDX

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There are a ton of dwarf boas that usually do not grow over five feet. Tarahumara Mountain Boa are just one of them.

I have handled boas from babies, to 9 ft Colombians, and a few bcc boas over 10ft.... I have not really ever had any problems handling them, I would recommend a good snake hook because sometimes they can be persnickety about coming out of the cage. Never been around one that wasnt a puppy out of the cage

Okay here's an update. I called the reptile store I frequent and talked with a guy about my interest and fears. He was so nice. We agreed to meet on Friday and he's going to show me the different species they carry and work on husbandry and handling questions and concerns. For anyone interested, it's called Arizona Reptile Center on Dobson and Broadway.

Look up Tom Pecanic...I believe he's right in Scottsdale and breeds boas. I've never dealt with him, but everything I've heard makes it sound like he is top notch. He also breeds rosy boas which are a fun little alternative.

There are many other snakes that fit the bill as to what you're looking for. I had an australian brown water python for a while, and that thing was possibly the most pleasantly fascinating snake I've ever owned. Very interactive and personable as far as snakes go, very easily handled, and they stay a very manageable size...I think males top out around 5 feet and are relatively slim bodied.

As someone stated before you might want to look into carpet pythons. They are far more active than ball pythons and come in many sizes. Even the largest 9-12 foot coastal carpet pythons are slender bodied which makes them much lighter/handleable.

Thanks for the info. I googled Tom Pecanic and found his face book pg. I'll be contacting him for sure. I have a lot to do before bringing a new friend home but I intend to shop around. I don't want to make the same mistakes I made when I brought my bp home. I would rather be prepared and the first step is education, so again, thanks.