Getting a BCI soon

I have decided to buy a BCI on Thursday. I already have a temporary quarantine 20gal tank, heat pad etc from when I switched my balls to tubs. Also I will be keeping the boa at my fathers house very far away from my balls for at least the three months of quarantine. I do know some basic boa care as I was looking into them before I got my first ball in January but I do not know nearly as much about them as ball pythons. I was thinking about one anyways, I have always wanted a boa even before I thought about a ball and they are amazing animals. But the U.S. python ban has pushed me over the edge into the boa world. Just in case it does get passed, i'd rather be safe than sorry and get one now, rather than regret not doing it when I can't. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. I will post plenty of pictures when I get him, and will include some of my new pastel you all have yet to see a good picture of :D

I'm doing the same thing Evan. lol. I found an Albino female BCI, 2 feet long on CL last night. Now, I'm totally against CL most of the time, but in the pics she looks really healthy. Obviously I would have to inspect her first and what not, but I'm totally going for it if my significant other will let me have it. :cool: :gj:

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Originally Posted by WarriorPrincess90

I'm doing the same thing Evan. lol. I found an Albino female BCI, 2 feet long on CL last night. Now, I'm totally against CL most of the time, but in the pics she looks really healthy. Obviously I would have to inspect her first and what not, but I'm totally going for it if my significant other will let me have it. :cool: :gj:

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Awesome! I could have gotten an albino BCI for around $100 from craigslist because this guy just really had to get rid of him, tank and all. But I was too late. And I am NOT paying over $200 for an albino from Critter Barn. I'll cruise craigslist on Thursday and see what I can find. But I love normals too and might even prefer them :)

Husbandry wise they are pretty similar to BPs except for needing more space when they are adults. I currently keep my little BCI in my BP rack, will have to upgrade her to a 4x2 enclosure in a year or so though.

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Originally Posted by evan385

Awesome! I could have gotten an albino BCI for around $100 from craigslist because this guy just really had to get rid of him, tank and all. But I was too late. And I am NOT paying over $200 for an albino from Critter Barn. I'll cruise craigslist on Thursday and see what I can find. But I love normals too and might even prefer them :)

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Yeah, I wanted a Sharp Albino, but I don't have the cash for one right now, nor can I find any available. The guy I wanted to buy from was asking a ridiculous price for an 09. And the CL guy seems to have no clue about that albinos genetics. He was calling her het Anery and het coral. Yeah right. I think I might look at getting a nice normal, or possibly ordering the Hypo Jungle het Lav Albino from boasandballs that I saw and loved immediately. I just need a month or so to get the enclosure set up, or just go ahead and get the rack for my BPs and use one of those tanks. Either way though, I know I want a female. And if I can still buy one in two years, I'll get her a male then. :gj:

Keep in mind that if Boa Constrictors are added to the ban you will not be able to leave the state with them legally. Think in terms of college and future employment. I am about to graduate from college and in all likelihood any job I find (assuming it's still possible to find a job with a college degree) will be out of state. I have 3 boas that could make moving difficult if they are added to the Lacey Act along with the 4 current species.

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Originally Posted by FkNdRk

Husbandry wise they are pretty similar to BPs except for needing more space when they are adults. I currently keep my little BCI in my BP rack, will have to upgrade her to a 4x2 enclosure in a year or so though.

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So if I get a baby then how long can I keep her in a 20 long?

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Originally Posted by WarriorPrincess90

Yeah, I wanted a Sharp Albino, but I don't have the cash for one right now, nor can I find any available. The guy I wanted to buy from was asking a ridiculous price for an 09. And the CL guy seems to have no clue about that albinos genetics. He was calling her het Anery and het coral. Yeah right. I think I might look at getting a nice normal, or possibly ordering the Hypo Jungle het Lav Albino from boasandballs that I saw and loved immediately. I just need a month or so to get the enclosure set up, or just go ahead and get the rack for my BPs and use one of those tanks. Either way though, I know I want a female. And if I can still buy one in two years, I'll get her a male then. :gj:

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Good luck! Hope you can get her soon and I really hope they don't get banned. But i'm taking precautions just in case they do, I really love BCIs and I would hate to not be able to get one later on down the road.

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Originally Posted by AndrewGeibel

Keep in mind that if Boa Constrictors are added to the ban you will not be able to leave the state with them legally. Think in terms of college and future employment. I am about to graduate from college and in all likelihood any job I find (assuming it's still possible to find a job with a college degree) will be out of state. I have 3 boas that could make moving difficult if they are added to the Lacey Act along with the 4 current species.

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I know I know. For now they have removed Red Tail Boas from the list to be banned. If I have to get a permit to move states or even out of this country then I will take the necessary steps but I will not be stuck here and I will not give up any of my pets. I will be here for the next four years while i'm in school, so I have a lot of time to think about how I will resolve that issue if it the ban comes into affect. If they actually put an outright ban on reptiles that I want or try to seize any of mine I will leave this country. This country is going to crap and they are throwing our rights out the window. The government owns this country and if you don't believe that you're just fooling yourself.

Not to promote other sites because I love bp.net all the way, but if you check out redtailboa.net, you'll find more than enough info to get you going. Also talk to Morti over ther on a good deal for a great boa.

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Originally Posted by evan385

So if I get a baby then how long can I keep her in a 20 long?

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My male is just over a year old, maybe a year and a half and already needs more than a 20 long.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

My male is just over a year old, maybe a year and a half and already needs more than a 20 long.

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Okay thank you! I'll be switching her to a tub and bringing her home from my father's house after her six month quarantine. What size tub do you recommend? I want to get something a bit bigger that she can grow into :)

I started mine in a 34 qt.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

I started mine in a 34 qt.

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Okay great. About what age would I need to go to a bigger size than the 34 qt? Or should I say what length that might be easier. What size tub will I need when she is an adult? Do they make anything bigger than the 11" heat tape? If not will I need two feet of heat tape for her adult tub?

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Originally Posted by evan385

Okay great. About what age would I need to go to a bigger size than the 34 qt? Or should I say what length that might be easier. What size tub will I need when she is an adult? Do they make anything bigger than the 11" heat tape? If not will I need two feet of heat tape for her adult tub?

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I'd say at about 1000 grams you should switch to something bigger. Some enjoy stretching out and relaxing,in that case I'd switch over sooner. All mine does is hide so I kept him in the 34 qt for longer :rolleyes: I think 11" is the biggest size flexwatt. Not sure how large the tubs get, just go up the sizes when needed. I'm paying off a PVC enclosure for my guy so hopefully he won't be in tubs much longer.