Thinking about getting my first RTB?

Hi! My local reptile show is currently coming up soon. I am debating on what I want to get this year. I have really wanted to purchase a RTB. I probably will pick up a baby RTB. I wanted to know how long does it take for them to reach a size when you got to purchase a customized cage? My other concern is I have 2 cats, and 3 dogs, and an 18 month year old niece. Do you think I should be concern if I properly feed, and make sure its enclosure is probably set up? Also baby/juveniles can be housed in a glass enclosure until they reach a certain length correct?

It took my male to reach his second birthday or so for him to need to move into his 4' viv, though snakes grow at different rates: my roughly 2 year old female is still fine in her tub. Always be prepared to have the space for your viv, but you shouldn't need one within your boa's first year, at least.

As long as your enclosure is secure I wouldn't worry about your pets/niece; your snake isn't going to go out and hunt them. Just make sure you don't overfeed your boa as it's unhealthy for them.

Yes, babies can be housed in tanks but I'd look into tub setups.

Thank you for all the helpful feedback!
As of right now I am debating whether I want a RTB, Blue Tongue Skink, or another Ball Python :confusd:
I wish I could purchase them all:D

Also do you need more than one person to help you handle a fully grown RTB?

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Originally Posted by Druzy

Thank you for all the helpful feedback!
As of right now I am debating whether I want a RTB, Blue Tongue Skink, or another Ball Python :confusd:
I wish I could purchase them all:D

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I'd have to go with the boa, but I'm sure any would be great additions. You can't go wrong with a nice Colombian, or any CA/dwarf boas, or any of the BCC localities.

Boas have so much personality, curiosity and they get a manage size without being HUGE. They say that handling any snake over 6 foot you should have someone else around. In case things get out of hand. I had 6 balls before getting a boa and I don't regret it at all. If you are wanting a smaller one, get a male. They stay smaller. Good luck.


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I am planning on getting a male to start off with. The only thing is no one in my family likes snakes, so I won't have a buddy watch me handle my RTB when he gets larger.
Anyone have any suggestions?

If you get a baby you will probly have between 1.5-2 years before he's big enough to worry about that.


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Do you want to get a true rtb. They do get large but reasonably manageable if your are used to them.

I would suggest starting out with a BCI. And if you get a male they stay pretty small maybe 4-5 foot. Along with a reasonable size there are a lot of different morphs to choose from too.

It will take 2-3 years for a baby to reach anywhere near the 6ft mark, so if you want to get a RTB baby I'd say you wouldn't need someone else to spot you for a good amount of time. Even more so if you get a BCI rather than a BCC (or "true" Red Tail) My BCI girl is at the 6ft range and even though I have someone close by just in case, she's very laid back and I've never really run into any REAL danger. I just believe in the motto "better safe than sorry". Even if your family isn't fond of snakes, I'm sure they would help you if you called for them. As for my girl, as long as she feels properly supported, she's more than happy to wrap herself around my waist and hang out around my shoulders, and "taste" anything nearby. I just have to be careful if I'm sitting down because she likes to wander off, and her reach is pretty far.

They're very curious snakes and they make a great introduction into the larger constrictors. They're usually very even-tempered (babies that are hissy are usually all show, and calm down with regular handling), are GREAT feeders and their requirements are very close to Ball Pythons. You just need to be prepared (for one day down the line) being able to provide an enclosure that could be up to 6ft in length! Just be prepared to eventually care for a decent-sized constrictor that will be eating large/jumbo rats.

For reference, my girl and I. I'm around 5'4" (and pretty tiny lol). Each snake is different, and you should adjust your handling accordingly to how it acts and how safe you feel. :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5.../Photo0604.jpg

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Originally Posted by xFenrir

It will take 2-3 years for a baby to reach anywhere near the 6ft mark, so if you want to get a RTB baby I'd say you wouldn't need someone else to spot you for a good amount of time. Even more so if you get a BCI rather than a BCC (or "true" Red Tail) My BCI girl is at the 6ft range and even though I have someone close by just in case, she's very laid back and I've never really run into any REAL danger. I just believe in the motto "better safe than sorry". Even if your family isn't fond of snakes, I'm sure they would help you if you called for them. As for my girl, as long as she feels properly supported, she's more than happy to wrap herself around my waist and hang out around my shoulders, and "taste" anything nearby. I just have to be careful if I'm sitting down because she likes to wander off, and her reach is pretty far.

They're very curious snakes and they make a great introduction into the larger constrictors. They're usually very even-tempered (babies that are hissy are usually all show, and calm down with regular handling), are GREAT feeders and their requirements are very close to Ball Pythons. You just need to be prepared (for one day down the line) being able to provide an enclosure that could be up to 6ft in length! Just be prepared to eventually care for a decent-sized constrictor that will be eating large/jumbo rats.

For reference, my girl and I. I'm around 5'4" (and pretty tiny lol). Each snake is different, and you should adjust your handling accordingly to how it acts and how safe you feel. :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5.../Photo0604.jpg

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Very nice.... Oh and the snake.

As a experienced boa constrictor breeder, she nailed it on the head.

Personally right behind my SD REtics my boas are my favorite snakes..... I love their personalities..... I do have several other pets (birds, cats, dogs, ect and 3 kids) I dont really ever worry about my boas getting out (but all are housed in racks or 4ft locking cages). I do love my boas, but one thing to keep in mind is size.... I know it doesnt happen often but recently a good friend of mine (I have snows and motley het snows from him, and he has some of my blood boas ect) picked up a 6 year old snow female that is pure columbian and pushing 11ft and 60lbs.... so on the rare occasion even Colombians can get big.... But from my experience and the 20+ boas I have they vary rarely have bad attitudes and are usually a joy to be around.....

Another great thing about boas, is so many of the morphs have come down in price where you can buy something cool at a more affordable price....jungles, motley, albino, sunglow, albino motley, all morphs that can be had for less than 500 bucks....

Are BCI typically easy to get at reptile stores, and shows?
I am trying to gain all information before I make a decision of purchasing a RTB.

Just out of curiosity what does BCC, and BCI stand for, and how did it come up?
Does BCC indicate a true RTB?

BCIs are usually the ones sold in pet stores, and are easy to come by at expos too: probably more BCIs there than BCCs, BCOs, BCLs, etc

BCCs are "true redtails", these include Peruvians, Guyanans, Surinames, etc

BCI is boa constrictor imperator, BCC is boa constrictor constrictor

So they are all considered red tail boas, but some are found in different regions?
I have worked with some RTB, but now I am trying to understand the differences.
Also I find this as part of my homework before I ever own one :D

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Originally Posted by Druzy

So they are all considered red tail boas, but some are found in different regions?
I have worked with some RTB, but now I am trying to understand the differences.
Also I find this as part of my homework before I ever own one :D

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Yeah, though personally I don't even call my Colombians "red tail boas" since I don't think it's totally correct. I may just be nit picky.

Here's a good site on all the different kinds of boas: http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/index.htm

Talking about localities and BCI, BCC, BCL, and BCO it is really easy to break this stuff down.....

BCO = argentine boas
BCL = Peruvian long tail
BCI = Sonoran (mexican boas the species furthest north) all the way south to columbian boas
BCC = South of Columbia

It also seems to an extent (true alot but not always for example the largest boa locality is Peruvian, and Argentina is further south but the BCO is smaller than Peruvian) the further south you go the larger the boas are

Dont let all the locality stuff beat you up its really not as difficult as it seems.

I just want to ask one kind favor of you... I know you are only talking about one boa, but it is an addiction that I know I cant get away from.. If you choose to breed PLEASE DO NOT CROSS BREED ANY THING TO BCO OR BCL LOCALITIES.... I do not care much about cross breeding bci localities it is done so much anyway and producing morphs it is understandable, crossing bci to bcc I do not like but understand it happens and it becomes more acceptable when things like roswell boas come out of those crosses... But bcl is something special and should be left alone in my oppenion.... and BCO is such a magical beautiful animal that was pushed to the verge of extinction and there are amazing pure BCO morphs (t+ and motley) that look amazing it would be a travesty to cross breed and mutt this species of boa up........

I agree, there are a few boa species out there that are so fantastic and beautiful on their own that it would be a downright shame to crossbreed them. I usually don't care either way, but it kind of takes away from their special-ness a little.

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Originally Posted by xFenrir

I agree, there are a few boa species out there that are so fantastic and beautiful on their own that it would be a downright shame to crossbreed them. I usually don't care either way, but it kind of takes away from their special-ness a little.

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I believe that BCO's are flippin amazing... and I want some T+ and motley het T+ BCO's so bad I cant stand it........ I dont know why anyone would try to cross breed these out, I personally hope it never happens, but we all know it will