Thinking of getting a boa - suggestions?

So, I'm really happy with the four snakes I have right now, but I've considered adding one final animal to the collection before I stop for awhile (hopefully!) and save up for other things like a rack, etc. Someday I do plan on adding a few more balls and/or hogs but not for awhile. I'd prefer to get at least one of something different purely as a pet. I really, really like boas but am not sure what to get. I'm looking for something that preferably doesn't get bigger than 5ft on average.

Right now I'm kind of tied between a Hogg Island Boa and a Rainbow Boa. I'm leaning towards Rainbow Boa primarily because they're absolutely gorgeous. I know they have a higher humidity requirement than some other snakes but I think I can manage that. My main concern about them is their tolerance for handling. They seem to be very shy snakes. I'd kind of like something with a placid temperament I can take out every so often and hold or show people. I know all snakes can be prone to getting stressed out but it seems like Rainbows are more shy/sensitive on that front than other boas.

Hogg Islands I like mostly because of their smaller adult size and what I've seen of their temperament. I admittedly know a little less about them than Rainbow Boas.

Am I leaving out any other possibilities that fit within the size range and attitude I'm looking for? Has anyone had experiences with these snakes and can compare?

I have no experience with those two snakes, but I do have a couple rosy boas and love them. They stay on the small size - around 2-3 feet as adults depending on the locality. They also tend to be pretty docile and don't seem to mind handling. I've heard of some becoming nippy, but so far I haven't had that problem. They do have great feeding responses too.

A male BCI will *probably* stay around 6 feet. My BCI's are awesome. They have a ton of personality, and are very friendly, and curious. They tolerate handling very well. They are actually a pain to put away, because they turn right around and come back up your arm. They seem to enjoy being out.

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I haven't had a Hogg Island but I do have a BRB.

We all know that all snakes are different but my BRB likes to come out. After he explores for a bit, he will settle down and just wrap up around my hand and sit there.
He is not much of a display animal. I even have him in a tub now until I get him a new cage. So I guess he is shy in that regard. One of they only type of snake that I have not been bit by. I know in some circles that they have a rep of being nippy.
Keep the humidity up and no problems at all.

I don't think you'll go wrong with a BRB or the Hogg Island, I just can't give an opinion on the Hogg.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/30/gugu7usu.jpg

Wow, he's good-looking :D How old is he?

Thanks. He is a 2010 model :p

No experience with BRBs, but I can give some input on Hogs (***Hog Islands are spelled with only one "g"). Though a "dwarf" boa I've still seen pure adult females reach 6+ feet, so if 5' if your max point I recommend a male. They have good temperaments but mind you that it's all based on the individual snake: my Hog is actually quite a hissy pissy. She'll get all riled up and open mouth hiss, but she's never struck or bit me. Be prepared to have a bitey/bluffing snake as some are just like that (and some grow out of it). Prepare for at least a 4' viv for a Hog, I know some keep them in tubs but IMO BCI, BCC, BCOs, etc boas need vivariums if they're over 4'. A four foot should last a male its whole life, even if it gets a little on the big side for a male. A 4' viv should house most Colombian males too. Hogs do not need higher humidity requirements and like Colombians and Argentines they enjoy a tad cooler temps than other python species.

Here's my pure Hog BCI girl, pic taken back in August:

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...ust1020129.jpg

Wow she looks awesome!

Id get a hog island boa. I dont really like brb's.

I currently have 5 boa's. A male sunglow, a female coral albino, a male central american motley, a female central American hypo, and a motley. I love them all. Out of my whole collection they tend to be the snakes that I have out to handle more than any other. I am picking up a brb or two in the next week or so also. From my experience with them they don't seem as comfortable with handling as the boa's that I currently have though.

I was never sure if it was spelled "hog" or "hogg". I've seen it both ways. Thanks for the clarification though! I do like how pale they are.

I have a hog island, a dumerils and a brb. Tbh, I like them all, they all are great, but they also all have their reasons I like them so much.

The BRB is so curious when I take her out, she just loves to crawl around my hands and look around.

My BCI is very sociable when I take her out. She enjoys me a lot, I set her down and she comes right back to me and climbs up my hands and such.

The dumerils, she is just the sweetest thing ever!!!! She has not hissed, drew back to tag me or shown any aggressive signs at all. She is not head shy at all, although she does run for cover while she's in her tub lol. But I've heard they are just the most laid back snakes all their lives, and so far that's what I've seen.

So, the real question is size, the BCI will get decently sized, but not as big as other species. The BRB can get pretty long as well, but the body stays rather slim compared to a BCI. The dumerils, while so nice, can surpass 8 ft as females, so they get pretty big from what I've seen (mine is still a little baby).


Ball Pythons
0.3 Normals (Coilette, Athena and Mary Jane)
1.0 Pastel (De Sol)
1.0 Spider (Zeus)
1.0 Mojave (Prometheus)

Boa Constrictors
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Stella)
0.1 BCI (Kiyoko)
0.1 Dumerils Boa (Gloria)

Dumerils
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/30/e2aqy7ur.jpg

Brazilian Rainbow Boa
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/30/py8u5y6a.jpg

Hog Island Boa
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/30/ge5u6ege.jpg


Ball Pythons
0.3 Normals (Coilette, Athena and Mary Jane)
1.0 Pastel (De Sol)
1.0 Spider (Zeus)
1.0 Mojave (Prometheus)

Boa Constrictors
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Stella)
0.1 BCI (Kiyoko)
0.1 Dumerils Boa (Gloria)

Im liking the Dumerils more and more each time I see them.
Without hijacking, can we see some more pics please? :)

Wow, the dumerils is pretty. That's another one I know almost nothing about. Do feel free to share more pics ;)

Dumerils are very pretty. Serpent Merchant has a gorgeous one. I think they get pretty thick bodied. I think albino BCI's are beautiful too-
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/31/2u9ejyda.jpg

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Rainbow boas also require very high humidity, which can be a pain if you're housing them in glass tanks. I believe they need around 80% humidity.

Rainbow boas are a bit more tough to care for unless you use a tub and the right bedding, due to the 70%+ humidity requirement. I keep mine in a locking lid tub, for now, with coco husk and I only have to spray the tub like once every few days.

I say go with a BCI, maybe look more into the dumerils, they are super nice. All if these get around the same size, length wise, but it goes BRB BCI Dumerils from thinnest to thickest. I can say however, a BRB frowns very quickly, I saw my girls sibling not long ago and he feeds his snakes for sell just enough to keep them healthy. I feed mine every 4-5 days instead and she's way longer and looks much brighter than her sibling lol.

I strongly suggest checking into dumerils more before making a choice!!!



Ball Pythons
0.3 Normals (Coilette, Athena and Mary Jane)
1.0 Pastel (De Sol)
1.0 Spider (Zeus)
1.0 Mojave (Prometheus)

Boa Constrictors
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Stella)
0.1 BCI (Kiyoko)
0.1 Dumerils Boa (Gloria)

And for you who asked here's Gloria!!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/31/qyvuqebe.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/31/umy4eme4.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/31/4urugu2e.jpg


Ball Pythons
0.3 Normals (Coilette, Athena and Mary Jane)
1.0 Pastel (De Sol)
1.0 Spider (Zeus)
1.0 Mojave (Prometheus)

Boa Constrictors
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Stella)
0.1 BCI (Kiyoko)
0.1 Dumerils Boa (Gloria)

Damn, I want one!

They are a less pricey species and have pretty much the same husbandry requirements as a ball python. They do like to burrow, I've not only heard this but have seen it here at home.




Ball Pythons
0.3 Normals (Coilette, Athena and Mary Jane)
1.0 Pastel (De Sol)
1.0 Spider (Zeus)
1.0 Mojave (Prometheus)

Boa Constrictors
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Stella)
0.1 BCI (Kiyoko)
0.1 Dumerils Boa (Gloria)

I love the patterns on that snake. Perhaps I'll have to look into the Dumerils option a bit more. It's not like I'm in a rush or anything.