Searching for a new scaly friend!

Hello everyone, my name is Corey. I've been creeping on the forum for a while now and have decided to become a member. I currently keep a small collection of ball pythons, have kept several other snakes and lizards, and I'm now looking into getting my first boa. So I thought I would ask those with some experience, what do you think would be best for a first boa? The only thing that stopped me from getting one in the past is their size. So I'd like one in the 5-7 foot range as an adult if possible. Suggestions? Thank you all in advance.

Male BCI:gj:

Yeah I'm not too keen on the BCI and BCC thing. Lol. I know it means Boa Constructor Imperator, buts that's all I really know.

BCIs: Hog Islands, Colombians, Central American boas, Nics, Caulker Cays, Mexican boas, etc
BCCs: Peruvians, Surinames, Guyanas, Brazilians, etc

I recommend a male Colombian, they should stay in the range you want and they're hardy, easy keepers, and most have wonderful personalities. They come in lots of morphs too :gj: Just keep in mind a male will need at least a 4' cage, recommended 4' x '2 x 2'

Thank you for the info! I've always thought the Hogs were gorgeous! But I will certainly look into Columbians as well.

Can't beat a pure Hog.....

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...ber2820122.jpg

Or a Colombian morph....

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...June920128.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...uary820133.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...mber820128.jpg

:gj:

Oh my, that Hog is beautiful! And so are the Columbians. I think you may have sold me on a Hog. Lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Male BCI:gj:

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This!^ I love my BCI's. They have the neatest personalities. A male should stay smaller too.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/22/agupyqa8.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/22/u3u7une8.jpg
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Wow! Gorgeous boas! I also saw your new Gtp and wow! I'm insanely jealous of you. What do you guys house your boas in?? If I may be so bold to ask. Lol

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Originally Posted by C_Smith23

Wow! Gorgeous boas! I also saw your new Gtp and wow! I'm insanely jealous of you. What do you guys house your boas in?? If I may be so bold to ask. Lol

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They are both under a year old yet, so they are actually in 40 gallon breeder tanks, right now. They have aspen substrate, hides on both sides, some cheap plants from the dollar store (to make it prettier for us). Hubby is designing, custom built enclosures. Which we are now re-visiting, due to the addition of the gtp. We are eventually going to have the female in the bottom, larger enclosure, then above her, a slightly smaller one for the male, with the gtp next to him, but on top of her. They will be a "focal point" of our living room. The balls are all tucked away in the bedroom, lol.

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Now that sounds like one incredible display lol I'm hoping to have a dual display with my Spider girl and the new boa. Her on bottom and the boa above. Fingers crossed! Lol

Just don't forget to quarantine new additions! :)

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Always! I suppose now I begin the search! Lol

Any boa breeders you recommend?

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Originally Posted by C_Smith23

Any boa breeders you recommend?

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I've personally purchased from Jimi Snakes, Dan Eby, Chad Duggin, and Mark Venhorst (Boamaster) successfully

Sounds like a good place to start! Thank you for all your help Daybreaker!

Both of mine I got locally. One from a local reptile store, one from a local member here. However, I got a ball python from Bob Futo, and he is also a boa breeder.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

BCIs: Hog Islands, Colombians, Central American boas, Nics, Caulker Cays, Mexican boas, etc
BCCs: Peruvians, Surinames, Guyanas, Brazilians, etc

I recommend a male Colombian, they should stay in the range you want and they're hardy, easy keepers, and most have wonderful personalities. They come in lots of morphs too :gj: Just keep in mind a male will need at least a 4' cage, recommended 4' x '2 x 2'

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

I've personally purchased from Jimi Snakes, Dan Eby, Chad Duggin, and Mark Venhorst (Boamaster) successfully

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Agreed - excellent advice here.

Another option for a smaller boa is a Dumerils ground boa. They tend to stay in that 5-7ft range and have wonderful personalities - very inquisitive, docile, and sweet. Male BCIs of any locality will tend to stay smaller than the females, so keep that in mind. Of all the suggestions, a Colombian or Dumerils will most likely have the best temperament.

The breeders Daybreaker mentioned are all great. I have also purchased from Tim Koppenhoffer of Special K Reptiles, Vin Russo of Cutting Edge Herps, and Gus Rentfro of Rio Bravo. Can't go wrong with any of these guys - they are all great and will often have some nice selections. :gj:

One really good guy is Dave Colling at Rainbows-r-us Reptiles. I got my first boa from him and I could not be happier! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/22/eqyry2y7.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/22/3e3egutu.jpg

Thanks everyone for all your helpful input! Time to do some MAJOR research. Lol. But I think the hog's have stolen my heart.

I adore my Hog. She has always been the sweetest thing. Plus the color change from day to night is always fun to watch.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...7/DSC00346.jpg

this is a picture of when I got her as a baby
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...3-18095522.jpg

Not trying to sway you - hogs are great! - but here's a pic of my baby Dumerils female. I love her pattern and colors - she is PINK.

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...psea999a3e.jpg

Both gorgeous boas!! That hog is a mind blower Christine!

Get a hog island, I used to LOVE balls and wanted nothing more, but when I got her, she immediately became my favorite snake!! They are all equally loved but she's just amazing!!!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/22/yqu3a6u5.jpg


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

Boas
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Stella)
0.1 Hog Island Boa (Kiyoko)
0.1 Dumerils Boa (Gloria)
0.1 Yellow Anaconda (Serenity)

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