I think I need a boa...

So I was picking up rat chow at our feed/pet store, and this adorable juvie red tail definitely had his eye on me :) He was so inquisitive! And gorgeous to boot. I was sorely tempted, but I think for my first boa I'd like to start off smaller, definitely no BCC. I've been considering a boa for the past few months, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I'd like one of the smaller localities, but I'm not sure which would suit me best. I'd love some input from you boa specialists.

Like I said, I want to stick with a smaller boa, nice temperament(obviously this will be dependent upon the individual, but generally speaking). Additionally, I'd like a lighter/bright/flashy specimen. Sunglows,for one, have really caught my eye when browsing on king snake :) So for now, I've narrowed it to hog island, dumeril, possibly a male BCI. Are there any others I should add to my list? Once I decide on one, I'll start my research on species-specific requirements. Thanks in advance!

Please put the research info/housing setup on here eventually....I want to see what goes into setting up a boa:gj::gj: One day soon I'll get some other types of snakes, and a boa is definitely on the list.

No, you've got it pretty well narrowed down to what we usually recommend here. I personally think a male Colombian BCI is the best choice for a first boa. They are easy to find, come in a huge variety of morphs (quite of few of which aren't all that expensive), don't generally get more than 7-ish feet or so, and tend to have the most consistently docile and pleasant personalities.

Dumerils can often get bigger, even the males, and can occasionally be picky eaters.

Tarahumara Mountain, Hog Island, and the other insular localities (still considered BCI) can sometimes be hard to find and can be somewhat more temperamental.

One nice thing is, even if you haven't decided, you can start your research now. All of these boas have very similar care requirements and generally need the same range of heat and humidity. And a tip - most boas like slightly cooler temps than the standard 80 / 90 degrees.

The problem with boas is housing. They are bigger than BP's, so it needs to be a consideration when looking for a new boa.

Caging a boa isn't really the issue here tho, the problem is housing 4, 5, 6+ boas, because you can't, get, just, one, boa!

So make sure you have room for 5, or 10, or 20 boas lol


Sent From an Enclosure

We started with a male BCI. And I absolutely adore him. His temperment is wonderful. So my vote would be for a BCI.

Haha thanks for the input guys! I've already done the research on general temps, space requirements, frequency of feedings, etc. I'm really leaning toward the male BCI just for the sheer volume of morphs available. I do have a 48"x24"x12" that I could use(for now! ) But I'd really like more room for the little guy. I'd like to build my own, but I think that may be more effort than it's worth. For a larger enclosure, should I just go RHP? And might any of you know solid breeders in AZ? I've orderes snakes online before, but I'd much rather see it in person before pulling the trigger.

I think everyone needs a boa :P

I think male BCI's are an excellent choice. They usually have a great temperament, are interesting to work with, eat really well, and come in a variety of colors.

I will have to confirm what is already said, GET A BCI!!!! I have a BCI female and she is got to be my favorite snake! In fact,she is hanging out around my neck as I type this. The biggest problem I have run into with keeping a boa is, they HATE going back into their enclosures!! Well at least mine does anyway, she is a total lap slut but when it's time to put her back she acts like I put toxic sludge in her enclosure and tries to get out as fast and strong as she can!

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Originally Posted by Ronin

I will have to confirm what is already said, GET A BCI!!!! I have a BCI female and she is got to be my favorite snake! In fact,she is hanging out around my neck as I type this. The biggest problem I have run into with keeping a boa is, they HATE going back into their enclosures!! Well at least mine does anyway, she is a total lap slut but when it's time to put her back she acts like I put toxic sludge in her enclosure and tries to get out as fast and strong as she can!

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That's exactly what I'm looking for! She sounds like a sweetie pie. Thanks to all you guys, I'm about 95% sold on a BCI. I'd like somethinf a little more personable than a ball, but not as easy to lose as a hognose lol. Thanks again!

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Originally Posted by MootWorm

Haha thanks for the input guys! I've already done the research on general temps, space requirements, frequency of feedings, etc. I'm really leaning toward the male BCI just for the sheer volume of morphs available. I do have a 48"x24"x12" that I could use(for now! ) But I'd really like more room for the little guy. I'd like to build my own, but I think that may be more effort than it's worth. For a larger enclosure, should I just go RHP? And might any of you know solid breeders in AZ? I've orderes snakes online before, but I'd much rather see it in person before pulling the trigger.

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Actually, a 4x2x1 enclosure would probably be fine for a male BCI for his entire life. Doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't go bigger, but you wouldn't necessarily have to if he got plenty of "out" time. If you get a baby and put it in there right away, make sure to provide several hides and clutter it up a bit so he'll feel more secure. Boas will use as much space as you can give them, so if you are inclined to build something larger, go for it! :gj:

I don't know any breeders specifically in AZ, but try going to a few expos and talking to people. I've bought several of my boas from good people at expos. Beware though, it is ADDICTIVE. And Expensive Hobby is right - be prepared for enclosures for 3, 6, then 10 or more............ :P

Maybe I shouldn't get one then... Ha, who am I kidding! I think I'll keep him in my current enclosure, at least while he grows. Then reevaluate once he gets some size. That's interesting, everything I've read has recommended 4x2x2 as a minimum.

And I've got a ton of fake plants and spare hides laying around, so I don't think I'll have any issues with cluttering :)

Well, the general rule for a BCI is 4x2x2. But males, or the smaller localities, will often do fine in a 4x2x1. But remember, I did also say that boas will use whatever space you give them, so bigger is always better. And they will climb if given the opportunity. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

Well, the general rule for a BCI is 4x2x2. But males, or the smaller localities, will often do fine in a 4x2x1. But remember, I did also say that boas will use whatever space you give them, so bigger is always better. And they will climb if given the opportunity. :gj:

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This is spot on. I have my biggest girl in a 6x4x3 acrylic enclosure with a decent tree in there(spans about 4' around at the top and the full height of the cage.

I've caught her(mind you she's 8.25') up in her tree on occasion. It's pretty cool seeing a snake that size climbing.


Sent From an Enclosure

I've seen that monster enclosure before, it's awesome! I'll probably just end up building a big one in a year or so. I've seen a couple things online about boas using cat trees and whatnot. .. Do/would any of yours use one? I love the idea of a boa jungle gym :)

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Originally Posted by MootWorm

I've seen that monster enclosure before, it's awesome! I'll probably just end up building a big one in a year or so. I've seen a couple things online about boas using cat trees and whatnot. .. Do/would any of yours use one? I love the idea of a boa jungle gym :)

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I would thank that would be an easy way for some exercise for your boa. I got lucky and my house has a big dogwood tree in the backyard so all of my boa enclosures get awesome tree branches for free. I just debark, and sanitize them and it's good to go :)


Sent From an Enclosure

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

I would thank that would be an easy way for some exercise for your boa. I got lucky and my house has a big dogwood tree in the backyard so all of my boa enclosures get awesome tree branches for free. I just debark, and sanitize them and it's good to go :)


Sent From an Enclosure

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Mail me some? All I have are a few pitiful Indian laurels dying in my backyard lol.

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Originally Posted by MootWorm

Mail me some? All I have are a few pitiful Indian laurels dying in my backyard lol.

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Lol I have a little bit left but I've gotta set up like 5 more enclosures. I'm not gonna have a tree after that lol. If I have any left I send some pieces your way ;)


Sent From an Enclosure

Oh boy. Someone's rehoming a lipstick albino baby for 80 on my Facebook... Dang that is soooo tempting. But I'm nowhere near prepared to get one right now. *sigh*

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Originally Posted by MootWorm

Oh boy. Someone's rehoming a lipstick albino baby for 80 on my Facebook... Dang that is soooo tempting. But I'm nowhere near prepared to get one right now. *sigh*

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A baby?? You can set up a baby in a tub for a good while. All you need is a 32-41 quart tub, a small heat mat, and t-stat (Hydrofarm off Amazon for $32), and you are good to go!! I would get that baby... Lipsticks are hard to find, especially at that price. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

A baby?? You can set up a baby in a tub for a good while. All you need is a 32-41 quart tub, a small heat mat, and t-stat (Hydrofarm off Amazon for $32), and you are good to go!! I would get that baby... Lipsticks are hard to find, especially at that price. :gj:

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You're killin me, smalls! I already messaged her ;)

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Originally Posted by MootWorm

You're killin me, smalls! I already messaged her ;)

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ahahhaa!! :D:D:D

The Sandlot - one of the best movies!




Glad you already messaged her - let us know! :gj:

I got my female Dumeril's and my Argentine from Jared at Reptile Mogul in Tempe. He's a good guy to deal with.

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Originally Posted by rocknhorse76

I got my female Dumeril's and my Argentine from Jared at Reptile Mogul in Tempe. He's a good guy to deal with.

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I don't remember seeing many boas last time I stopped by. But it's been quite a few months, and I really wasn't looking for one at the time. I'll have to swing by again. I could spend hours there! It's where I first got my ASF colony way back when :)

Get a Dominican Red Mountain Boa.

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Originally Posted by Neal

Get a Dominican Red Mountain Boa.

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Lol, a female maybe? Let's do lunch haha. Play date for the DRMB's


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Originally Posted by Neal

Get a Dominican Red Mountain Boa.

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You buying? Lol

I'm right there with you, I'd love to get me a albino male. I think its in the near future for sure.

I love my boas - fabulous eaters, more active/social/visible than my ball pythons, awesome temperments, etc. The only problem is that just like BP's you will get more than one... and then you find yourself scouring CL and the local reptile classifieds for used 4x2x2 enclosures, since you will need them sooner rather than later...

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

Lol, a female maybe? Let's do lunch haha. Play date for the DRMB's


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Well I would prefer a male over a female but I may end up getting a pair. I'm fighting back and forth with the decision. I've pulled some strings and I can get a pair for $1500 or a male or female for $750. I just don't want to spend that much money. The

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Originally Posted by MootWorm

You buying? Lol

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Well, we could always go half in together? I found some really nice ones but I don't want to try to get any until they're well started on f/t.

On an + note though, I did get a fair bit of information on them. I was talking to somebody who actually went and caught some in the wild and he was telling me about some of the things that he's noticed while keeping them for all these years.

See if I got a female for $750, or managed to find somebody to help me cut that cost, I could get her to breeding size, in 3 years, though from another person I talked to that is about the most knowledgeable person in the hobby she can be ready in two with good feedings. Then hobby you have a male which could come here to breed and get babies and sell babies to get them more in the hobby. Yea I'm just blabbing now.

Also I was informed of how drastically they can change colors which just sounds awesome and how not tempted to bite they are. Not that boas are mean in any way but apparently these are more docile then I thought with the average boas.