Dwarf Boas?

I know the title 'dwarf' is hazy when it comes to boas, but I have an interest in them. Are there any boa species that stay under 10ft? It's not that I can't handle it, I just really wanted something different. I already plan on having a BRB... [emoji14] oh and what kind of rack would they need? Or size tub...

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Kenyan Sand Boas are awesome!

Rosy boas are also pretty neat and different

Most male common BCI's will stay under 10 feet. If you want smaller than that, look at the Central American or Mexican localities.

Tarahumaras are the smallest, with adult males at four feet and females at five feet. What they lack in size they can make up for in attitude and defensiveness.

Other options are Columbian rainbows, Dominican Red Mountain boas, and Dumerils boas.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Most male common BCI's will stay under 10 feet. If you want smaller than that, look at the Central American or Mexican localities.

Tarahumaras are the smallest, with adult males at four feet and females at five feet. What they lack in size they can make up for in attitude and defensiveness.

Other options are Columbian rainbows, Dominican Red Mountain boas, and Dumerils boas.

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We have a RTB male who is 5ft and a female at 8ft. The female is cage aggressive and was dropped off outside a local sanctuary who rehomed her to us and the male's owner had an emergency situation and had to rehome him quickly so we took him as a foster and ended up keeping him. I was actually kinda scared of them until I met him. He is such a big lover and he's never displayed any aggressive behavior unless it's a feeding response and I think that's what turned me on to boas. :) Someone obviously pampered him and he and I have a thing.. Now I'm in love >.> I just know the bigger they are the more they eat ;)

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Unless it is outside their normal size parameters (i.e. an unusual individual) a regular male Bci (or, common redtail) should stay well under 10'... Typicallly 5-6'. Also, the central americans, mexicans, and some of the island boas stay well under that as well (typically smaller than the length I mentioned for regular Bci males above).

Female boas (common boas) get a LOT heavier and can be longer than males, so I would avoid a female. Also avoid Bcc (true redtails) as they get larger and heavier than common boas.

Boas are great and you should enjoy any of the localities / morphs of a Bci, I would advise getting the snake when it is smaller so that you can "grow with it" and get used to handling it. I would also suggest handling it in person (if possible) or specifically requesting a calm animal from the breeder. I would NOT buy from a reseller... and it is common for resellers to sell boas. My reason behind this is that the actual breeder can give you more information about date of birth, backgrounds on the parents (you can ask for pics and adult lengths on them to see what your boa's potential will be) and many times the breeder will be more willing to work with you in picking the right animal than a reseller would be.

I love my boas and just got my first last year... Now I'm on number 3, so be warned, they are addictive. :P

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Originally Posted by SCWood

I know the title 'dwarf' is hazy when it comes to boas, but I have an interest in them. Are there any boa species that stay under 10ft? It's not that I can't handle it, I just really wanted something different. I already plan on having a BRB... [emoji14] oh and what kind of rack would they need? Or size tub...

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I always find it a bit distressing when people get information that 10 foot long BC's are somehow the norm. The big BC's are the exception, not the rule and that includes BCC. If you are looking at a 10 foot long BCC/BCI, odds are it's a female, although "some" males can get there, but the fact is big snakes are OLD snakes. You should not be seeing 10 foot long specimens on a daily basis.

If so, those snakes are likely to die an early death because of poor feeding practices.

I base my statements here from reading material written and posted by Gus Rentfro, and Vincent Russo who are world authorities on boa constrictors.

So, to answer you question; "Are there any boa species that stay under 10 feet?" Almost all of them do.

Again there are exceptions, but you are highly unlikely to end up with a 10 foot long boa constrictor especially if you get a male BCI. BCI includes the island or "dwarf" locals, and the Colombian BCI west of the Andes.

If you really want another BC, feel comfortable in getting any BCI male, and just about any type of female. If somehow it ends up 10 feet long 10-15 years from now, you raised it well. :)

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Originally Posted by artgecko

Unless it is outside their normal size parameters (i.e. an unusual individual) a regular male Bci (or, common redtail) should stay well under 10'... Typicallly 5-6'. Also, the central americans, mexicans, and some of the island boas stay well under that as well (typically smaller than the length I mentioned for regular Bci males above).

Female boas (common boas) get a LOT heavier and can be longer than males, so I would avoid a female. Also avoid Bcc (true redtails) as they get larger and heavier than common boas.

Boas are great and you should enjoy any of the localities / morphs of a Bci, I would advise getting the snake when it is smaller so that you can "grow with it" and get used to handling it. I would also suggest handling it in person (if possible) or specifically requesting a calm animal from the breeder. I would NOT buy from a reseller... and it is common for resellers to sell boas. My reason behind this is that the actual breeder can give you more information about date of birth, backgrounds on the parents (you can ask for pics and adult lengths on them to see what your boa's potential will be) and many times the breeder will be more willing to work with you in picking the right animal than a reseller would be.

I love my boas and just got my first last year... Now I'm on number 3, so be warned, they are addictive. [emoji14]

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I've become obsessed making lists and learning all I can on husbandry! they're gorgeous!

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Originally Posted by Gio

I always find it a bit distressing when people get information that 10 foot long BC's are somehow the norm. The big BC's are the exception, not the rule and that includes BCC. If you are looking at a 10 foot long BCC/BCI, odds are it's a female, although "some" males can get there, but the fact is big snakes are OLD snakes. You should not be seeing 10 foot long specimens on a daily basis.

If so, those snakes are likely to die an early death because of poor feeding practices.

I base my statements here from reading material written and posted by Gus Rentfro, and Vincent Russo who are world authorities on boa constrictors.

So, to answer you question; "Are there any boa species that stay under 10 feet?" Almost all of them do.

Again there are exceptions, but you are highly unlikely to end up with a 10 foot long boa constrictor especially if you get a male BCI. BCI includes the island or "dwarf" locals, and the Colombian BCI west of the Andes.

If you really want another BC, feel comfortable in getting any BCI male, and just about any type of female. If somehow it ends up 10 feet long 10-15 years from now, you raised it well. :)

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I thought so. Ours are fed every 3 to 4 weeks. I feel like if I got them as babies it wouldn't matter to me ^^ I really do love them

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Originally Posted by SCWood

I've become obsessed making lists and learning all I can on husbandry! they're gorgeous!

I thought so. Ours are fed every 3 to 4 weeks. I feel like if I got them as babies it wouldn't matter to me ^^ I really do love them

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You'll be fine, especially if you take proper care in feeding.

As a whole most BC's are very docile animals!

Enjoy!

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Originally Posted by Gio

You'll be fine, especially if you take proper care in feeding.

As a whole most BC's are very docile animals!

Enjoy!

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A friend of mine who owns some said they are the "bastard snakes" (sorry if I'm not allowed to say that!) Because nobody wants them...that they all have attitude problems...but I've been watching and learning and they seem to be just fine with handling

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You could check out the island locality dwarf boas. I have a male Caulker Cay who is the second tiniest snake in my collection right now, second only to my juvie male KSB. I could not BELIEVE how tiny he was when I unboxed him. He eats small fuzzy mice. He should top out around 3-4 ft. All the attitude of a bigger boa, in half the package. Lol. That's always a good option if you want a smaller boa. Love that feisty little guy.

I've heard of them! I love the darker colored boas :) so much flare in their patterns

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It's funny that that guy would have bad experiences... All of the boas I've ever handled (mine or when looking at shows) were very chill animals. Now, I have heard that the smaller island localities and sometimes CAs (central Americans) can be a little more defensive, but I haven't found that with my CA motley. If you want a very calm snake, a male Bci (any morph) would probably work well for you or a male Bca (I have a male Bca and he is the calmest snake on the planet except during feeding time). The Bcas are great looking snakes, but they tend to get a little heavier than normal Bcis (same length, just chunkier as adults) but if you don't mind that, you could look into them as well.

I've also heard good things about Bcls (longacaudia sp?). They are the same length as Bci on average, but thinner and get very dark / light contrasty areas as adults. I'd LOVE to get a pair one day. For great info on pure localities, chceck out cutting edge herp or legacy reptiles. Both have great pics and info on their websites on the different subspecies and locales. Both also breed local-specific boas, so if you want a non-morph boa other than a "normal" (which could be mixed origin) then check into what they have.

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Originally Posted by artgecko

It's funny that that guy would have bad experiences... All of the boas I've ever handled (mine or when looking at shows) were very chill animals. Now, I have heard that the smaller island localities and sometimes CAs (central Americans) can be a little more defensive, but I haven't found that with my CA motley. If you want a very calm snake, a male Bci (any morph) would probably work well for you or a male Bca (I have a male Bca and he is the calmest snake on the planet except during feeding time). The Bcas are great looking snakes, but they tend to get a little heavier than normal Bcis (same length, just chunkier as adults) but if you don't mind that, you could look into them as well.

I've also heard good things about Bcls (longacaudia sp?). They are the same length as Bci on average, but thinner and get very dark / light contrasty areas as adults. I'd LOVE to get a pair one day. For great info on pure localities, chceck out cutting edge herp or legacy reptiles. Both have great pics and info on their websites on the different subspecies and locales. Both also breed local-specific boas, so if you want a non-morph boa other than a "normal" (which could be mixed origin) then check into what they have.

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Well the biggest RTB he has is cage aggressive. They say she was fed in her cage but I don't think that's it at all. She has to have her head put of her cage before you can pick any part of her up or she strikes.

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I'll admit my little CC is feisty. He can put on quite a show and make quite a bit of noise when he wants to. And he isn't afraid to back that up. He's a little nippy when he's not in the mood to be messed with. But he's tagged me and it didn't even leave a mark. In fact, I barely felt it. So I just laugh at him and let him throw his temper tantrum and pick him up anyway. He'll grow out of it.

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Originally Posted by WarriorPrincess90

I'll admit my little CC is feisty. He can put on quite a show and make quite a bit of noise when he wants to. And he isn't afraid to back that up. He's a little nippy when he's not in the mood to be messed with. But he's tagged me and it didn't even leave a mark. In fact, I barely felt it. So I just laugh at him and let him throw his temper tantrum and pick him up anyway. He'll grow out of it.

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Lol oh no she is 8ft I think the 'tude is here to stay

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Originally Posted by SCWood

Lol oh no she is 8ft I think the 'tude is here to stay

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At 8ft...yeah, definitely. lol.

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Originally Posted by WarriorPrincess90

At 8ft...yeah, definitely. lol.

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Lol her name is Percy because they like to joke and say when she dies she will make a nice purse...

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Originally Posted by SCWood

Lol her name is Percy because they like to joke and say when she dies she will make a nice purse...

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:rofl::rofl::rofl:

I feed all of my snakes in their enclosures and have no issues with cage aggression. I do, however, hook train... That is, I always touch the snakes with a hook before I handle them. They now associate that with being handled and come out of "food mode" when I touch them with the hook.

Maybe he just has a boa with a bad temperament? I would just handle any boa you're considering before purchase to make sure it isn't aggressive. None of mine have been nippy, even as little worms.

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Originally Posted by artgecko

I feed all of my snakes in their enclosures and have no issues with cage aggression. I do, however, hook train... That is, I always touch the snakes with a hook before I handle them. They now associate that with being handled and come out of "food mode" when I touch them with the hook.

Maybe he just has a boa with a bad temperament? I would just handle any boa you're considering before purchase to make sure it isn't aggressive. None of mine have been nippy, even as little worms.

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Lol okay ^^

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