Thinking about getting a boa

I'm wanting to get into boas, but I'm not sure what kind would be best! I'm wanting something that I can handle on my own when it's an adult (I'm 5'3" and only have experience with BP's). Any ideas? I've heard bad things about RTB's, but I don't know if any of it is true or not (They're aggressive, large, hard to handle, etc.) I do like the Hog Islands, though.
Also, if someone could direct me to a good care guide, and make a suggestion on a breeder, that would be great! I'm planning to wait at least a few months, but I want to start researching and setting stuff up now.

I recommend Vincent Russo's The Complete Boa Constrictor. $60, but worth it. You will get a care guide as well as descriptions of the various localities for snakes in the genus Boa.

Good read.

I have 2 RTBs are they are a blast. A male would not be larger than 7-8 feet, not sure if that is too big for you or not. As far as aggressiveness, that depends on the animal. My female RTB is a sweet heart, but my male has a bit of an attitude! He is a little difficult to handle because he tries to go in a million different directions and gets angry when i don't let him go where he is trying to go. Very fun snakes though, way different than balls

I am a huge advocate for boas in general. Both of the RTBs that I had were super sweet and never bit me. That isn't to say that they never had a bad day though. Like any animal their personalities are all different but very charming. Much different in my opinion then the ball python I currently own. They are a little more active and inquisitive. I am in the market to get a Dumerils myself, but I am also interested in the Hog Island boas. They stay a bit thinner and smaller and from what I've heard Hogs normally sport pretty good temperaments. Remember males always stay smaller then females so you might want to take that into consideration.

I think boas get a nastier rep because when they do bite it's a bit more intense then a ball python to say the least. They are a bigger snake after all.

I had misgivings at first myself Megg. But I soon found them to be so untrue.

My 6 ft adult girl is an absolute love! One of the reasons I rescued her was that two toddlers would pull her out of her tub and drag her around everyday.

Don't be put off by the monster size boas you see on the net. Those are the exception and or misfed/overfed ones by power feeding by people feeding their egos rather than taking the health of the animal into account.
The average length for a female BCI is 6-7 ft. Males are usually a half to foot shorter.
As you study you will find some locales are smaller, some larger.

I agree with Distaff about Russo's book, well worth the money and easily found on Amazon.

Don't let anyone talk you out of a Boa. They are really cool and a lot of fun. I love my BP and enjoy her too, but my Boa is just a different experience.

Besides, now you won't have any food go to waste. Boas usually don't refuse food.


Here's Elenore getting some exercise.


http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09...0df63dda24.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09...ba868191c1.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09...b65447ea78.jpg

Love all 4 of my boas...great snakes with great personality

Sent from my A521L using Tapatalk

Thanks, everyone! I'm definitely wanting to get into something with a bit more personality than my BP's (I love them, but they don't do much!). I've always been interested in boas, now it's just a matter of picking a locality, lol... I had no idea there were so many to choose from! Can anyone tell me what size enclosure I'm looking at? I think I've heard 4'x2' and 5'2', and I've also heard they'll climb if you give them something to climb on. I'm kind of planning on setting up a cheap fish tank to start with (assuming I get a juvie), then once it's larger, upgrading to a PVC enclosure with some climbing and moving room.

Also, thanks for the picture Reinz! Love the mustache.:)

I adore my boa!! I actually have a severe anxiety disorder and when I begin to have a panic attack, I get out my 2 year old 5.5-6" girl to help me relax. She is very, very docile. I'm more worried about getting tagged by my feisty little bp lol! I always tell anyone who wants to handle my snakes that although the boa's bite may be significantly more painful and bloody, the ball is about 10x more likely to bite. Which is definitely saying a lot because my ball doesn't bite much at all despite her feisty nature. I've only been bit by the boa twice, both were accidental. My fault for not using tongs when feeding!

Heck, I even teach children with my boa girl. She's been accidentally (and unfortunately) dropped, squeezed, and smacked in the face by children (little boy felt her tongue and thought she was a bug crawling on him) she has never bit or threatened a child.

Training and handling will go a long way with boas. Although snakes in general are dumb as dirt compared to many pets, some like large pythons and boas are definitely capable of recognizing people and learning what feed time looks like vs. what handling time looks like.

It also really depends on the individual personality of your boa how they will act. Most boas are very silly. Some are nippy (especially as tiny babies) and some are incredibly tame and sweet.

Good luck!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Megg

I'm wanting to get into boas, but I'm not sure what kind would be best! I'm wanting something that I can handle on my own when it's an adult (I'm 5'3" and only have experience with BP's). Any ideas? I've heard bad things about RTB's, but I don't know if any of it is true or not (They're aggressive, large, hard to handle, etc.) I do like the Hog Islands, though.
Also, if someone could direct me to a good care guide, and make a suggestion on a breeder, that would be great! I'm planning to wait at least a few months, but I want to start researching and setting stuff up now.

---

First thing I can say is after you get a BC whether it be BCI or BCC is you will find out how easy they are to handle. They are actually the PERFECT snake for many reasons. Size can be impressive yet not giant. They are almost always easy to handle unless wild caught.

I have a 6 foot male locality BCI that I still handle with ONE hand. 6 feet is rather small all wrapped up. An 8 foot female of almost any species is a good sized boa.

As mentioned, THE COMPLETE BOA CONSTRICTOR is a must.

IMO there is no royal python that comes close. Activity and semi arboreal traits go to boas. They are possibly the most consistent feeding snake out there.

Research and prepare well.

My personal opinion is to go with a locality, whether it be BCI or BCC. Pure "Mother Nature" coloring and selectively bred boas are hard to beat.

This is a true locality BCI that was almost dubbed BCC by the breeder.

Barranquilla, Colombian Boa. Bred by the master Gus Rentfro or Rio Bravo Reptiles. He closed his doors, but Legacy Reptiles has taken over the stock.

Look at him here. http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/DSC01670.jpg

My 5' 3" wife could easily handle this animal. He will maybe hit 7' in his lifetime and still be an easy keep.

I gotta agree with everyone else here about the RTBs. I'm newer to having boas, but my little BCI is awesome and so gentle it has never even shown any sign of aggression. I just pick it right out of its enclosure with my hand and I even hear they mellow out more when they grow up too so if that's the case it'll be like a puppy dog.

I have an extensive collection of ball pythons, but have more recently added boas--Tarahumaras, a Hogg Island, and Amaralis. I love them all. The Tarahumaras are a dwarf boa that I can keep in similar size tubs as my BPs. They are hissy as babies, but settle down quickly with handling. The Amaralis have the most interesting temperaments and are beautiful to handle. The Hogg is a sweetie and has an amazing peachy color.
Tarahumara
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps311leg3e.jpg
Hogg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...pso8n05ayt.jpg
Amarali
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...psszfej2tk.jpg
And, just for fun, if you are thinking of something out of the ordinary, this is a Solomon Island Ground Boa. Smaller than a ball python, a bit more feisty. Comes in beautiful colors.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...pszodoircm.jpg

Good luck in your search!

Update- I just sent my payment for a 2014 T Pos male Nicaraguan from TSK. I was planning on getting a Columbian, but I stumbled across this guy and decided to get him!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Megg

Update- I just sent my payment for a 2014 T Pos male Nicaraguan from TSK. I was planning on getting a Columbian, but I stumbled across this guy and decided to get him!

---

Congratulations, I hope he arrives soon!


http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09...a46af32286.jpg

Miserably awaiting shed.

Love the locality boas.
Hoping for a Tarahumara maybe next year.

Thanks! I have him scheduled to come on the 8th since it's my day off. Can't wait.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09...4895db35b9.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09...1d0c4b6852.jpg

From TSK's website.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Beautiful boa.
Green with envy from over here. :)

He's a beauty!

Hope you can keep yourself busy so that time doesn't crawl. :tears:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reinz

He's a beauty!

Hope you can keep yourself busy so that time doesn't crawl. :tears:

---

Trust me, it's already crawling lol! I'm trying to keep myself busy setting up his enclosure. I have an extra 20 gallon but I think I'm going to go with a tub so he'll have a bit more room.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

While my BCI was growing up, once he got a decent size, I notice in old videos I had a bit of trouble maneuvering him, but after a year or two of getting used to his size, I can now pick him up with ease. I can easily pick him up with one arm and hold him above my head. He's very malleable to directions, and will loosen his grip if I rub my finger down his side in between him and me. You should be able to handle your Nic extremely easily! They stay 3'-5'.

He's not aggressive in the least, and he's bitten me twice outside of feeding time when I was gullible enough to believe they needed to be fed in a separate container. He's never done much damage beyond invisible scratches when he's bitten me, and the last bite he gave me was a few weeks ago while he was in shed. I bothered him a little too much with his sensitive skin, and he lashed out. He didn't leave a mark whatsoever although there was a teeny bit of blood but he hit me right on the joint of my thumb where a tendon was and boy did it hurt. Didn't even leave a bruise, though, and he's roughly 6.5' now.

Enclosure size depends on the snake's length, a 4'x2' is the absolute minimum you want to house a 6' boa in imo, but I feel it's a rather tight squeeze and would rather upgrade to a 6'x2'. One long side and one short side should be equal to or greater than the length of your boa. For snakes under 3'-4' I suggest supplying much more room than that, and make one long side as long as or longer than the snake. I usually put my babies in tubs big enough to hold them until they're 3.5'-4' from the get-go and then upgrade them to 4'x2's when they reach 3'-4'.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CloudtheBoa

While my BCI was growing up, once he got a decent size, I notice in old videos I had a bit of trouble maneuvering him, but after a year or two of getting used to his size, I can now pick him up with ease. I can easily pick him up with one arm and hold him above my head. He's very malleable to directions, and will loosen his grip if I rub my finger down his side in between him and me. You should be able to handle your Nic extremely easily! They stay 3'-5'.

He's not aggressive in the least, and he's bitten me twice outside of feeding time when I was gullible enough to believe they needed to be fed in a separate container. He's never done much damage beyond invisible scratches when he's bitten me, and the last bite he gave me was a few weeks ago while he was in shed. I bothered him a little too much with his sensitive skin, and he lashed out. He didn't leave a mark whatsoever although there was a teeny bit of blood but he hit me right on the joint of my thumb where a tendon was and boy did it hurt. Didn't even leave a bruise, though, and he's roughly 6.5' now.

Enclosure size depends on the snake's length, a 4'x2' is the absolute minimum you want to house a 6' boa in imo, but I feel it's a rather tight squeeze and would rather upgrade to a 6'x2'. One long side and one short side should be equal to or greater than the length of your boa. For snakes under 3'-4' I suggest supplying much more room than that, and make one long side as long as or longer than the snake. I usually put my babies in tubs big enough to hold them until they're 3.5'-4' from the get-go and then upgrade them to 4'x2's when they reach 3'-4'.

---

Thanks so much for all the info! They said he's just under 2 foot right now so I figured a tub for now, and eventually I'd upgrade to PVC. Any recommendations on companies? I keep hearing boaphile, and obviously animal plastics.
I had planned to get a Colombian, but I got to handle a 4 foot female at a local shop and decided I wasn't quite ready for the size and space commitment of an Colombian. Hopefully it's in my future!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I haven't used any PVC yet but I did just put in an order for a few Animal Plastics cages! I decided not to go with Boaphile because although their quality seems good I haven't heard much good on the customer service front and apparently it takes much longer for Boaphile send out their products. I'd talk with people who have dealt with them though as that's just hear say on my part! I just wanted to be cautious with the amount of money I'm spending on these.

Yeah just jumping into the bigger snakes when you're not used to it can be daunting, but you grow with them if you raise a baby, it takes them several years to get to a big size, and slow grown a 4' boa could still be 3 years old.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CloudtheBoa

I haven't used any PVC yet but I did just put in an order for a few Animal Plastics cages! I decided not to go with Boaphile because although their quality seems good I haven't heard much good on the customer service front and apparently it takes much longer for Boaphile send out their products. I'd talk with people who have dealt with them though as that's just hear say on my part! I just wanted to be cautious with the amount of money I'm spending on these.

Yeah just jumping into the bigger snakes when you're not used to it can be daunting, but you grow with them if you raise a baby, it takes them several years to get to a big size, and slow grown a 4' boa could still be 3 years old.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

I've heard the same thing about boaphile so I've been a little iffy about ordering from them. You'll have to let me know how you like the ap cages. They've always been at the top of my list for when I buy one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Another cage option is Pro-Line from Constrictors NW.

I have 3 of them and all in different sizes.

The plastic used is the best out there IMO. HDPE plastic.

http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_2656.jpg

http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_2638.jpg

Your boa will more than likely display some abroad tendencies. The Central American types usually have a knack for climbing.

If you want to ventrally set up a nice display cage, get at least 18" of ceiling.

Boaphile caging is decent, and aesthetically nice looking on the outside. The 421D (common model) is only 11" tall. The 422D is 17" and a lot more expensive.

AP has nice cages. I'd probably have one if I was not so happy with my Prolines.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gio

Another cage option is Pro-Line from Constrictors NW.

I have 3 of them and all in different sizes.

The plastic used is the best out there IMO. HDPE plastic.

http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_2656.jpg

http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_2638.jpg

Your boa will more than likely display some abroad tendencies. The Central American types usually have a knack for climbing.

If you want to ventrally set up a nice display cage, get at least 18" of ceiling.

Boaphile caging is decent, and aesthetically nice looking on the outside. The 421D (common model) is only 11" tall. The 422D is 17" and a lot more expensive.

AP has nice cages. I'd probably have one if I was not so happy with my Prolines.

---

Thanks, I'll have to look into them! I was hoping to get a little bit of height so he'd have some room to climb if he wants.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And If your handy and have some tool the sell the hdpe plastic at menards cheaphttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09...b4658002a1.jpgthis is one I made 4x2x16 total cost with sliding glass doors was 110$

Sent from my A521L using Tapatalk

I can chime in on the boaphile since that's what I own, his turnaround is 3-4 months and don't bother trying to contact him by email but he's quick to answer or return calls and very helpful on the phone. Great quality cages although I feel you can't really go wrong with any of the major cage makers if you want plastic, just depends on what options you are looking for. My only boaphile downside is I don't care for his lighting fixtures and would recommend putting in your own leds.

Thanks to frosty and going postal! I'm not handy, but maybe I can get someone to help me if I decide to attempt a build.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Megg

Thanks to frosty and going postal! I'm not handy, but maybe I can get someone to help me if I decide to attempt a build.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

If you don't, Postal is correct in saying the "Big" cage makers are all pretty good.

I prefer ordering and getting my stuff with some, but little effort put in on my part.

You'll do fine no matter what you decide.

I plan on doing a step by step in a few weeks when I get the time to build more...it will be posted on this forum for sure

Sent from my A521L using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by frostysBP

I plan on doing a step by step in a few weeks when I get the time to build more...it will be posted on this forum for sure

Sent from my A521L using Tapatalk

---

That would definitely be helpful! I'll have to check it out when you get it posted.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk