Which Boa?!?

Having a tough time deciding...there is an upcoming expo this week and I've been considering a species of Boa that is SOMEWHAT larger than a Ball Python. What I mean by "larger" is that the snake ends up weighing more and attains a wider girth as an adult, not so much length. I have a Bp currently and am looking for a different species to work with. Only two species I've looked into that fit the bill are the Hog Islands and Dumerils.

Any other boa species I'm missing???

Thanks!

I know you said boa, but sounds like a blood Python fits the criteria you are looking for.


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Unfortunately I had a Blood Python pass away about two-three weeks ago. I may consider getting back into them in the future, as they're awesome snakes. I just need to be more confident around them that's why I'm interested in a boa species. Thanks for the suggestion!

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Originally Posted by RoyalBlood20

Unfortunately I had a Blood Python pass away about two-three weeks ago. I may consider getting back into them in the future, as they're awesome snakes. I just need to be more confident around them that's why I'm interested in a boa species. Thanks for the suggestion!

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Sorry to hear that [emoji17] well boas are pretty great animals. Buuuut I can't help myself from recommending retics too lol

hahaaha I'll unfortunately have to pass, though they are some cool pythons. I might settle on another ball, we'll have to see :)

I really like my dumerils boa, he's extremely fast moving in comparison to all my other snakes but not aggressive in the least, always eats, sheds great, love his pattern and the feel of his scales. Plus he's fairly active in the cage, it's fun to find where he's burrowed for the day or lately he's been coiling in a cork tube quite visibly.

If you're looking for a boa then I would highly recommend a Brazilian Rainbow Boa. Maybe even a Colombian too.

Going with a BRB as a first boa is a big change from owning BPs. I would caution against this, unless you are prepared and ready to deal with their unique husbandry. Young BRB boas need almost 100% humidity, with temperatures not rising above mid 80s. This in and of itself isnt that challenging, as long as you limit ventilation. However, keeping an enclosure this humid results in significant mold formation that must be dealt with.

I honestly would just go with a BCI. They are much hardier, usually friendlier right off the bat, and come in a myriad of color morphs. Boas grow much slower than most would believe, not achieving true adult sizes until 3-4 years old with correct feeding. This gives plenty of time to grow as a keeper yourself and get used to your new reptile.

Hogg island boas are interesting, but many have noticed a propensity for a nasty attitude from them. Not to say there arent many easy going hoggs, just seems to be a noticed characteristic.

I went with a BRB as a first snake after BP's and it worked out just fine so I would say its an option. They just need high humidity and slightly lower temperatures as josh said. I don't quite understand what you're saying about size though. Do you want one thats thicker than a BP but can be much longer? Because BP's are short fat snakes compared to most boa species. Any snake that is thicker than a BP is likely to be much longer. Dumerils can get to very large (long) sizes. Or are you saying you want one that is thicker but not much longer than a BP?

Aside from that I would choose any of the insular Chilabothrus species such as DRMB, Jamaican Boas, or Bahama Boas. They are all super cool although I don't know that they get thicker than a ball python. Certainly a bit longer though. I would also recommend BRB's but again they get longer but I don't think they really get thicker than a BP. I haven't dealt with any BI or BC so I can't say anything about those as I've always been attracted to the rarer species.

I have a Hogg Island and he is great. He's four feet long but not very thick (he's not easy to weigh!). He's quite active and often can be found roaming around his enclosure. I think that he is starting to shed, at the moment, as he has taken to curling up in his water dish (had to find a big one as he didn't quite fit in his drinking bowl - silly snake!). He's beautiful and not the least bit aggressive although he would hiss at me when I first got him when trying to take him out. I have a ball python (almost three years old and fasting at the moment) and a Jungle Carpet (8 months old - beautiful and fun snake - long, super skinny tail and fast as a whip, have to keep a close eye on her as she is always trying to find ways of hiding!). All are great snakes and east to work with although the carpet was a bit cage aggressive when she first got here but now is pretty laid back - she's a little doll (think that I would like to have more carpets).

I have a Nicaraguan. I wanted a boa, something a little different than a ball python. I didn't want an animal as large as a Colombian, so a CA seemed to be a good choice. Well, due to their smaller size they tend to be fairly nervous/agressive. If I had known this, I would've made room for a Colombian.
Just food for thought.

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My boa was a little nervous/shy at first and he hissed when he didn't want to be bothered. But I paid a lot of attention to him - took him out frequently and let him explore the house and surroundings. He is now very laid back and only occasionally will jump when I pick him up (usually when he is getting into someplace that he shouldn't). My snakes are pets and I treat them as such - I have them out a lot and let them crawl almost anywhere that they want ( my little carpet decided to crawl into my tshirt sleeve last night and settle on my stomach as I was sitting with her and that felt kinda strange - silly snake). They are great pets and I bet with some time will calm down - patience is key. I retired a month ago and I now find that I have the time to fret over them and ensure that all is good for them (probably take better care of them than myself!).

Go pick out a nice BCI and enjoy it. You won't regret it. They grow so slowly compared to other larger snakes that you will have plenty of time to get used to it. By the time they reach full size you might even be clammoring for a retic or burm!

I too was worried about a boa being too big before I bought my first one years and years ago. I kept expecting to look into his cage and see her double in size over night. Yet it's now almost 5 years later and my biggest boa is just now reaching 7ft.