What Boa should I choose?

Hi guys! So I' e never owned a Boa before, only a BP but I've decided I want a bigger, slightly more active, intermediate level snake. I settled on a type of boa, just not sure which type! What do you guys think would be a good beginner Boa? I've got time before I actually plan on getting the snake so I want to do as much research as possible.


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I went to a red tail boa when i got a boa. She was sold to a friend 7 months later because i just simply wasn't as into her as i feel she deserved.

But she was a hypo rtb female, i don't remember the locale. Ate fabulously was really sweet. She seemed to get a little grumpy if not handled for more than a week so i had to make time to be sure she remained friendly.

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How large of an adult Boa do you feel you would want to have? Do you like dark Boas or light Boas? Do you plan on ever getting a mate for it and breeding it or will it always just be a pet? How much money do you think you will want to spend?

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Originally Posted by Aedryan Methyus

How large of an adult Boa do you feel you would want to have? Do you like dark Boas or light Boas? Do you plan on ever getting a mate for it and breeding it or will it always just be a pet? How much money do you think you will want to spend?

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I want a good sized one, at least 8' but not as monstrous and aggressive as a Reticulated Python (which is why I chose Boas since they don't tend to be very aggressive adults)

I'd like done with nice contracting colors, like the cream colored ones with the dark, deep red tails.

Breeding isn't really in my plans, though it could change, it's not something really want or need as of now.

As for cost. For the needs of the snake (tank, heating, etc.), I'm not concerned with, as I will pay whatever price I need to to care for it. The snake itself I'd like to be under 500$

I'm currently looking at Suriname Red Tails, but I love the coloring of Dominican Red Mountain Boas too.


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While generally on the smaller size of boas because the morph was based in central american lines (which tend to be smaller than their columbian and true red tail cousins) - check out a Blood Boa (Blood is a morph) - that way you get the ease of care of a boa with the coloration of the Dominican Mountain Boas.

here's a link - http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/bloodboas.html

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

While generally on the smaller size of boas because the morph was based in central american lines (which tend to be smaller than their columbian and true red tail cousins) - check out a Blood Boa (Blood is a morph) - that way you get the ease of care of a boa with the coloration of the Dominican Mountain Boas.

here's a link - http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/bloodboas.html

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Are Dominican Red Mountain Boas more difficult to care for? I personally like the calico morph of them, so if I got one, I'd probably shoot for that (assuming it isn't out of my price range), I haven't looked at any care sheets for them yet as I was going to do one of them, and one of a Suriname Red Tail and compare the two to see which would be better for me, and I only just finished the care sheet for a Suriname (which I put on the other thread you and I have been talking on).


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So now I'm thinking a Silver Colombian BCI, which is a common BCI from what I can tell. Would this be good for my first Boa? I love the color, and I was originally recommended a BCI in the first place, so I figure this would be good for my first Boa?


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My first boa was a common Imperator. The beautiful coloration and personality were what lured me in. Yes Imperators make awesome first boas.

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Originally Posted by Randall L Turner Jr

My first boa was a common Imperator. The beautiful coloration and personality were what lured me in. Yes Imperators make awesome first boas.

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See, I originally decided on a Suriname Red Tail because of the beautiful colors. I like the light cream colors with the dark red but someone told me they are a lot less forgiving when it comes to husbandry and they are 500$+ and my spending limit on the snake itself is 250 so I got worried I'm not skilled enough to care for one and I wouldn't be able to afford it so I started looking at other Boas that have a contrasting colors like that and the silver Colombian/common BCIs seem to have somewhat similar colors if I'm correct.


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If you want a great looking, hearty, awesome imperator, you should look at Baranquilla Colombians. You can also find a large swath of morphs with great vibrant colors in that price range.

If you do decide to get a Suriname, they really aren't much more difficult to keep and raise well when compared to Imperators. Outside of being more delicate when it comes to feeding (which is somewhat overblown by some) they are very much alike Imperators in care requirements. If your heart is set on a Suriname you should save up and get what you really want.

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Originally Posted by Randall L Turner Jr

If you want a great looking, hearty, awesome imperator, you should look at Baranquilla Colombians. You can also find a large swath of morphs with great vibrant colors in that price range.

If you do decide to get a Suriname, they really aren't much more difficult to keep and raise well when compared to Imperators. Outside of being more delicate when it comes to feeding (which is somewhat overblown by some) they are very much alike Imperators in care requirements. If your heart is set on a Suriname you should save up and get what you really want.

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Thanks, I really needed to hear that. Upon researching myself, I'm seeing prices 150-250$ for Surinames so I'm not sure why this other person was telling me differently. I think I will go with a Suriname as I've already done some research about them, and I really just needed some re-encouragement on getting one.


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I wasn't sure what you meant when you said 'silver' Bi (was BCi) - I assume you mean an anery morph? Just be aware, any boa (Bi and Bc) will still yellow up with age, anerys normally do turn light tan, they don't stay silver/gray into adulthood.

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Originally Posted by OneEyedFox

Thanks, I really needed to hear that. Upon researching myself, I'm seeing prices 150-250$ for Surinames so I'm not sure why this other person was telling me differently. I think I will go with a Suriname as I've already done some research about them, and I really just needed some re-encouragement on getting one.

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Where are you seeing them so cheap? Possibly wholesalers or WC/farmed babies? just be careful of what source you use.
Surinams are normally more expensive ($300-800) because people want to be able to trace the lineage stock.
They are beautiful, that's for sure.

I do agree with the advise to get what you really want because in the long run you will probably be happier. I'm glad you are doing research ahead of time.
In the other thread where we were talking, you kept asking about adult cage size which was provided, normally a 4x2 (4x2x1, 4x2x18", 4x2x2) will suffice as an adult size cage. For an adult surinam female which can get up to 10' or so, a 6'x2' would be a better option (or 8x2 if you have the room and funds).

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

I wasn't sure what you meant when you said 'silver' Bi (was BCi) - I assume you mean an anery morph? Just be aware, any boa (Bi and Bc) will still yellow up with age, anerys normally do turn light tan, they don't stay silver/gray into adulthood.



Where are you seeing them so cheap? Possibly wholesalers or WC/farmed babies? just be careful of what source you use.
Surinams are normally more expensive ($300-800) because people want to be able to trace the lineage stock.
They are beautiful, that's for sure.

I do agree with the advise to get what you really want because in the long run you will probably be happier. I'm glad you are doing research ahead of time.
In the other thread where we were talking, you kept asking about adult cage size which was provided, normally a 4x2 (4x2x1, 4x2x18", 4x2x2) will suffice as an adult size cage. For an adult surinam female which can get up to 10' or so, a 6'x2' would be a better option (or 8x2 if you have the room and funds).

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Sunset snakes has them for 169 (they're sold out but that's the price), Underground Reptiles has them for 149 (I've heard bad things about them though), Backwater Reptiles has hatchlings for 174, I don't care much about "true bloodline" I just really like the look and size of them and they're just a regular BC with a specific locality so they shouldn't be much harder to care for. If you have any breeders that you could recommend, I'd love to look at some more prices.

As for the enclosure, I was going to go with a 4x3x1 or a 4x3x2, which would give the same floor space as a 6x2, just a bigger depth/width, for an adult, and either use the 20 gal tank I have laying around my house, or order a t8 from AP for while it's still young since I plan on getting it as a baby so I can "grow with it" per se. I'm planning out the enclosure for the baby rn so I can start getting it all together, advice is greatly appreciated since I want to provide the best home possible for my first big noodle.

I would really love a detailed description of anyone's setup for their baby Boa including tank size, substrate, where you got your tank, how you heat your tank, etc. I could really use a detailed description as I'm kinda in the limbo with everything. I have an idea, it's just not clear yet. I'm really leaning toward a t8 so I can start moving away from using aquariums. Once I get a clear concrete plan, I'll post it to see what you guys think and hopefully get any yay or nays on it.


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Brazilian Rainbow Boa! so pretty, so iridescent! - https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ates-cenchria)

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach..._20101017b.JPG
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...resdefault.jpg

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Originally Posted by OneEyedFox

Sunset snakes has them for 169 (they're sold out but that's the price), Underground Reptiles has them for 149 (I've heard bad things about them though), Backwater Reptiles has hatchlings for 174, I don't care much about "true bloodline" I just really like the look and size of them and they're just a regular BC with a specific locality so they shouldn't be much harder to care for. If you have any breeders that you could recommend, I'd love to look at some more prices.

As for the enclosure, I was going to go with a 4x3x1 or a 4x3x2, which would give the same floor space as a 6x2, just a bigger depth/width, for an adult, and either use the 20 gal tank I have laying around my house, or order a t8 from AP for while it's still young since I plan on getting it as a baby so I can "grow with it" per se. I'm planning out the enclosure for the baby rn so I can start getting it all together, advice is greatly appreciated since I want to provide the best home possible for my first big noodle.

I would really love a detailed description of anyone's setup for their baby Boa including tank size, substrate, where you got your tank, how you heat your tank, etc. I could really use a detailed description as I'm kinda in the limbo with everything. I have an idea, it's just not clear yet. I'm really leaning toward a t8 so I can start moving away from using aquariums. Once I get a clear concrete plan, I'll post it to see what you guys think and hopefully get any yay or nays on it.


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Forgot how to edit posts but I wanted to add this in, I am thinking about getting the t8 for the boa while it's a baby and then once it's bigger and I move it to a bigger tank (maybe a t20) I can put my BP in the t8 and sell my ExoTerra I have my BP in. What do you guys think?


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Originally Posted by OneEyedFox

Sunset snakes has them for 169 (they're sold out but that's the price), Underground Reptiles has them for 149 (I've heard bad things about them though), Backwater Reptiles has hatchlings for 174...

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Those will likely be wild-caught or captive-born (from a wild-caught female) imports that will need a vet visit to treat for internal parasites. I would not recommend a WC BCC neonate for someone who has never kept a boa before.

Since you're new to purchasing snakes from online sellers I'd strongly recommend reading this:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...g-Herps-Online

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Those will likely be wild-caught or captive-born (from a wild-caught female) imports that will need a vet visit to treat for internal parasites. I would not recommend a WC BCC neonate for someone who has never kept a boa before.

Since you're new to purchasing snakes from online sellers I'd strongly recommend reading this:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...g-Herps-Online

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Well could you recommend any breeders? I could use some to look into.


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Originally Posted by OneEyedFox

Well could you recommend any breeders? I could use some to look into.

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Depends on whether you want to go with a BI morph or a BC locality such as Peruvian or Suriname.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Depends on whether you want to go with a BI morph or a BC locality such as Peruvian or Suriname.

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I want a BC locality no doubt!


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If you're on Facebook check out the groups "Pure-Locality-Boas" and "Classifieds - Pure Locality Boas". The former has tons of eye candy and reputable breeders who post pictures, litters, pairings, etc. so you'll have an idea of who is working with what. The latter is the affiliated buy/sell group.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

If you're on Facebook check out the groups "Pure-Locality-Boas" and "Classifieds - Pure Locality Boas". The former has tons of eye candy and reputable breeders who post pictures, litters, pairings, etc. so you'll have an idea of who is working with what. The latter is the affiliated buy/sell group.

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Ah! I actually don't have FB cause Au don't like all of the drama that comes with it but I'll see if I can use a friends'


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I know he specializes in rainbows, but Dave at rainbows-r-us had BCIs available, starting ~200.

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