Beautiful New Female [emoji41]

Hey guys, so today I picked up my first boa constrictor and I’ve already fallen in love with her. I’ve always had ball pythons growing up and to have a snake as inquisitive and adventurous as her is a blessing from what I’m used to.

Unfortunately, I have zero information on her history so I’m hoping you guys could help me make some informed guesses based off what little info I have. I’m assuming she is just a common boa, not sure of BCC vs BCI. I did a rough measurement and she is 30-35 inches long and has been feeding on f/t adult mice. I don’t have her birthdate so that’s a complete toss up. I plan to weigh her in the coming days once she’s become more acclimated with the move. If you all can give me any information on her from what you can see in pictures, that would be greatly appreciated!

Hopefully a name to come soon. I might go with a Greek goddess name. Or I could keep with the Game of Thrones characters and name her Khaleesi. Who knows, this is always the hardest part of owning a pet for me. [emoji28]

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Congrats on your new addition, she is beautiful. Although I am not the person who can tell you what type of boa she is exactly, I am sure someone here who knows will chime in soon.

I myself am a big BP lover but I recently just purchased a Hog Island Boa and now im thinking why did i wait so long to add her to my collection? She is such a sweetheart and becoming one of my favorites. As far as names, I would recommend one that you like and makes you smile every time you look at her. I named my boa Raina which means Queen in Latin.
All the best my friend! :)

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Originally Posted by Jus1More

Congrats on your new addition, she is beautiful. Although I am not the person who can tell you what type of boa she is exactly, I am sure someone here who knows will chime in soon.

I myself am a big BP lover but I recently just purchased a Hog Island Boa and now im thinking why did i wait so long to add her to my collection? She is such a sweetheart and becoming one of my favorites. As far as names, I would recommend one that you like and makes you smile every time you look at her. I named my boa Raina which means Queen in Latin.
All the best my friend! :)

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My thoughts exactly! I love my BPs but if there’s one thing I could change, it would be that I got a boa much much sooner. So much personality to them. I’m excited to see the feeding response as well. Those Hog Islands are beautiful no doubt. It was actually what I was aiming to get in the first place. But the heart wants what it wants and I fell in love with her without warning. Love the name you picked!


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Congratulations! She is beautiful! Definitely a joy to handle compared to Ball Pythons, isn't she? I would say she is probably a BCI and judging by her size, I would guess that she is probably around 18 months old. All of the speckling and her blue eyes make me think she might have something going on with her genes, but I couldn't tell you what...

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Originally Posted by Aedryan Methyus

Congratulations! She is beautiful! Definitely a joy to handle compared to Ball Pythons, isn't she? I would say she is probably a BCI and judging by her size, I would guess that she is probably around 18 months old. All of the speckling and her blue eyes make me think she might have something going on with her genes, but I couldn't tell you what...

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So much more enjoyable to handle! Like night and day. Her colorations have really thrown me for a loop like you said. Such an immense amount of speckling. The camera doesn’t pick it up very well but she has a very large amount of pink that runs the sides of her body as well. Very interesting looking snake to say the least.


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there is no such thing as a boa constrictor imperator.

there are boa constrictors and there are boa imperators

I think most people are aware of the reclassification by now... BCI/BI... BCC/BC... Nonetheless, they are both Boa Constrictors no matter how you say it...

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Originally Posted by Aedryan Methyus

I think most people are aware of the reclassification by now... BCI/BI... BCC/BC... Nonetheless, they are both Boa Constrictors no matter how you say it...

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wait, what? the entire point of the reclassification is that they are no longer subspecies and so are in actuality not both under the 'constrictor' umbrella

so your point is that they've been reclassified but are in spite of that actually what they were before being reclassified? lol


they are not both boa constrictors no matter how you say it. herpetologists who study genetic and other differences in animals and how these relate to their taxonomic grouping have established and reached consensus of this fact

so, no. they're not.

I'm afraid, yes... Yes, they are... An Imperator is merely a species of Boa Constrictor from a different locale. I think a lot of people would agree with that. Should we also split hairs and no longer consider Super Dwarf Retics to be Reticulated Pythons simply because they are a smaller species from a different locale? Regardless, I think most people on here are quite aware of the differences between Imperator and Red Tail Boas, whether we split hairs and refer to them as BCI/BI or BCC/BC. The "reclassification" is old news and i've talked with a lot of people much more knowledgeable than myself, who disagree with it...

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Originally Posted by Aedryan Methyus

I'm afraid, yes... Yes, they are... An Imperator is merely a species of Boa Constrictor from a different locale. I think a lot of people would agree with that. Should we also split hairs and no longer consider Super Dwarf Retics to be Reticulated Pythons simply because they are a smaller species from a different locale? Regardless, I think most people on here are quite aware of the differences between Imperator and Red Tail Boas, whether we split hairs and refer to them as BCI/BI or BCC/BC. The "reclassification" is old news and i've talked with a lot of people much more knowledgeable than myself, who disagree with it...

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no they're not. if they were they would have remained a subspecies. [personal attack removed]

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Originally Posted by meshuga

no they're not. if they were they would have remained a subspecies. [personal attack removed]

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For this to be the internet, you really are starting to get hostile and take it personal. Absolutely no need for that. Either way this is far from what I was trying to accomplish with this post. How about we keep the arguing to a minimum and try to answer some of the other questions I had before this becomes a hate thread shall we?


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Originally Posted by Codil7

For this to be the internet, you really are starting to get hostile and take it personal. Absolutely no need for that. Either way this is far from what I was trying to accomplish with this post. How about we keep the arguing to a minimum and try to answer some of the other questions I had before this becomes a hate thread shall we?


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Exactly... This isn't even what this topic is about. That's fine, though. He clearly won't be around for long with his argumentative [poor] attitude... *shrugs*

Intelligent discussion and thoughtful disagreements are encouraged. Personal attacks are not. Keep it on track, please.

And we can now get back on topic argument is over since the TROLL has been banned PERMANENTLY now.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

And we can now get back on topic argument is over since the TROLL has been banned PERMANENTLY now.

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Thanks for that :). Hopefully that stunt didn't scare off any other potential inputs.

Just look at all the trouble you caused posting pictures of this snake, Codil7! *SMH* :P

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Originally Posted by Aedryan Methyus

Just look at all the trouble you caused posting pictures of this snake, Codil7! *SMH* :P

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Hahaha I had good intentions I promise!


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Congrats on your first boa! I'm sure it won't be your last. I have three, a BCA male, a Central American motley male, and a BCI hypo male. All three are great eaters, curious and calm snakes, and a joy to handle.

Yours looks like a common boa (BCI) in one pic I was thinking maybe anery, but the other pics show warmer brown hues, so I'm thinking you just have a very nice looking normal.
The specking / freckling is a trait of most boas and it varies in amount... my hypo BCI male is quite "dirty" too and has a lot of freckles, but I think it adds character.

I'd agree that yours looks to be ~18 months - 2 years maybe.

I highly suggest using hook / tap training to help your boa learn when it is and is not feeding time. These guys have a crazy high food drive and I have often had to use the hook to bring mine out of food mode (My BCA will slam the glass at any sign of motion when he's hungry).

I would also suggest doing a lot of research into proper feeding schedule. These guys need to be fed a lot more carefully than BPs, as they will get obese quickly resulting in fast growth and a shorter life span. For a boa the age of yours, feeding every ~2 weeks would probably be fine. Most people keep theirs on mice until the boa is large enough to take a small rat and then switch.

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Originally Posted by artgecko

Congrats on your first boa! I'm sure it won't be your last. I have three, a BCA male, a Central American motley male, and a BCI hypo male. All three are great eaters, curious and calm snakes, and a joy to handle.

Yours looks like a common boa (BCI) in one pic I was thinking maybe anery, but the other pics show warmer brown hues, so I'm thinking you just have a very nice looking normal.
The specking / freckling is a trait of most boas and it varies in amount... my hypo BCI male is quite "dirty" too and has a lot of freckles, but I think it adds character.

I'd agree that yours looks to be ~18 months - 2 years maybe.

I highly suggest using hook / tap training to help your boa learn when it is and is not feeding time. These guys have a crazy high food drive and I have often had to use the hook to bring mine out of food mode (My BCA will slam the glass at any sign of motion when he's hungry).

I would also suggest doing a lot of research into proper feeding schedule. These guys need to be fed a lot more carefully than BPs, as they will get obese quickly resulting in fast growth and a shorter life span. For a boa the age of yours, feeding every ~2 weeks would probably be fine. Most people keep theirs on mice until the boa is large enough to take a small rat and then switch.

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Thank you for all the great information! I do agree that after a bit of research, she is more than likely just a pretty normal. Her colors are more true in the last photos versus the first couple. I’m not entirely sure why the camera gave her a grey coloring rather than the actual brown. I personally love the speckles on her. Not many of my other snakes had that and it’s a nice change of scenery for sure.

Without knowing her exact feeding schedule since birth, it has been rather difficult gauging her exact age. But 18 months seems to be a common answer for most people I’ve talked to. To me personally, she shows the length of a boa that age, but not necessarily the girth. Of course feeding would be a huge factor so who knows.

You really aren’t kidding with the food response! I gave her a couple days to settle in before attempting to feed and even then I wasn’t expecting much out of her. But man was I wrong. She came straight out and struck immediately. Something I’m really not used to with my BP history. What a joy! One thing that really surprised me was how active she was following a meal. She fed about 6pm and by 11pm she was already roaming the enclosure again. Definitely not what I was expecting considering the slower metabolism.

Could you give any tips on hook/tap training? Both new concepts for me considering none of my BPs have ever really needed it.


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My Boas are ravenous beasts on feeding day! I let the rats thaw out for a few hours in my snake room and I can't even walk past their racks without them slamming against the front of their tubs. Getting their tubs pulled out without them lunging out and biting me is quite a challenge. My Bloods, Sumatrans and Borneos are the same way... I have to use my hook to pull their tubs out with one hand while at the same time trying to keep the rat between them and myself with the other hand. As far as hook training goes, there isn't much to it. I use it with all of my snakes (even my Balls) from hatchling to adults. Basically, any time you get ready to reach into your snake's enclosures to pick them up, use your snake hook (or any object, really) to touch them or stroke them first (some people recommend touching them on the top of their head). Then just keep your snake hook between the snake's head and your hand as you pick them up. This helps ensure that they are awake and you aren't startling them and at the same time, it conditions the snakes to know that it's not feeding time.

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Originally Posted by Aedryan Methyus

My Boas are ravenous beasts on feeding day! I let the rats thaw out for a few hours in my snake room and I can't even walk past their racks without them slamming against the front of their tubs. Getting their tubs pulled out without them lunging out and biting me is quite a challenge. My Bloods, Sumatrans and Borneos are the same way... I have to use my hook to pull their tubs out with one hand while at the same time trying to keep the rat between them and myself with the other hand. As far as hook training goes, there isn't much to it. I use it with all of my snakes (even my Balls) from hatchling to adults. Basically, any time you get ready to reach into your snake's enclosures to pick them up, use your snake hook (or any object, really) to touch them or stroke them first (some people recommend touching them on the top of their head). Then just keep your snake hook between the snake's head and your hand as you pick them up. This helps ensure that they are awake and you aren't startling them and at the same time, it conditions the snakes to know that it's not feeding time.

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That sounds easy enough. I’ll look into buying a snake hook this week. Until then I’ll probably use a paper towel roll or something similar. I think that’s what I’ve been seeing some people use online and it’s worked fine.

I’m sure since most of you all use rack/tub systems this question might not apply to you all as much, but have any of your boas been big into burrowing? My substrate is a combo of reptibark and eco earth. It seems like every morning I’ll wake up to a brand new system of tunnels she has created the night before with her sleeping in a new area. Very little use of her hide. Last night after feeding she used the hide/heat mat for roughly an hour then she went exploring for a while. This morning I woke to finding the entire cage rearranged with her body buried halfway under her water dish and the rest of her under some logs/plants in the middle of the tank. I’m assuming she’s probably still in feed mode waiting for something else to be dropped in?


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Originally Posted by Codil7

Thank you for all the great information! I do agree that after a bit of research, she is more than likely just a pretty normal. Her colors are more true in the last photos versus the first couple. I’m not entirely sure why the camera gave her a grey coloring rather than the actual brown. I personally love the speckles on her. Not many of my other snakes had that and it’s a nice change of scenery for sure.

Without knowing her exact feeding schedule since birth, it has been rather difficult gauging her exact age. But 18 months seems to be a common answer for most people I’ve talked to. To me personally, she shows the length of a boa that age, but not necessarily the girth. Of course feeding would be a huge factor so who knows.

You really aren’t kidding with the food response! I gave her a couple days to settle in before attempting to feed and even then I wasn’t expecting much out of her. But man was I wrong. She came straight out and struck immediately. Something I’m really not used to with my BP history. What a joy! One thing that really surprised me was how active she was following a meal. She fed about 6pm and by 11pm she was already roaming the enclosure again. Definitely not what I was expecting considering the slower metabolism.

Could you give any tips on hook/tap training? Both new concepts for me considering none of my BPs have ever really needed it.


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I have a couple hooks, a short smaller one and an ~4' long one that I use. I never pick them up with the hooks (can hurt their ribs). Whenever I go into the cage, for any reason other than feeding, I gently stroke them with the hook until they respond that they are aware of it and awake (usually by moving away from the hook). I will also sometimes place the hook between the boa's head and my hands if they seem especially eager to feed that day just as a fail safe (this is more the case with my sketchy carpet than my boas though).

The idea behind it, is that the boa will learn to associate being touched with the hook with you being in their cage or handling them and will then know that food isn't coming. When you feed, never use the hook and also avoid using the hook to touch any food-smelling items, etc. You don't' have to use a hook. If you have an old golf club or even a paper towel or wrapping paper roll you can use those too.

One night, I noticed that my BCA (my most food-driven boa) had taken a dump in his water...it had to be cleaned. He is more aggressive in his feeding responses at night and I had to use the hook for several seconds to get him out of that mind set. It has really saved my skin a few times as he will literally slam the glass of his cage at signs of motion when he is hungry, so sticking my hands in there isn't an option until he knows I'm not food lol.

Hopefully this helps! I'm sure you will love your boa. I have to say that if I had to sell or get rid of most of my collection, I'd keep my 3 boas. You can't beat the personality, climbing, and great feeding responses. They will take f/t day old chicks too btw and some people feed their adult boas different prey items on a rotation like quail and baby rabbits.

With the freckling, she will get more with age (at least mine has). I think it is an interesting trait they have that you don't see in other species.

Finally, if no one has recommended it to you yet, Vin Russo's book "The Complete Boa Constrictor" is a great resource if you can find a copy of it. Great info on feeding, breeding, the different localities, natural habitats, etc.

Congrats on the new boa! Such a cutie.

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Originally Posted by Aedryan Methyus

All of the speckling and her blue eyes make me think she might have something going on with her genes, but I couldn't tell you what...

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normal variation IMO and I agree, Bi (BCi)

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Originally Posted by artgecko

I have a couple hooks, a short smaller one and an ~4' long one that I use. I never pick them up with the hooks (can hurt their ribs). Whenever I go into the cage, for any reason other than feeding, I gently stroke them with the hook until they respond that they are aware of it and awake (usually by moving away from the hook). I will also sometimes place the hook between the boa's head and my hands if they seem especially eager to feed that day just as a fail safe (this is more the case with my sketchy carpet than my boas though).

The idea behind it, is that the boa will learn to associate being touched with the hook with you being in their cage or handling them and will then know that food isn't coming. When you feed, never use the hook and also avoid using the hook to touch any food-smelling items, etc. You don't' have to use a hook. If you have an old golf club or even a paper towel or wrapping paper roll you can use those too.

One night, I noticed that my BCA (my most food-driven boa) had taken a dump in his water...it had to be cleaned. He is more aggressive in his feeding responses at night and I had to use the hook for several seconds to get him out of that mind set. It has really saved my skin a few times as he will literally slam the glass of his cage at signs of motion when he is hungry, so sticking my hands in there isn't an option until he knows I'm not food lol.

Hopefully this helps! I'm sure you will love your boa. I have to say that if I had to sell or get rid of most of my collection, I'd keep my 3 boas. You can't beat the personality, climbing, and great feeding responses. They will take f/t day old chicks too btw and some people feed their adult boas different prey items on a rotation like quail and baby rabbits.

With the freckling, she will get more with age (at least mine has). I think it is an interesting trait they have that you don't see in other species.

Finally, if no one has recommended it to you yet, Vin Russo's book "The Complete Boa Constrictor" is a great resource if you can find a copy of it. Great info on feeding, breeding, the different localities, natural habitats, etc.

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Thanks for all the information, definitely helpful! Hopefully I can find a copy of Vin Russo’s book. I’m sure that would be a great reference to have on hand.

As far as the snake hooks go, I think I’m going to go and buy one of those cheap collapsible ones from petco/petsmart today. For her size now it should work perfectly. I have heard they are pretty flimsy once the snake gets larger so in the meantime I’ll use my handyman skills and hopefully create a much larger one out of an old golf club. Should work just as well and will be a lot cheaper than buying one for $40+ online.

I have taken a few small strikes form my BPs, but something tells me these boas are a completely different ball game. Better safe than sorry! So far she has been everything I wanted out of my BPs and more (don’t tell them that). I’m really excited for what the future will bring.


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So after getting some measurements today, she is approximately 35” long and weighs 352 grams.


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