Sunset Boa (Hog Island)

I spent some time today at the local Repticon picking up some supplies and food for my BP. For some reason, I’ve been thinking I want to get a 2nd snake and I’m leaning towards a Hog Island Boa. There’s so many beautiful BPs out there but I think I want something a little bigger and with a little more personality. Found this guy at Repticon but was hesitant to pull the trigger. I’m the kind of person who needs to do their research and have everything set up beforehand.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f0856f5e1d.jpg

To anyone who owns a Hog Island, I would love to get your opinions.

Also found this scaless BP for just 13k ;)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...84fc9d9492.jpg


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Wow that boa is rediccc!!

you didn’t get it ?!?

are you thinking of having it sent to you ? Is it a true hog island? Any info on it. Breeder etc?

i just got a dwarf boa myself. Love bps but want more of a mix and collection.

Very pretty baby! Hog isle care is basically the same as a normal common Bi, they can do fine with slightly lower temps, I keep my pair with a hot spot around 86. As an adult should do just fine in a 4x2 enclosure.

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

Is it a true hog island?

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It's a sunset which means it's a locality cross of a hypo Bi and a hog isle Bi. Most hypo lines came from animals from Panama and it was very heavily bred into Colombian localities.

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

Very pretty baby! Hog isle care is basically the same as a normal common Bi, they can do fine with slightly lower temps, I keep my pair with a hot spot around 86. As an adult should do just fine in a 4x2 enclosure.



It's a sunset which means it's a locality cross of a hypo Bi and a hog isle Bi. Most hypo lines came from animals from Panama and it was very heavily bred into Colombian localities.

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Ahhh ok thank you! Do you have true hog islands or mixed?

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

you didn’t get it ?!?

are you thinking of having it sent to you ? Is it a true hog island? Any info on it. Breeder etc?

i just got a dwarf boa myself. Love bps but want more of a mix and collection.

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no, I didn’t pull the trigger because I’m not yet ready. Still waiting on my AP cage that I ordered 2-3 months ago. Plus I feel more research is needed on my part. This looked to be a small time breeder who happens to live close to me so no shipping needed if I pull the plug and go with him. I’m not 100% on a Hog Island but they caught my eye a few months ago and I’ve been exploring YouTube videos constantly. I was asking one of the other big time breefers at the show about a Boas temperament compared to a BP and he immediately said most Boas are like puppy dogs. He proceeded to pull some out and gently grab their head and none of them objected or pulled back like most BPs do.

So you’re enjoying your dwarf so far??

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

Very pretty baby! Hog isle care is basically the same as a normal common Bi, they can do fine with slightly lower temps, I keep my pair with a hot spot around 86. As an adult should do just fine in a 4x2 enclosure.

It's a sunset which means it's a locality cross of a hypo Bi and a hog isle Bi. Most hypo lines came from animals from Panama and it was very heavily bred into Colombian localities.

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Thanks April. I don't know much about Hog Islands or other Boas for that matter but I should be up to speed before I make a purchase. Do they need ambient temps on the same line as BPs (high 70s)??? I'll have a 3x1x1 pvc enclosure w/ a UTH & Tstat but sometimes the ambients could dip. That's why I have an AP cage w/ an RHP on the way.

I was kindof like you, I wanted a bigger snake but not keen on the size the boa got. I researched the different types of dwarf Boa's and decided on the Hogg Island Boa. I purchased a hypo Hogg earlier this year and it was the best decision I've made so far. My girl has such a sweet personality and is chill when I handle her. I decided a couple months later to purchase get sister, so now I have 2 wonderful Hogg Island Boa's and couldn't be happier!!!!
Don't get me wrong though, I love my 2 BP's but they don't like being messed with to much as they stress out. My other snake, which is a Hognose is another one I enjoy as he is an absolute clown and makes me laugh all the time.

I wouldn't look pass the Hogg Island Boa. They for the most part are low key for a boa, don't get big and have a great personality. Although, like everything else, there can always be a few grumpy ones out there as well.
Do your research, ask the breeder lots of questions. Ask how big the parents are and what their personality is like? Ask to see pictures or arrange to take a visit and see the parents in person. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

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Originally Posted by Jus1More

I was kindof like you, I wanted a bigger snake but not keen on the size the boa got. I researched the different types of dwarf Boa's and decided on the Hogg Island Boa. I purchased a hypo Hogg earlier this year and it was the best decision I've made so far. My girl has such a sweet personality and is chill when I handle her. I decided a couple months later to purchase get sister, so now I have 2 wonderful Hogg Island Boa's and couldn't be happier!!!!
Don't get me wrong though, I love my 2 BP's but they don't like being messed with to much as they stress out. My other snake, which is a Hognose is another one I enjoy as he is an absolute clown and makes me laugh all the time.

I wouldn't look pass the Hogg Island Boa. They for the most part are low key for a boa, don't get big and have a great personality. Although, like everything else, there can always be a few grumpy ones out there as well.
Do your research, ask the breeder lots of questions. Ask how big the parents are and what their personality is like? Ask to see pictures or arrange to take a visit and see the parents in person. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

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Appreciate the info! Sounds like I'm in the same boat you were in. Do you have any Hog Island breeder recommendations? Any pictures you can share of yours? I would love to see some.

Smart to take your time and feel comfortable. Not many have that control! Good on you for sure. Can’t wait to see what you end up with !

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

no, I didn’t pull the trigger because I’m not yet ready. Still waiting on my AP cage that I ordered 2-3 months ago. Plus I feel more research is needed on my part. This looked to be a small time breeder who happens to live close to me so no shipping needed if I pull the plug and go with him. I’m not 100% on a Hog Island but they caught my eye a few months ago and I’ve been exploring YouTube videos constantly. I was asking one of the other big time breefers at the show about a Boas temperament compared to a BP and he immediately said most Boas are like puppy dogs. He proceeded to pull some out and gently grab their head and none of them objected or pulled back like most BPs do.

So you’re enjoying your dwarf so far??

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ive only had my Caye Caulker for a few days now. She was sent to me Thursday. So she’s in out of sight Out of mind mode ! Lol

peeking in on her and water and all but that’s it.

She was a dream to handle handle when I got her. I’m dying to get her out but I want her settled and a few meals in her. She sort of fell in my lap and I had to take her but I’m glad I did.

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

Ahhh ok thank you! Do you have true hog islands or mixed?

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I have a pair of true hog isles, my male was from Gus at RioBravo and my female was from Chad Duggin, they are great little boas!

One thing to keep in mind is that if you get a sunset (a hog cross) it can attain the same sizes as a common BI. Getting a male should still ensure you a managable sized animal, but he could get 5-6' instead of 4'. Also, some hogs have been known to get larger than they do on their island due to food supply, etc. So if you want a smaller animal, get a male for sure.

I don't have any hogs, but I have a central american motley (CAs tend to stay smaller too), a BCA, and a regular hypo BCI.

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Originally Posted by artgecko

One thing to keep in mind is that if you get a sunset (a hog cross) it can attain the same sizes as a common BI. Getting a male should still ensure you a managable sized animal, but he could get 5-6' instead of 4'. Also, some hogs have been known to get larger than they do on their island due to food supply, etc. So if you want a smaller animal, get a male for sure.

I don't have any hogs, but I have a central american motley (CAs tend to stay smaller too), a BCA, and a regular hypo BCI.

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That's good to know. I haven't narrowed down the exact species yet but I was leaning towards the hog island and this Sunset was the only Hog that I saw at the Atlanta Repticon. Supposedly both parents are under 5 feet. Is it reasonable to think that I can keep one of these on f/t rats. I don't want to feed anything larger like rabbits, etc...

That’s a sweet looking boa,great colour , good luck if getting it, don’t think you will be disappointed


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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

. Is it reasonable to think that I can keep one of these on f/t rats. I don't want to feed anything larger like rabbits, etc...

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Yes, totally reasonable.
Even my full colombian boas are fine on rats. I fed rabbits once in a while as a treat but they didn't *need* them.
My largest boas get either a large or XL rat. My true hog adults get a medium.

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

Yes, totally reasonable.
Even my full colombian boas are fine on rats. I fed rabbits once in a while as a treat but they didn't *need* them.
My largest boas get either a large or XL rat. My true hog adults get a medium.

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In connection to this. What is your feeding schedule

I usually feed the adult boas once a month, it varies a bit give or take a week here and there.

I feed my adults, large or xl rats once a month, my Nicaraguan are nearly 3 and still on smalls as there’s still only 4-4.5ft long


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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

I feed my adults, large or xl rats once a month, my Nicaraguan are nearly 3 and still on smalls as there’s still only 4-4.5ft long


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How often are you feeding the smaller Nicaraguan ones?

Totally reasonable.

Even my largest, my male BCA at about 5 years old and 5.5' long is on medium rats every 4-6 weeks.

My CA male motley is on small rats or weaned rats every 3-4 weeks. My hypo BCI is on smalls every 3-4 weeks (3.5 years old).

I would say large rats are the biggest item you would need for an adult male boa in most cases. I have ever fed XL or L to my BCA, but he will then wait about 6 weeks before another meal. The really large rats tend to be very fatty, so I don't give them often. You can feed appropriately sized quail too.

If you want a pure-bred hog, or any locality, legacy reptiles and cutting edge herp are good places to look. There are smaller breeders that are reputable too.

My Central American motley male is about 3.5 years old, under 4' and about the width of a broom handle. If you want small, them, or Nicaraguans, or tarahumaras will work well.

My Nicaraguan and my red nics are fed small rats every 2-3 weeks , there never going to be massive anyway

My male 4 year old male motley is only 4ft and fed small rats every 3weeks as , I’ve had since six months


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This my motley https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3b968a5f0a.jpg and my Hypo nic and female red nic https://youtu.be/8ooBrME-gT0 and this my both my red nics(corn islands nics)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3e86d6964d.jpg


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The seller I got my Caye Caulker from was feeding f/t rats about as thick as her middle every 7-10 days. Now she is only 9 months old. Should I keep this pace until she turns 1 and start to stretch it or start to stretch her now?

i keep reading conflicting schedules and reports and im
afriad to do it wrong or cause an issue. I know boas need slower feedings and not huge prey. I also don’t want to underfed. Just want a health happy girl.

I keep weekly till 1 yrs old then 10-14 days till 2 then 3 weeks till 3 then after that 4 weeks all on the appropriate sized food depending on body size,also depending on shed cycle sometimes 5/6 weeks when adult, hope that helps


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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

I keep weekly till 1 yrs old then 10-14 days till 2 then 3 weeks till 3 then after that 4 weeks all on the appropriate sized food depending on body size,also depending on shed cycle sometimes 5/6 weeks when adult, hope that helps


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Excellent. Huge help. TY

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Appreciate the info! Sounds like I'm in the same boat you were in. Do you have any Hog Island breeder recommendations? Any pictures you can share of yours? I would love to see some.

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I don't think you would be interested in my breeder due to that I am in Canada.. Surely there has to be a reptable breeder out near you! What about your local reptile expo's?

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

My Nicaraguan and my red nics are fed small rats every 2-3 weeks , there never going to be massive anyway

My male 4 year old male motley is only 4ft and fed small rats every 3weeks as , I’ve had since six months


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How are their attitudes? There are stories that Nicaraguan Boa's are grumpy and nippy?

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Originally Posted by artgecko

One thing to keep in mind is that if you get a sunset (a hog cross) it can attain the same sizes as a common BI. Getting a male should still ensure you a managable sized animal, but he could get 5-6' instead of 4'. Also, some hogs have been known to get larger than they do on their island due to food supply, etc. So if you want a smaller animal, get a male for sure.

I don't have any hogs, but I have a central american motley (CAs tend to stay smaller too), a BCA, and a regular hypo BCI.

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Yes Artgecko, this is very true!!! That's why it is a good idea to see the parents so you know just how big they are... And yes a male for sure would be best if you want to knock off a foot or so compared to a female. :gj:

Mine have have never hissed or nipped me or shown any aggression, but they love there food and think you got food for them every time,lol


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Originally Posted by Jus1More

How are their attitudes? There are stories that Nicaraguan Boa's are grumpy and nippy?

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My CA motley male (basically a Nic. mutt) has always been calm and easy going. no hissing or nipping. That said, I've heard it is more common for smaller locality / island boas to be nippier / more defensive just because they are smaller and more likely to be eaten in the wild. That said, it really all comes down to individual animal. If you want a really easy going one, make sure you deal with a good breeder and request the calmest baby. Some breeders don't handle theirs a lot (especially if they deal in large numbers) so it may be hard to know what you're getting.

Sonoran is another locality that stays really small and there are leopard and hypo sonorans as well.

I agree with artgecko if you go to a small breeder who knows and handles there snakes more often, they generally produce more friendly babies, when I had my litter last year I made sure I handled them every other day unless in shed or after a feed to make sure they was all calm , all my buyers loved how relaxed they was when handled


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by artgecko

My CA motley male (basically a Nic. mutt) has always been calm and easy going. no hissing or nipping. That said, I've heard it is more common for smaller locality / island boas to be nippier / more defensive just because they are smaller and more likely to be eaten in the wild. That said, it really all comes down to individual animal. If you want a really easy going one, make sure you deal with a good breeder and request the calmest baby. Some breeders don't handle theirs a lot (especially if they deal in large numbers) so it may be hard to know what you're getting.

Sonoran is another locality that stays really small and there are leopard and hypo sonorans as well.

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My best friend got a sonoran het leopard boa and that snake was the meanest boa I've ever met. The Sonorans have a thing when it comes to their enclosures. Everytime my friend went to get her out the boa would hiss at her with open mouth ready to pounce. I called that boa "Chain-saw Mary" because she literally wanted to slice your arm in half....LOL, that thing was nuts!!

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Appreciate the info! Sounds like I'm in the same boat you were in. Do you have any Hog Island breeder recommendations? Any pictures you can share of yours? I would love to see some.

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Sorry for the delay, I really suck at uploading photos.. Here are my 2 girls, but it's hard to see just how beautiful they both are from these pics. My second girl has much more orange color than my first girl who is a lot lighter. Hopefully you decide to get a Hog Island Boa yourself. They are wonderful boa's....https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...29e6a782a0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...356f9f29e5.jpg

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