BC Boa Info Needed

Hi everyone! So as I said in one of my previous posts I am looking to get a BC boa soonish. I am probably going to wait until after all this COVID craziness, that way if something does potentially go wrong all the available resources will be open. That being said, I still want to start doing a much research as possible, and what better way than to ask actual keepers. Let me know how you keep your boas whether they are BC's, BI's, or are another species of boa entirely. While I may be looking at BC's specifically, I am sure information about other species will help others as well. Like I said above, I want to do as much research as possible so all information (unless it is incorrect) is greatly appreciated.

Hi Great that your thinking of getting a bc.
I keep a Guyana bc he's in a 4ft at the mo with branches, a shelf which he loves and on coco bedding and orchid bark mix as substrate to keep the humidity up
I have boa longicauda in similar set up, aswell as boa imperator, I keep all mine on substrate, except the small baby's who are on paper towel

My corn Islands love there branches aswell
My longicauda. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5b3bbc17fb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5ad2b5bdac.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...19357c278b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...71d516fbcb.jpg

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Thanks Richard! If you don't mind me asking, what are your humidity and temps for your Guyana?

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

Thanks Richard! If you don't mind me asking, what are your humidity and temps for your Guyana?

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I keep him 90 hot end and 80 cool end, normally humidity around 60 but when I see him going into shed I increase to around 75, I like to take some of the reptichip and resoak it, I find that the best way to increase it, good luck

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

I keep him 90 hot end and 80 cool end, normally humidity around 60 but when I see him going into shed I increase to around 75, I like to take some of the reptichip and resoak it, I find that the best way to increase it, good luck

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Thanks! I hope I will be able to get one before the end of summer but we'll see.

I keep my boas (BI and BCO) pretty much the same as Rich. My hot spot is 88-90, my cool side is 75-80, and my humidity ranges anywhere from 30-60% depending on the season. Best wishes with whatever critter you choose. :snake:

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I keep my boas (BI and BCO) pretty much the same as Rich. My hot spot is 88-90, my cool side is 75-80, and my humidity ranges anywhere from 30-60% depending on the season. Best wishes with whatever critter you choose. :snake:

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Thanks Ziggy!

Behira and Jeff, my BI's, I keep 87-90F hot spot and a 78-80F cool side. Feliz, my BC, has similar temp range.

Humidity is 45-65% depending on the year, but is always raised when in shed to about 65-75%. Boas are pretty tough, but BC's require proper husbandry a little more than BI's to stay healthy and happy.

I would aim for 55%+ humidity average for a BC, but temps can be in the 80-92F range throughout the tank (and yes, cooler is ok on the cool side, even down to 77-78F). I keep my tanks hot spots about 90F tops because none of the boas have any trouble digesting at that temp, or even down to 86-87F, and that gives me margin for error on the up side. Remember, too hot is not good either. Boas, like other reptiles, can suffer and even die if exposed to heat that is too high.

They key for my boas is gradient. They spend a lot of time moving around from hot to cool and spend even more time in the middle where the temp is about 82-84F.

Make sure your tank is large enough/properly heated so that a solid gradient can exist.

If you do that and keep humidity in a good range, you should be all set.

Correct me if I am wrong, but it is looking like their care is fairly similar to bp's just less forgiving and on a bigger scale.

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

Correct me if I am wrong, but it is looking like their care is fairly similar to bp's just less forgiving and on a bigger scale.

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I'd say boa imperator would be similar but slightly more humid for a bc

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

Correct me if I am wrong, but it is looking like their care is fairly similar to bp's just less forgiving and on a bigger scale.

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I agree with Rich. Similar for BI - but more humidity and even more for a BC.

Also feeding schedules and growth rates are very different. As is food response.

Boas are garbage disposals and eat anything live or F/T. However you will want to hook train a boa.

Yeah I am definitely planning to hook train. I can imagine a bite from a boa could do some pretty good damage.

Highly recommend this text if you plan to work with boas. This is essentially the Bible for the Boa genus

https://www.amazon.com/The-More-Comp.../dp/1938850297


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I will definitely check out this Boa Bible.

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Highly recommend this text if you plan to work with boas. This is essentially the Bible for the Boa genus

https://www.amazon.com/The-More-Comp.../dp/1938850297


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I agree best book available! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...aa5069e3f0.jpg


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So I know that ball pythons should be started out in a smaller terrarium and I guessing the same applies for boas. I am definitely going to do a quarantine bin so what would be a good sized bin for a baby BC? Also at what size/age can you move them to an adult enclosure?

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

So I know that ball pythons should be started out in a smaller terrarium and I guessing the same applies for boas. I am definitely going to do a quarantine bin so what would be a good sized bin for a baby BC? Also at what size/age can you move them to an adult enclosure?

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Boas are usually not as shy as BP's. In fact, they are usually no where near as shy and are more adventurous and curious.

They also rarely refuse a meal, so you have gauge stress in other ways, although I imagine a severely stressed Boa wouldn't eat either.

My two cents is that a Boa will do fine in a large enclosure as young boa, PROVIDED, they are given plenty of hiding spaces and maybe even block the front of the tank. For what that's worth, I have drapes over all my boa tanks to prevent food striking at the acrylic doors when I walk by at night :). Did I mention food drive is good with boas? This also means, since I have Boaphiles/PVC tanks, that all 4 walls are closed/dark. This adds to security.

Jeff, my male VPI+ Sunglow Motley Jungle BI, has been in his "for life" 6X2' since about 200G and off quarantine. He's eating like a pig and is growing like a weed and calm as can be when handled. Where as Behira, my 4 year old BI who is about 2KG, has 4 hides, and could have two, Jeff has 6 and they are arranged so the tank is cluttered and he doesn't have to go far to be in a hide.

IMO - the benefits of a PVC tank versus a cheaper temporary tank greatly outweigh any stress the boa might have from being in a larger enclosure.

I would get one tank that will house your animal as an adult and put them there after quarantine.

I am sure others have different opinions, but this has worked for me. I would not do the same for a young BP, hognose, etc. for what's it worth. However, it has worked for me with corn snakes, Carpet Pythons, boas, and even an adolescent BP - female about 500G (lots of clutter again).

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

So I know that ball pythons should be started out in a smaller terrarium and I guessing the same applies for boas. I am definitely going to do a quarantine bin so what would be a good sized bin for a baby BC? Also at what size/age can you move them to an adult enclosure?

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It depends on the species. I had my locality BI (BCI) in a 4 x 2 x 14" before the age of 1 year.

I would wait longer for some, but not all of the true red tail species.

Although my boa is a natural cross between the two, BC and BI species. You will be able to read that in the book.

A very early version of this particular cage. The royal python has it now.
https://i.imgur.com/aws6p67.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/FhXRY70.jpg

The boa occupies a 4' x 30" deep by 20" tall cage. The biggest mistake I've made here is not opting for a 2 foot tall cage. He still climbs and the cage is a very nice fit, but the extra 4 inches of height would have been nice.
https://i.imgur.com/y2rbr6k.jpg


If you are on the fence between BI and BC, this is a Barranquilla, Colombian BI.
https://i.imgur.com/E1gHrhX.jpg

One of the most beautiful BI's out there. I'm not saying that because he's mine, I'm saying it because you can get the BC beauty with the BI hardiness.

Although an Argentine or Peruvian BC can handle a lot.

I think I'll get the adult enclosure like you suggested and make sure to black out the sides. Upgrading terrariums can be a pain.

I saw the Barranquilla BCI on MorphMarket and I have to admit I was very intrigued. I'll definitely look into them.

How much of an emergency saving should I have for the snake? Things go wrong in shipping, or the snake could get sick, or have parasites.

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

How much of an emergency saving should I have for the snake? Things go wrong in shipping, or the snake could get sick, or have parasites.

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I would say $1,000 as a fairly worst case scenario, but I spent more when I got Yafe (carpet python) who had a full blown RI after fed ex lost him.

However, buying from a reputable breeder means the risk of a sick snake, certainly with parasites, etc. is much lower. Also, with Boas, captive bred is pretty easy to come by and that reduces the parasite risk a lot too.

I don't remember if you decided on a Boa breeder, type, or a particular snake yet, but if you want to PM me, I can point you in some good directions breeder wise.

However, I cannot emphasis enough buying from a good breeder. Also, quarantine is a must with any new reptile.

This is just straight curiosity and will probably not affect the subspecies I choose, but... what do you guys think is the best looking species of BC boa? I know their is going to be plenty of bias as everyone likes different things but I am curious to see what most people look for in a boa.

Really depends on everyone's individual taste, to me I love the red tails on bc and I also love the bat saddles or peaks on some of the amazing surinam locality, but bc are really hard to come by in the uk
Im realy please with my Guyana and would love a Peruvian bc as the gold against the red tail is outstanding

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http://https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...2_14_thumb.jpg

I'm partial to Suriname/Guyana types but find beauty in all of the natural boas.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...eda18b58cb.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...49c7539c33.jpg

I’m biased towards Surinam boas as well, and also Argentines as those are the only BC sp/ssp I have in my care. Pucallpa Peruvian boas are absolutely stunning in my opinion though.


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...eda18b58cb.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...49c7539c33.jpg

I’m biased towards Surinam boas as well, and also Argentines as those are the only BC sp/ssp I have in my care. Pucallpa Peruvian boas are absolutely stunning in my opinion though.


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That pair really are stunning [emoji7][emoji7][emoji1786][emoji1786][emoji1786]

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