Which Boa?

[ChompsBP]

Im looking to get a boa in the near future. I want something a little bigger then my male BP. My question is which boa should I go with. I want something that is about 6 ft full length. Can you guys help me out with finding a boa for me?

[wetceal]

There are a few different choices you have in the parameters you want. I would definitely recommend a male if you want it to stay in the 6 to 7 feet long range. Colombian Boas are great and have a pretty good temperment. Some other good choices include Hogg Island Boas, Dumeril's Boas, Argentine Boas, and even Brazilian Rainbow Boas.

Of the different kinds of Boas I mentioned, Brazilian Rainbow Boas are going to be a little higher maintenance. They require a little bit higher humidity levels and closer monitoring of temperature/humidity. They are also a little nippier as babies but can calm down nicely with time and patience.

All the boas I mentioned above have very different looks to them so I would recommend that you look at a bunch of photos of them and if you can find somewhere local where you can actually see them in person and handle them to see which appeals to you the most, that would be ideal.

I hope this helps. Whatever you decide to get, I'm sure you'll love it since boas really are great (they are my favorite )

Thanks,
Celia

[mr~python]

whatabout hog island boas? i would look into them.

i woudnt get a male of a species hoping it would stay smaller than females. be prepared to handle the snakes size as large as it can possibly get no matter what gender.

[ChompsBP]

Thanks alot guys, im really liking the hog island boa because it is beautiful and the size averages 4-6 feet. One other question, how calm/nice are these boas?

[fish21]

hogs after a little tlc will become just as calm as any other bci. as babies they tend to be a little on the nippy side but that soon fades. i know you dont want anything that is to big. but i would go with a male bci columbian. 5-6 ft tops if you feed right. all of mine are around that size. and are dog tame. also for what a nice hog goes for you could buy a nice hypo columbain. just my .02
matt fisher

[JimiSnakes]

My experience is if you want a six foot snake, no matter what you do, you will end up with a monster. If you wanted a monster sized snake, you will end up with a six footer. Boas sizes are so unpredictable that you really shouldn't worry about it. Go with the locale that you like and just feed it and take care of it right. You won't be disappointed in any way. A six foot boa isn't much more of a chore than a eight foot boa. I my opinion, the varients are comparable. From 6-8 foot there really isn't too much more of a hassle anywhere to even be said. 8-10, 10-12, the same thing. It's when you get into the Burms and retics sizes that you need to worry, but then you should know that before hand, rightio? My eight foot boas are not any more of a hassle or problem than my six foot boas in any way. The BCI is a heavy snake regardless, and they know it and are usually much more gentle once they reach that size anyways. I would trust my large Boas with anyone over the smaller ones any day of the week. They know they are strong and large and are calmer and less apt to squeeze or strike when they are full size. Just my .02cents though. Good luck!

[Rapture]

I agree, I don't think there's much of a difference between a 6 or 8 foot boa... both can be kept in the same size enclosure witht he same supplies, and I don't think that kind of percentage difference will be noticeable when handling either. I would be more focused on making sure to socialize it. A naughty 6-footer is a lot harder to deal with than a sweet 10-footer.

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

Male hoggs if fed well enough will still reach the full 6' length over time. I would also recomend a mainland honduran boa, a nic boa, or most any Island Locality like Cay or Crawls.

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

I would also like to add that an Argentine boa would NOT be a good boa in that range. An 8' 35-40 lb argie isn't uncommon from what I have heard.

[jcaustralia]

I would also like to add that an Argentine boa would NOT be a good boa in that range. An 8' 35-40 lb argie isn't uncommon from what I have heard.

i will agree on that one, though very pretty and i would own them again, caging permited, i do not recomend them for a first boa. they like to play with their keepers by hissing and giving the apperance of biting. the femal i had was about 10 feet and weighed alot!