Thinking about getting a boa

[Megg]

I'm wanting to get into boas, but I'm not sure what kind would be best! I'm wanting something that I can handle on my own when it's an adult (I'm 5'3" and only have experience with BP's). Any ideas? I've heard bad things about RTB's, but I don't know if any of it is true or not (They're aggressive, large, hard to handle, etc.) I do like the Hog Islands, though.
Also, if someone could direct me to a good care guide, and make a suggestion on a breeder, that would be great! I'm planning to wait at least a few months, but I want to start researching and setting stuff up now.

[distaff]

I recommend Vincent Russo's The Complete Boa Constrictor. $60, but worth it. You will get a care guide as well as descriptions of the various localities for snakes in the genus Boa.

Good read.

[Eazyyyb]

I have 2 RTBs are they are a blast. A male would not be larger than 7-8 feet, not sure if that is too big for you or not. As far as aggressiveness, that depends on the animal. My female RTB is a sweet heart, but my male has a bit of an attitude! He is a little difficult to handle because he tries to go in a million different directions and gets angry when i don't let him go where he is trying to go. Very fun snakes though, way different than balls

[Tash]

I am a huge advocate for boas in general. Both of the RTBs that I had were super sweet and never bit me. That isn't to say that they never had a bad day though. Like any animal their personalities are all different but very charming. Much different in my opinion then the ball python I currently own. They are a little more active and inquisitive. I am in the market to get a Dumerils myself, but I am also interested in the Hog Island boas. They stay a bit thinner and smaller and from what I've heard Hogs normally sport pretty good temperaments. Remember males always stay smaller then females so you might want to take that into consideration.

I think boas get a nastier rep because when they do bite it's a bit more intense then a ball python to say the least. They are a bigger snake after all.

[Reinz]

I had misgivings at first myself Megg. But I soon found them to be so untrue.

My 6 ft adult girl is an absolute love! One of the reasons I rescued her was that two toddlers would pull her out of her tub and drag her around everyday.

Don't be put off by the monster size boas you see on the net. Those are the exception and or misfed/overfed ones by power feeding by people feeding their egos rather than taking the health of the animal into account.
The average length for a female BCI is 6-7 ft. Males are usually a half to foot shorter.
As you study you will find some locales are smaller, some larger.

I agree with Distaff about Russo's book, well worth the money and easily found on Amazon.

Don't let anyone talk you out of a Boa. They are really cool and a lot of fun. I love my BP and enjoy her too, but my Boa is just a different experience.

Besides, now you won't have any food go to waste. Boas usually don't refuse food.


Here's Elenore getting some exercise.

[frostysBP]

Love all 4 of my boas...great snakes with great personality

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[Megg]

Thanks, everyone! I'm definitely wanting to get into something with a bit more personality than my BP's (I love them, but they don't do much!). I've always been interested in boas, now it's just a matter of picking a locality, lol... I had no idea there were so many to choose from! Can anyone tell me what size enclosure I'm looking at? I think I've heard 4'x2' and 5'2', and I've also heard they'll climb if you give them something to climb on. I'm kind of planning on setting up a cheap fish tank to start with (assuming I get a juvie), then once it's larger, upgrading to a PVC enclosure with some climbing and moving room.

Also, thanks for the picture Reinz! Love the mustache.

[FluppleWott]

I adore my boa!! I actually have a severe anxiety disorder and when I begin to have a panic attack, I get out my 2 year old 5.5-6" girl to help me relax. She is very, very docile. I'm more worried about getting tagged by my feisty little bp lol! I always tell anyone who wants to handle my snakes that although the boa's bite may be significantly more painful and bloody, the ball is about 10x more likely to bite. Which is definitely saying a lot because my ball doesn't bite much at all despite her feisty nature. I've only been bit by the boa twice, both were accidental. My fault for not using tongs when feeding!

Heck, I even teach children with my boa girl. She's been accidentally (and unfortunately) dropped, squeezed, and smacked in the face by children (little boy felt her tongue and thought she was a bug crawling on him) she has never bit or threatened a child.

Training and handling will go a long way with boas. Although snakes in general are dumb as dirt compared to many pets, some like large pythons and boas are definitely capable of recognizing people and learning what feed time looks like vs. what handling time looks like.

It also really depends on the individual personality of your boa how they will act. Most boas are very silly. Some are nippy (especially as tiny babies) and some are incredibly tame and sweet.

Good luck!!

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[Gio]

I'm wanting to get into boas, but I'm not sure what kind would be best! I'm wanting something that I can handle on my own when it's an adult (I'm 5'3" and only have experience with BP's). Any ideas? I've heard bad things about RTB's, but I don't know if any of it is true or not (They're aggressive, large, hard to handle, etc.) I do like the Hog Islands, though.
Also, if someone could direct me to a good care guide, and make a suggestion on a breeder, that would be great! I'm planning to wait at least a few months, but I want to start researching and setting stuff up now.

First thing I can say is after you get a BC whether it be BCI or BCC is you will find out how easy they are to handle. They are actually the PERFECT snake for many reasons. Size can be impressive yet not giant. They are almost always easy to handle unless wild caught.

I have a 6 foot male locality BCI that I still handle with ONE hand. 6 feet is rather small all wrapped up. An 8 foot female of almost any species is a good sized boa.

As mentioned, THE COMPLETE BOA CONSTRICTOR is a must.

IMO there is no royal python that comes close. Activity and semi arboreal traits go to boas. They are possibly the most consistent feeding snake out there.

Research and prepare well.

My personal opinion is to go with a locality, whether it be BCI or BCC. Pure "Mother Nature" coloring and selectively bred boas are hard to beat.

This is a true locality BCI that was almost dubbed BCC by the breeder.

Barranquilla, Colombian Boa. Bred by the master Gus Rentfro or Rio Bravo Reptiles. He closed his doors, but Legacy Reptiles has taken over the stock.

Look at him here.

My 5' 3" wife could easily handle this animal. He will maybe hit 7' in his lifetime and still be an easy keep.

[Killerflash]

I gotta agree with everyone else here about the RTBs. I'm newer to having boas, but my little BCI is awesome and so gentle it has never even shown any sign of aggression. I just pick it right out of its enclosure with my hand and I even hear they mellow out more when they grow up too so if that's the case it'll be like a puppy dog.