Boas???

[CINCYBall]

Ok I have a couple balls already. But I would like to get into a bigger snake. I feel like theres alot of boas out there, and I am just not sure what to be reading on. I will not be jumping right into this, I just want some direction to research.

I kind of know what I am looking for. If boas are the same as balls with the size difference between sexes, then I am looking for a male, cause I dont want the largest boa possible, just something to step up to.

Also what are the major differences between columbian red tail, etc etc besides geographical location? Is it sizes, colors, prices???

Just an FYI, I am not referring to sand boas, tree boas, or BRB/CRB.

Thank you for any help.

[The-Jame]

A dumeril's boa might be something for you to consider in that case, (I don't have one but have lately been checking boa's out myself), they "can" grow to about 8.5 feet but as far as I know that's not common I've heard that they usually grow to around/near to 6 feet, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boa_dumerili (there's a page on them for you).

[Wh00h0069]

There are many types of boas out there. Some are larger than others. There are dwarf boas, which are located at the top of their range; Colombian boas, which are located in the middle of their range; and BCCs which are located at the bottom of their range. They generally get larger the further South they are located. If you want something manageable, you should look into either dwarf boas or a male Colombian. There is a pretty large price range for morphs, but normals of all types are pretty low. For research, you can’t beat: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Boa-C...0188689&sr=8-1. It is pretty expensive, but exhaustive.

[SpartaDog]

Like the above poster said, I'd start with a northern locality. I've heard Nicaraguan and Hogg Islands are pretty popular, but I think Tarahumara Mountain boas are the smallest. Gorgeous animals but kind of difficult to find.

As for the size difference (assuming we're talking about the more Southern localities), I've heard males grow to about 8 ft and females to 9. I think the record is somewhere around 12 ft, but I think she was powerfed too.

Seeing as I haven't had a boa yet myself, I wouldn't quote me on any of that, but I've been researching for a few months now.

[tsshields]

If I had to choose boas which i have dealt with many kinds i would go hands down a HOG ISLAND BOA (HOGG ILSE BOA). My hog has beautiful oranges and is super light and has the best appetite out of all my snakes has never refused a meal, and is also probably my most tame snake I have as well. I have had Normal RTBs and love them as well and I plan on expanding my RTB collection but if I had to choose just one boa the HOG takes my pick. They dont get to big have great appetites and the right amount of handling are sweet hearts.

[Alexandra V]

The other posts have summed it up nicely, the differences between the locality names (say Columbian vs. Nicaraguan) is generally just the locality, but you'll also get little differences in the phenotypes (the "look") that can help you identify, and in the example I used, size sometimes (Nicaraguans tend to stay smaller than Columbians). They are still the same species (BCI - boa constructor imperator).

When you start to look at boas you need to know that they tend to be a lot more active than balls and that can be taken as them being more bitey, which is hardly ever true. People say that Nicaraguan boas are pretty snappy boas, but I have a baby Nicaraguan and she has never so much as hissed at me. I've even handled other nics that were puppy tame.

Okay, I'm starting to rant lol. Just don't be deterred by the activity level, boas are great and they have so many different localities that you can choose from for their little quirks that you're bound to find a snake you'll love.

[Miss Tuniwha]

Yup, there are smaller ones, as mentioned..

Remember that there is a HUGE personality difference between boas and balls.. Which is why most keepers usually focus on one or the other..

I have mostly bps.. but i do have a few BCI .. They are great, but are SOOooo curious.. my husband is NOT a fan of the boas.. They make him nervous, because whenever you walk into the room, they sit up and look at you.. lol

[CINCYBall]

Oh no, I am aware of the different personalities. As for the locality of these boas, what causes the size difference?

I have come to the conclusion that I want a male due to the size difference, but I would say I am looking for something around the 6-7ft range. Anything yall could recommend?

thank you

[Alexandra V]

Oh no, I am aware of the different personalities. As for the locality of these boas, what causes the size difference?

I have come to the conclusion that I want a male due to the size difference, but I would say I am looking for something around the 6-7ft range. Anything yall could recommend?

thank you

that's a good question, I don't know what causes the size difference for sure, but I'd guess it would have to do with camouflage being easier for smaller snakes in the northern regions where most of the dwarfs come from.

Around the 6-7 ft mark you could go for a male Columbia, as you said, or you could go for a female Nicaraguan or Hogg Island boa (or any of the other Central American boas) as they are some of the "dwarf" boas. The females rarely if ever exceed 7 feet. They also tend to have a bit of a lighter build than the Columbian boas, less chunk.

[CINCYBall]

that's a good question, I don't know what causes the size difference for sure, but I'd guess it would have to do with camouflage being easier for smaller snakes in the northern regions where most of the dwarfs come from.

Around the 6-7 ft mark you could go for a male Columbia, as you said, or you could go for a female Nicaraguan or Hogg Island boa (or any of the other Central American boas) as they are some of the "dwarf" boas. The females rarely if ever exceed 7 feet. They also tend to have a bit of a lighter build than the Columbian boas, less chunk.

So im looking at male columbians, nicaraguan, or hogg island boas?

Also, what are the differences between BCI and BCC?

And one more and I am done.

I've been searching around, wether it be on the internet or youtube, about IBD. This is quite a frightening illness for snakes. How does this happen?

I read somewhere that it is passed from a mite from an infected snake. I saw videos on youtube where boas and balls are affected, but mainly boas for some reason. And that balls are affected more quickly, while boas can carry it for much longer, but still end up passing away from it. How can i prevent this? Cause to be quite frank, this has made me a little uneasy about getting one.

I plan to eventually keep all my snakes on the same free standing steel shelf that I got from Lowes.