Considering a Brazilian Rainbow Boa as my second snake- am I too new at this?

[PyramidPythons]

1) Everywhere I've read has mentioned how bad BRBs are about biting and a few places even say that they are unreliable for their entire lives, though I've read elsewhere that they do eventually calm down. What is the general consensus here? I feel that I am at a point where, once I finally get bit for the first time (my ball python has been wonderful about not biting me), I can learn to manage a nippy snake. But do they eventually calm down and become trustworthy? (Would I be able to say to a friend "Yes, you can hold her" when she's an adult without worrying that person will get bit?)

I guess I was extremely lucky with Marius, who has never been a biter. He is calm, friendly, curious and has never showed a drop of aggression. Not all of them are bitey and they are actually getting much better with more and more captive breeding. I highly suggest that you buy a neonate from a reputable breeder (Living Gems is my top suggestion, Rainbows R Us second), as I think you'll find that with very minimal work, you will have a RB just as friendly as your Ball. I don't know if you could honestly say "trust" with any snake...as any one of them, regardless of their docile behavior...could potentially bite. I can definitely say that I allow my 7 year old nephew to handle Marius all the time and he has never bitten him or showed any sign of aggression. In fact, I think he adores William more than I do.

2) I handle my ball python daily unless he is in shed or has just eaten. Would this be too much for a rainbow boa?

I handle Marius every other day, sometimes three days in a row...and then sometimes when I am super busy...not for several days at all. I never bother him when he is in shed (they prefer to remain hidden for pretty much the entire time), and I always give him at least 48 hours to digest his meals. He seems to me, to be a very content snake.

3) Given how new I am to snakes, does this seem like too much of a step from ball python to BRB? Should I be considering something else?

Definitely not! Just because a snake has a little bit more intense requirements than what you're used to, it does not mean you shouldn't learn all you possibly can and give it a try. You are doing one of the most important things: Asking lots of questions and gauging for yourself what you feel you can do. Never give up on something you love or want, just because someone tells you it will probably be too difficult or not worth it. Only YOU can make that determination. Personally, I think once you get one, you'll wonder why you ever worried in the first place. They aren't as difficult as most people make them out to be.

4) Also, in comparison to ball pythons, how bad is a bite from a rainbow boa?

I honestly can not give you any input here, as Marius has never once bitten me. I can, however, tell you that I have been bitten by my male BCI boa when he was about Marius' size and it only left a small row of tiny pinprick tooth marks in my hand. It was more shocking than anything and the pinpricks healed up in a couple of days with a smear of Neosporin.

Best of luck, and major kudos to you for doing your homework before getting the snake. It never ceases to amaze me how many people just buy out of impulse and then come crying for help when their snake is suffering from their lack of knowledge.