Dumerils OR BCI?

[Quantum Constrictors]

Now that my Ball Python rack is all full (Yes I am still gunna get another rack one soon LOL)

I want to get a single boa to have as a pet. Not something I am going to breed or have any interest in breeding.

I mean my ball pythons are pets but most days I feel like they just dont want to come out. I mean I treat them like Royalty why would they want to??

But I have been very interested in getting a Boa lately.

My main thing is size. I dont want to get any thing longer then 6-7 feet.

So I have been looking at male BCI's (or Hog Islands)

OR

a Male Dumerils boas.


I have been really leaning towards a Dumerils because I hear they are really docile and great handlers and can be out for long periods of time.

I really love the looks of a Dums as well the head shape...the colour and pattern.

But I have heard they can be picky eaters.

BCIs on the other hand.

I love all the morphs they come in and I have heard they also are docile but can be quite nippy.


I really dont know.... I think I am leaning more towards a Dums ... But I love BCIs too...

Share what you think and your experiences with both of them.

[brobertson]

I only just got my male BCI, but he is an absolutely amazing animal. I love their tameness, curiosity, and adorable faces. I think it would be hard to go wrong either way, but I would pick a BCI. C'mon, how can you resist those faces! Here is my male albino het snow BCI, just to tempt you

[Daybreaker]

BCI

But I'm biased, I have three morph BCI Colombians myself as well as a pure Hog Island BCI girl

My bf has a Dum though and she's really cool, but I gotta go with the BCIs.

[BFE Pets]

Can't go wrong either way. But I'm partial to my dums. I have bci's too. My dums are my favorites to handle by far. My male is a scetchy feeder only eating after deficating which ends up being about every 3 week's. My girls on the other hand are eating machines! I've never heard a lot about picky eaters as far as dums are concerned. From my experience which isn't a lot granted, they are great eaters and take to f/t readily.

[3skulls]

Im going to vote for a Dumerils, just because I really want one. I have 2 BCIs and they are great snakes!!

Like said above, I don't think you can go wrong.

[ewaldrep]

just get any male boa that you take a liking to. I don't think any males will get much bigger that 6-7ft so just find what you like and get a male. I love the Surinames and Gayanese, the females can get quite big but not really a concern for the males. Happy hunting!

[DooLittle]

I'll vote BCI. Mine are very mellow, not nippy. My male could probably stay out all day and not care. I love them!

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[hypnotixdmp]

I have a BCI and Dum, but I cant say I really like one more than the other lol. They are both AWESOME snakes, and I know how you feel with the balls, when I take them out all they wanna do is go hide (I know this is just how they are).

Lets put it this way, Dumerils seems to be the most docile snake I have ever seen, even more so than a ball!!!! They are a heavy bodies snake, so if you get one be prepared to get a work out when handling lol.

A BCI can be really awesome, it really just depends on which you decide to go with imho. I have a Hog Island and shes so cool, she loves coming out and just crawling all over me, I put her on the bed or w/e, she comes right back to me and climbs up on my hands. I personally would go with this choice, but just remember most BCIs will get pretty long, a hog island will stay somewhat small compared to a Red Tail.

I personally love all non-venomous snakes so far, havent really been able to get into colubirds just yet, but maybe in the future??

[xFenrir]

I got my girl as a rescue. She was about 3-4ft. when we got her, and I have NEVER gotten struck at by her. The only person who's been bit has been my boyfriend, and that's only because he was moving the aspen in front of her and she had an immediate feeding response. I haven't even heard her give a full-out hiss at me. She's a big ol' puppydog, and she's even been handled by a group of kids and was as docile as a scarf. (The kids in the neighborhood I used to live in came to me for advice about their snakes, mostly BP's. They listened to me and were very good when I instructed them on how to hold her.) Satin has been amazing from day one, and I'm SO happy we found her. Even if she's a little weird.

As far as nippiness, I've always heard that it's the younger boas that seem prone to be snappish. Most seem to grow out of it on their own. I've personally only heard of two cases where a RTB was unable to be tamed down. And they live up to their nicknames of "garbage disposals". My girl's never refused a meal, and half the time she'll cruise in front of the doors when she's done eating, looking for more.

[Evenstar]

I have gotten every one of my BCIs as babies and not a single one was nippy - then or now. Sure, it can happen, but it is most definitely NOT a tendancy. And if it does happen, they do tame down very readily with gentle handling. So I wouldn't worry about that at all.

I just picked up my first Dumerils yesterday. And I am very happy with her - she is incredibly sweet and docile and already likes to be held. But so did my 3 BCIs! Even my BCOs (Argentines) like to be handled and I have no worries at all reaching in their tubs.

You will be extremely happy with a Dumerils, Hog Island, or male BCI - very happy indeed!

I would suggest going to a good reptile expo nearby with an open mind. Don't have one or the other as a preference. See what you like and see what breeder you like working with and talking to. See which snake "speaks" to you. I did this when I was picking out my first boa. I handled a couple of Dumerils and several BCIs. Found a beautiful little hypo female at Special K Reptiles' table. Tim was great to talk to - the most patient and helpful of anyone I'd spoken to that day. I bought that little girl and have never been sorry - it was a fabulous experience and I got a terrific snake!

Just be aware, pet or not, boas are addictive - bet you can't have just one!!!