Can't decide on which boa to get.

[Evenstar]

Based on the criteria you've listed, I strongly recommend a Dumerils. They stay relatively small when compared to boas in general, do well in tubs (when they are young), are very easy to keep and are comparable to Ball Pythons in that regard, and they are very social and curious animals.


1. I want something docile and something that won't get too big (6 feet max), but will be bigger than my ball.
2. I want something that likes to be handled more than my ball python.
3. I like the big heads of the boas. There's just something about it that intrigues me.
4. I will keep it in a tub of whatever size the boa needs.
5. I am good with keeping the humidity of my ball python, and she has a constant hot spot, but her ambient temps usually stay about 75-85, depending on if the heater is on her. So I need something that can bare a bit of temperature gradient. Or something that doesn't require high temps. That would be even better. If not, I can accommodate to its needs.
6. I will probably get a male.
7. Not very interested in getting a morph.
8. Relatively low prices would be nice.

1. Dumerils are quite docile. Females can get bigger, but the males usually stay at about 6ft.
2. Any boa will fit this bill....
3. Not quite sure what you mean by this, but between Dums, BRBs, and BCIs, I think the Dums will have the broadest head.
4. Dumerils, being ground boas, will fair the best of the ones you've mentioned in a tub for the longest period of time. However, I would not keep any boa in a tub as an adult though. They need more room to move around than BPs do. Minimum cage size for ANY adult boa would be a 4x2x1 ft cage.
5. Any snake should have the least temperature variation as a general rule. A swing of 10 degress is HUGE. You really should take steps to fix this problem - for your BP as well as for any other snakes you get. A small gradient of 2-4 degrees is exceptable, but not 10. Boas can be more sensitive with digestion than BPs and can and will regurge if the temps are not appropriate. Dumerils tend to be the most forgiving of husbandry mistakes.
6. The males will stay smaller than the females, but other than that, it's just a matter of preference.
7. A Leopard boa is a morph of BCI, specifically in Sonoran Desert boas. It is simple recessive.
8. Leopard boas are MUCH more expensive. Normal BCIs, Hog Islands, and BRBs are going to run you anywhere from 100-200. You can find a nice baby Dumerils for 120 or less. I found my gorgeous female for 75.

Please think CAREFULLY about your husbandry and cage size (#'s 4 & 5). These are very important considerations for a boa.