Can't decide on which boa to get.

[ceca2015]

I have also watched an awful lot of videos on brb and wget pythons

I meant woma pythons. lol crappy android phone..

[Gio]

I am totally biased here, but I still say male BCI. They are long but not too long. They are thick bodied but nothing compared to females. With a BCI, you'll get a docile temperament, beautiful colors, and affordable snake, and the snake in my opinion will combine several of the best qualities of the snakes on your list. A BCI will give you some really cool arboreal characteristics found in the rainbows, typically it will be more docile than an island locality BCI. You will get terrestrial behavior like a Dumeril boa. The feeding response,,, well just ask any mainland BCI owner. The snakes are a dream to handle. They wrap and explore.

I have included a shot of my newest addition. This is a male Barranquilla Colombian BCI. This was his first meal at home. He never came off the perch here. He ate and did his thing while being partially suspended, then went all the way up after he finished.

Size was initially I big factor for me and I wanted a big snake. Honestly since I got this guy, if he never grew more than his already 3-3 1/2 feet I'd be OK with it. He's that interesting and fun.

Don't take a male mainland BCI off your list. IMO it's the best of everything on your list.

But with all due respect to the other animals there is no right or wrong. What you like should be #1. Just make sure you take your time, get everything set up before hand and then make your move.

Here's my new boy. I could not be happier.

[sissysnakes]

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.

Where are you finding Leopard Boas at 100-200? Could you provide a link? I haven't found any for that little, but perhaps I am not looking in the right places.
Also, I agree with the Dumeril, it seems to fit what you are looking for as described above. They grow slowly too so you will be able to keep them in a tub for a bit longer then some species of Boa. My Dum is a very docile snake, however her feeding response is very strong, it is the only time she has ever tagged me.

[Gio]

I guess I would tend to agree that a Dumerils boa would be best for you based on your requirements I am always a little biased towards my type of boa but that's just me on another note I would seriously reconsider going with tubs especially if this is going to be You're only other snake as a pet you would be best off providing a better type of enclosure and maybe should wait on the snake and consider a nice plastic cage before doing anything like I stated before once you have a really nice set up you can focus in On the snake and get the perfect one There are some very affordable plastic enclosures in the required range check them out it is worth your time

[ceca2015]

Is there more benefit of having a animal plastics cage over a tub other than they look nicer? The reason I thought about going with a tub is because they are easy to clean and maintain humidity. Since Boas grow slow, I might purchase a nice animal plastics cage later in its life. TBH, if I got the boa a nice cage, is feel bad and have to get Gretel a new cage too, lol. By the time the boa gets that big, ill have a job and be able to buy a nice cage. Right now, I live with my mom and the tubs are cheaper. How long do you think a hog island or a male BCI be able to live in a tub from Walmart, like a short, but long 41 quart or a taller, but not as long 72 quart? And is hight or floorspace more important? I guess what I mean is do I need to get something with some hight? Or is the standard 6" tub hight okay for as long as they are in the tub?

I really hope all that crap I just typed makes sense, lol.

[ceca2015]

And hopefully this wont be my only other snake. I hope to have more in the future when I am financially stable and living on my own.

[Gio]

Well this is where the waiting part comes in. I don't think boas grow all that slow. BCC's slower than BCI's in the beginning, but after reading several books by experts in the field, I think they get long relatively fast even if fed correctly and the bulk comes on later. Now some of the island localities have a slower go, but there are a lot of Hog Island boas that are crossed and actually do get large. My guy is over 3 1/2 feet and under a year old.

If you feel the need to get your current snake a new cage, that should be your first priority. Before any new snake, then get a cage before the new snake. I certainly understand the want, excitement and feelings of happiness a new snake will bring, but I think you should get yourself settled first, then get your current animal a new cage, and then start working on the new setup and animal.

http://www.constrictorsnw.com/cagess...ularcages.html

I started here with the 48" x 23" x 14" cage. Height is great especially for boas. Height needs heat, and heat costs money. Kali will certainly have plenty of advice here no matter what the cage maker ends up being. Minimum height is 11". Boaphile 421D provides that. For me that's too short for a couple reasons. Cleaning having bigger shoulders and reaching 2 feet back can be annoying. The plastic cages clean very well. Pro-Line, AP and Kali's choice of PVC cages clean out the best. Do some research on cages. It's fun.

I gave myself just short of a full year to make sure I had everything just right. It was NOT an inexpensive addition. I've had the same job for long time and I can say I spent what I felt was reasonable. The cage, the heat panel and thermostat were a must. Then obviously there are cosmetic additions and power strips that I saw fit.

Anyhow, whether its your first rodeo or not, I'd say get your current snake set up in a the cage you think it would be happy in, then get yourself settled, then search for a cage just like you are searching for a new snake.

I'd love to help with that search. I think you can get a lifetime cage right away and clutter it up, divide it, whatever but the cage is the big item in this next to the animal. I think you'll feel 100% more confident in what you'll want in a snake knowing you have caging for it already and set to go.

Really, what's the rush? Set the goal get the gear, and boom you'll just be thrilled when the time arrives.

But remember your first animal and treat that one with a lifetime cage first.

I'm not getting down on you, but without a job and some of the other stuff, slow it down. There is plenty of time and its worth the wait! : )

[I-KandyReptiles]

Good advice, Gio.

I have a male and female BCI. My males age is unknown. I was told 6 months when I got him, but am a bit suspicious that he's more likely a year old now. My female is full grown, around 7 feet.


Damon


Conga

[Gio]

Good advice, Gio.

I have a male and female BCI. My males age is unknown. I was told 6 months when I got him, but am a bit suspicious that he's more likely a year old now. My female is full grown, around 7 feet.


Damon


Conga

Whoa!! Not to change the original topic, but that first snake is beautiful! Is that the male? If so he looks pretty thick and I love the head/neck tie in. Really solid. My guy won't be a year until the end of June. But yeah, I think these guys grow faster than people think at least in the first couple of years.

[Gio]

ceca2015,

This is my cage. It was $230 SHIPPED. I added a lock and 3 sets of perch holders and the whole thing arrived at my door for $263 after the extras. You won't find a better deal with shipping for that size. 48" x 23" x 14". I use a Pro-Products radiant heat panel. I believe it was about $100 shipped. Bob at Pro-Products is great and will customize the panel for the cage and the room the cage will be in. He can get you into a decent thermostat for about $60.

I personally can't do without a Herpstat and I got a Herpstat I. Because I'm only using a panel I did not get the Herp II so I still saved close to $100.

I'm not done with the cage, I'm going to change things a bit as I go, but you can see the "clutter". This is his lifetime cage unless he gets huge. I would doubt a male would get over 7' but if he does, and gets thick It's and easy fix if I need a new cage.

One very nice feature Boaphile cages have are that you can get the "expandable" option. Basically you can add and end to the cage and make your current cage larger. Brilliant idea if you go the Boaphile route.

But my Pro-Line is made of the the best plastic in the bizz in my opinion and cleans easy and there are no retained smells and no gases from the plastic.

Again, I'm not getting down on you for wanting another snake, but do yourself, and your first snake a favor and shoot for caging first.

I'll bet your current snake will enjoy a new cage.

Here's what I had all set up before my snake ever got here.