I have a confession: I'm having an affair.
Ball pythons are amazing, and I can't wait to breed mine, but I gotta admit.. I've always wanted one *big* snake.. and fell in love with red tails the first time I held a little hypo Columbian girl at a small local pet shop. So I decided that, one day, I will have just one RTB. (well, actually I want two, the albinos are amazing, but let's take it slow.)
This is going to be far off into the future, of course, but I like educating myself early to work it into my future plans. So, here we go:
1.) Where does one find a BCC? I tried to look around to price shop but no one seems to specify what theirs is.
If this is your first boa, I strongly recommend you stick with a BCI instead of a BCC. BCCs can be much touchier than BCIs - both in husbandry and temperament. They are not the greatest first boa. But BCIs are fantastic and there are many pure locality BCIs available if you aren't into morphs. However, whichever you choose, Here are a few resources for you: Facebook - Boa Constrictor Aficionados, Reptile Classifieds - Boa Constrictors, or Pure-Locality Boas are some good groups to get you started there. A couple of breeders on Facebook that don't have personal websites but are excellent are: Michael Masters (Masters Morphs), Ryan Burke (Clockwork Reptiles), and Star Schaffer (Star's Snakes) - Star is WONDERFUL to work with!! Here are a couple of websites for good breeders working with both BCI and BCC....
http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/ - Vin Russo
http://www.legacyreptiles.com/southamerica.htm - Orlando and Joel Diaz
http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/ - Gus Rentfro
http://www.deviantconstrictors.com/i...strictors.html - Jonathan Brady (JB) - this is probably the FIRST place I'd go for a Guyana BCC. JB has the best!
2.) I notice there are variations in tail brightness- some babies have blood red tails, some have more of a brown color. Will the color they have as babies stay as they age?
That's mostly a difference of whether or not the snake is a BCC or BCI. The BCCs have the blood-red tails. The babies usually have brighter coloration so the coloring will tend to tone down as the snake ages.
3.) How fast to boas grow? This will determine when I will get my boa; I read it's okay to keep them in tubs as young'uns, until they get too big- and I want to make sure I have a nice large enclosure ready for my girl when that happens.
They grow fast. However, if you start with a baby, you should be able to keep him comfortably in a tub until he's about 2 years old or about 4 ft.
4.) To follow that up, when is "too big" for a tub? 5'? 6'?
See above. 
5.) Red tails seem semi-aboreal... True?
Yes, they will climb if given the opportunity.
6.) I read on redtailboas.com (or something like that) on their official care sheet that you can control how big your boa goes by feeding... that sounds incorrect.. yet it's on their care sheet on an official-looking site.
The answer is "sort of." If you keep your boa on rats all it's life, it generally won't hit the growth spurt that seems to be prompted when boas are fed rabbits. So they generally don't get as big. However, boas are large snakes and you should not withhold food to try to keep your snake on the small side. Most boas will do fine on 2 jumbo rats fed every 14-21 days. Female BCCs, however, almost always need rabbits - they can and do get huge.
7.) I heard they have more personality than ballies?
Oh absolutely! All of mine are incredibly curious and outgoing snakes. They like to be held and will immediately climb out of their cages to say hi. My hypo female and my snow female will both hang out for hours and watch tv with me. My Argentines know their mama and won't let anyone but me take them out without huffing and puffing and trying to imitate a cobra. They are not shy snakes and almost never refuse a meal.
8.) Where does one find the large 6x2x2 enclosures? Where can I find an even bigger and more decorative display one rather than a compact PVC box?
www.pvccages.com
http://www.constrictorsnw.com/
http://www.animalplastics.com/
Personally, I think these places are the best. I like Constrictors NW and Ed is really nice and knowledgeable - he'll help you a lot.
9.) How do you guys keep humidity up with such large enclosures?
The proper enclosure will not be a problem. The cages are designed to maintain good humidity.
10.) Vivarium for RTB: have you done it? is it manageable? any particular advice or tales to tell?
I personally have not done it, and I don't think I ever would - even though I'd love to. My concern is the size you'd need to build to accommodate a large snake in a naturalistic environment. It would be very expensive and I think rather difficult to maintain. Not for the average keeper. But not impossible either.
And lastly,
feel free to include a picture of your boa; they're gorgeous to look at.
Sorry for the questions; I like to plan far in advance! Always best to know what you're getting into.
Originally Posted by DestinyLynette
I have a confession: I'm having an affair.
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