BCI Temperaments and Experiences?

[Evenstar]

I've been looking into adding a snake and have been thoroughly researching carpet pythons and ball pythons but I thought I'd look into all my options. I think the dwarf boas are pretty neat, like the crawl cay and cay caulker, but there aren't any in my area. I did happen to find a breeder with both Hog Island, Nicaraguan boas and Tarahumara Mountain boas, and I'd love to know a little more about them.


1) What's their general size? I've seen so many different responses I'm not quite sure anymore. I'd get a male no matter what. Those are all smaller localities of BCI. Usually male Hogs and Nics will max out around 5-6 ft. Tarahumaras are quite a bit smaller and are about 4 ft as adults.

2) How do their temperaments vary from one another? All 3 of these are a bit touchier temperamentally than Colombian BCIs. Hogs are not usually too bad at all, but Nics and Tarahumaras can be particularly nippy, especially as babies.

3) Which do you prefer working with, and why? I actually prefer Colombian BCI and BCO. Can't beat a Colombian as far as temperament and the mainland localities and some of the pattern morphs are just spectacular. And, well, BCO are just huge personalities.

I'm really not sure what to go with. I love the coloration of the Hog, but I'm a little worried about the size. Any other tips and advice would be wonderful. Thanks in advance! Why are you worried about the size of Hogs?? They fall into the range of all three you mentioned. And truthfully, temperament is much more important. A gentle large snake is much easier to manage than a smaller critter that wants to take your head off. LoL! Of course, neither Hogs, Nics, or Tarahumaras are that bad. Some of them are quite nice. But as a general rule, they tend to be more temperamental.

I have to agree with Expensive Hobby. My first boa was a Colombian BCI female. I've never, for even a moment, been sorry!! A nice Colombian male will max out around 7 ft, but they are really gentle snakes and very curious and outgoing. But no matter what you decide, you'll love having a boa! Once you get one, there's no going back.