i've been working with boas for over a decade off and on. I just recently started collecting carpets. Carpets have a bad reputation. they are the pit bulls of the snake world. I never wanted them because of how evil I had heard they were. Completely inaccurate!!! Most carpets are a little nippy as neonates but quickly out grow it with minimal handling. Now Remember carpet python is a generic term. There are 8 or 9 subspecies and some are more docile than others right out of the egg. From what i'm reading and learning from a breeder friend Diamonds, Bredli, and IJ's are the calmest species from right out of the egg! I have a baby bredli and an adult breeding pair. the baby is maybe 30 grams and just as calm as any baby ball python but likes to move around and investigate everything. Now for the boa side. I love my boas! however they require more space than carpets. very docile from birth easy to handle. bci boas and carpets will mature to approximately the same length but a boa will be much heavier bodied than the carpet. both are a great species very hardy and relatively easy to care for. it just boils down to what your budget is, what your space limitations are, and what you prefer the looks of. I personally would have a hard time deciding which one to keep if I had to choose. Fortunately I have an awesome wife and dont have to choose! If you have any questions on either species get a hold of 3skulls for carpet info and evenstar for all boa questions. both are very knowledgeable on their favorite species to keep.