Boa Too Big???

[Gio]

Hello!

I'm looking to buy my first (Colombian) boa! The one I'm eyeballing is over 8-years of age and about 6'-7', but she is THICK. I mean built like a Blood Python. I can/have handled 7' male boas with ease. However, being as small as I am (5'4") I'm wondering if there will be a good chance that I can unintentionally injure a girl this big? I'm not concerned about her impact on me, rather if (due to my small size) there is no way I can properly support her? She also lives in a different province and I am unable to actually handle her without buying her first.

Thoughts???

People are asking for photos because of your description of the boa. "Built like a blood python" is something a boa should NOT be. Age should not matter. A true, well cared for boa will live a very long time and if proper care is taken regarding diet and exercise a boa, be it male or female will present a very strong, lean and muscular appearance. If the said snake is not "loaf shaped" and has become rounded and overly thick, you are looking at a potential problem. Unless gravid, no BC should have a blood python appearance.

While you may be attracted to a certain look/morph, don't forgo the overall health of the animal. 8 years of age is not an old boa, and again, fat, rounded boas are not the ideal.

A healthy, lean muscular boa will have enough strength to wrap you and support itself during handling. You can have always have a chair or stool next to you so the animal can climb off of you and support it's body on you and another object.

If this snake is not able to move about with ease, or support it's weight, you may want to pass.

Nobody can really tell you what may or may not happen without a photo. If you have doubts, listen to them and look elsewhere. You will want a healthy, long lived snake, and something that already has you guessing/wondering might be something to avoid.