Looking for new boa

[Beeler68]

Well I finally pulled the trigger and got a ball python and have it all figured out, so thus begins my search for my next baby which I'm sure I want to be a Boa. Any suggestions??

[Evenstar]

My suggestion is to enjoy your BP for a while and learn your husbandry. It doesn't get figured out overnight and boas are slightly more sensitive to husbandry errors than BPs are. Enjoy snake #1 for a few months or longer. Then look for a boa if you still want one.

[Beeler68]

My suggestion is to enjoy your BP for a while and learn your husbandry. It doesn't get figured out overnight and boas are slightly more sensitive to husbandry errors than BPs are. Enjoy snake #1 for a few months or longer. Then look for a boa if you still want one.

Haha I know what you're saying. I was looking for a couple years down the road. I like to look ahead and research

[Evenstar]

Haha I know what you're saying. I was looking for a couple years down the road. I like to look ahead and research

That's good!

In that case, look into a male BCI or perhaps a Dumerils. Both are excellent "first" boas.

[Beeler68]

That's good!

In that case, look into a male BCI or perhaps a Dumerils. Both are excellent "first" boas.

I was looking at perhaps a female BCC, I know they get bigger, but I was considering a 96" long habitat anyways as I know they love some space. Just thinking for the future

[Evenstar]

I was looking at perhaps a female BCC, I know they get bigger, but I was considering a 96" long habitat anyways as I know they love some space. Just thinking for the future

BCC are NOT for first time boa owners. I do not recommend jumping into boas with a BCC at all. Get some experience with a BCI first. You won't be sorry. If you don't mind a larger snake, a female BCI gets nearly as large as most BCC if not larger.

BCC are not good first boas for these reasons:

1) They can be much more temperamental than BCI and do not tend to tolerate handling very well.

2) They are much more sensitive to husbandry errors than BCI. Problems will come up quickly if temps or humidity is off by only a degree or two.

3) They are far more prone to regurging if husbandry is off (see above) or if they are overfed either by too large prey or by feeding too frequently.

BCC are the pinnacle of boa constrictors! Many folks can manage them quite well - even first-time boa owners. But because they can be so sensitive, it is not recommended that most first-timers start with one. If you want one, get one!! But I do suggest that you get a BCI first and learn about boas and get some experience under your belt first. It is the BEST advice I can give you.

[Beeler68]

BCC are NOT for first time boa owners. I do not recommend jumping into boas with a BCC at all. Get some experience with a BCI first. You won't be sorry. If you don't mind a larger snake, a female BCI gets nearly as large as most BCC if not larger.

BCC are not good first boas for these reasons:

1) They can be much more temperamental than BCI and do not tend to tolerate handling very well.

2) They are much more sensitive to husbandry errors than BCI. Problems will come up quickly if temps or humidity is off by only a degree or two.

3) They are far more prone to regurging if husbandry is off (see above) or if they are overfed either by too large prey or by feeding too frequently.

BCC are the pinnacle of boa constrictors! Many folks can manage them quite well - even first-time boa owners. But because they can be so sensitive, it is not recommended that most first-timers start with one. If you want one, get one!! But I do suggest that you get a BCI first and learn about boas and get some experience under your belt first. It is the BEST advice I can give you.

I really appreciate the advice. I take it to heart because I am inexperienced and I'm not afraid to admit that at all. I do want one, but down the road may be what's best for the boa, and ultimately I want what's best for the snake. So a BCI seems like a better option. Thanks!!

[Gio]

I really appreciate the advice. I take it to heart because I am inexperienced and I'm not afraid to admit that at all. I do want one, but down the road may be what's best for the boa, and ultimately I want what's best for the snake. So a BCI seems like a better option. Thanks!!

Spot on advice from Evenstar!

If you do consider a BCC down the road, the Peruvian BCC's can stand up to most of the husbandry and feeding errors. Suriname and Guyana boas will have more issues IN GENERAL. One thing about the Peru boas, according to Gus Rentfro, they can be docile or close to unmanageable depending on the individual snake whereas most BCI are docile and nice keeps.

I agree that a nice, male or female BCI from the mainland (Colombia) can get very close in size to a BCC, and are docile and very hardy specimens.

Enjoy the royal, but if you are anything like I am,,, you'll be getting the BC within a year. Nothing against royals, but "pet rock" status will be achieved after you jump to boas IMO.

[Evenstar]

I really appreciate the advice. I take it to heart because I am inexperienced and I'm not afraid to admit that at all. I do want one, but down the road may be what's best for the boa, and ultimately I want what's best for the snake. So a BCI seems like a better option. Thanks!!

Awesome sauce!! You'll be glad you made that decision. And boas are like potato chips - you can't have just one! So you'll get a BCC eventually!!