Best boa for me

[DSpythons]

I need some advise from boa keepers on here. I know a few of you helped me with my Columbian BCI since this forum is more active then the Redtail boa forum. I'm debating between a Caulker Cay boa and a Peruvian Long tail boa (BCL). I've researched a ton on both and cannot decide. I want a boa around 4-6 feet, dark in color, and have a good personality like the Columbian BCI's I've worked with. If anyone has any opinions on ethier let me know! I'm going with a male so I know the BCL will stay around 5 feet according to Vin Russo. I have read the island boas tend to be nippy and that the Peruvian Long tails have unexpected mood swings. I really like the adult BCL coloring with the jet black pattern over gray. Help me decide!


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[Vypyrz]

I need some advise from boa keepers on here. I know a few of you helped me with my Columbian BCI since this forum is more active then the Redtail boa forum. I'm debating between a Caulker Cay boa and a Peruvian Long tail boa (BCL). I've researched a ton on both and cannot decide. I want a boa around 4-6 feet, dark in color, and have a good personality like the Columbian BCI's I've worked with. If anyone has any opinions on ethier let me know! I'm going with a male so I know the BCL will stay around 5 feet according to Vin Russo. I have read the island boas tend to be nippy and that the Peruvian Long tails have unexpected mood swings. I really like the adult BCL coloring with the jet black pattern over gray. Help me decide!


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A Caulker Cay will generally be within the 4-6 feet range that you are looking for. The Longicaudas, depending on gender, will generally fall in the 6-9 feet range. Personally, I like the coloring of the Loncaudas over the Caulkers. I have worked with both in the past, and didn't have any notable, consistent, issues with temperment. Good luck making your decision.

[DSpythons]

Thanks for your input. I read that male BCL's get about 5 feet while females get 7 and according to Vin Russo at Cutting Edge. I heard male Caulker Cay's get about 3-4 feet which I feel is a little too small but I could be wrong. I want something about 5 feet max and no smaller then 4 feet. If Evanstar (I think that's their user name) could give me their opinion that would be great because I learned so much about boas from their posts on here. Or anyone else, because information varies so much online.


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[artgecko]

I haven't seen Evanstar on the boards a lot lately.. she must have other stuff going on right now. I have looked at both species and personally, I'm leaning towards a BCL or a Nicaraguan.. Although from what I've read, the BCLs generally have a better temperament and also tend to stay lighter / thinner.

Another user here, daybreaker, has a BCL that is simply stunning, although it's not an adult. Check out her collection thread and you can see pics.

The information you got about adult lengths from vin russo.. was that off his website or directly from him? I know when I was looking for a first boa, I cited some length information from "the complete boa constrictor" book and many people told me that the "adult" lengths given in the book, althouhg accurate, are simply the adult breeding lengths and that many times the boas can / will exceed those lengths. But again, I'm new to boas also, so can't really say. A good person to contact might be the Diaz brothers from legacy reptiles. I think they maintain breeding groups of both and should be able to give you a definitive answer. They seem to be quite active on facebook, so you might be able to get a fast response if you message them.

[DSpythons]

Yea Vin told me males max out at 5 feet. I'm leaning towards a Caulker I think. Maybe Daybreaker will see this! I forgot about their boa collection.


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[Daybreaker]

Yea Vin told me males max out at 5 feet. I'm leaning towards a Caulker I think. Maybe Daybreaker will see this! I forgot about their boa collection.


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I'm biased because I have my longicauda and no Caulkers but I would go with a nice BCL: will have the size and coloration you want (IMO the contrasted BCL adults are more aesthetic than the Caulkers, only personal preference) and my girl is such a sweetie. If temperament is a concern just remember with some work even nippy snakes will usually calm over time (pending the individual but in my experience they do). I have purchased from Vin before (a Pokigron Suri) and he's top notch and recommended for stunning animals and A+ customer service.









Edit: another option may be a male Hog Island Boa (peach colored, smaller staying locality, great overall temperaments)

[Raven01]

I only have a BCL myself so cannot offer comparative points.
But, I can say that the reputation some attribute to BCL "teens" getting nippy after being quite docile and then calming back down as they mature seems to be overstated if my female BCL is anything to go by. I will say that she did develop a very strong food response as she reached her "teen stage" but, has shown zero cage aggression, defensiveness or timidity. (A big thank you to Daybreaker and Evenstar for the advice to not give in and over feed the garbage disposal)

With my limited experience I have to say that I think few would be disappointed with a BCL although, Hog Island and Dumeril's owners seem to be equally enamoured with their snakes.

[DSpythons]

I'm biased because I have my longicauda and no Caulkers but I would go with a nice BCL: will have the size and coloration you want (IMO the contrasted BCL adults are more aesthetic than the Caulkers, only personal preference) and my girl is such a sweetie. If temperament is a concern just remember with some work even nippy snakes will usually calm over time (pending the individual but in my experience they do). I have purchased from Vin before (a Pokigron Suri) and he's top notch and recommended for stunning animals and A+ customer service.









Edit: another option may be a male Hog Island Boa (peach colored, smaller staying locality, great overall temperaments)

Wow, what a stunning snake! I think you just helped make my decision! Thank you to all who responded.


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[artgecko]

I think she's the nicest looking BCL I've ever seen.. Maybe one day I'll own one like her. I agree that I prefer the higher contrast in the BCLs... It seems like all the island localities have more muddy / muted colors and patterns.

[DSpythons]

I'm biased because I have my longicauda and no Caulkers but I would go with a nice BCL: will have the size and coloration you want

I ended up getting a BCL. If you do not mind Daybreaker, could I ask you some quick questions since online info on these guys is so different?

-How big do you expect my male to get? Vin Russo said about 5 feet and I've read the BCL stay smaller then the BCC/BCI'S.

-How often did you feed your BCL when he was younger and now?

-I've read the Peruvian boas like it cooler then the Colombian BCI'S. Do you keep your BCL slightly cooler?

Thank you!



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