I bought my boa from a store mainly because she is frigging super and the guy working in reptiles knew his stuff. I talked to him a few times before buying her. He also cared about the animals and their environment. But when I went to pick her up the main guy was at lunch so I got a guy that didn't work in that part of the store and knew nothing about snakes. He was scared of her - this beautiful, little boa, because she was coiled up. He thought that she was in striking position. He pulled on these heavy rubber gloves (like you would use for high pressure or temperature) to pick her up. I promptly took her from him, to examine, and showed him that she was easy to handle. He then put her in a tiny box for me to bring home. I rushed her home and put her in her nice, cozy enclosure and have enjoyed her since (over 4 months now).