I'm glad they are the size they are. I had a supposedly male BCI who just kept growing. He was over 9 feet when I sold him. Might have been a female or not a true BCI. But he was a very docile snake and it was still too much. Someday I will get a true BCI but I'll get a male from a trusted breeder that can give me a better idea on size. 9 feet is just too much for me. I have a female Dumerils right now. She will be large but manageable in a 4x2 cage.