Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI

[dakski]

Several months ago when I got my 1st BP, I had no interests in a BOA but I've gotten the itch pretty bad these last couple of weeks looking at your threads and the rest of the boa owners. I would never pull the trigger w/o a massive amount of research but Behira is stunning! I'll admit, I've been looking at Hog Island Boas but she his stunning. It seems like Boas are a little bit more social and better eaters then BPs which is very appealing right now. Congrats on a great find!

Thank you, I think Behira is stunning as well! Great contrast of coloration and markings on her, and her eyes are beautiful!

Yes, BCI's (what most morphs are - but always check - BCC's need more humidity and grow slower but get bigger) will devour any food put in front of them, pretty much. Behira is more like my corn snake in terms of food response than my BP, for sure. The problem with Boa's is NOT overfeeding. It can be really bad for their health. Behira is 1 1/2 (roughly - June 16 baby), and I am already feeding small rats (but smaller than she can eat - 60G or so when she could eat 80G) every other week. She would happily eat weekly or more, but I do not want health issues later. Smaller meal every two weeks. Basically, the bigger the snake and the bigger the prey item, the longer between feedings. Adult BCI's can eat large/jumbo/colossal rats every 3-4 weeks (again depending on size of boa and prey relative to boa). Their metabolism is SLOW!

A strong feeding response is awesome compared to a BP who, as you know, can fast or refuse food. I don't think you really need to worry about that with BCI's. However, long hemostats/tongs and being careful is a must!

There are some amazing morphs of BCI's and many are not super expensive. Behira was about $500. However, there are many beautiful morphs for that or less. I love the Hypos as well, and they are closer to $200-300 or so, from what I have seen (from the same breeder I got Behira from and I like very much). I am partial to Sunglows as well, but already having an Albino BP, went in another direction.

However, moving from a BP up to a BCI you have to consider a lot.

1. Experience level - BCI's in particular are generally puppy dog tame, but they do get BIG, females in particular. I asked the breeder for the tamest BCI he had, male or female, and Behira was one of 3 finalists. We loved her coloration and markings and her eyes! A tame young BCI will likely be a tame adult with proper handling, husbandry, etc. They can be nippy when young, as can BP's, but tend to grow out of it.

I think richardhind1972 has a BCI, Medusa, that took a while to calm down, LOL. However, I think that is rarer than it is common.

2. Costs and ability to provide for: Food, heating, proper sized enclosure (BIG - especially if you have a female) that can maintain heat AND humidity, etc.

3. Place in life and where you live and if you own, rent, or plan to move soon. Moving a 4FT BP isn't a huge deal and I imagine most landlords don't mind. However, a 7-8FT female BCI, in a 6 foot enclosure, that's asking a lot and is a big commitment.

4. Spouse, partner, future partner, etc. It took Katie a while to get used to the reptiles and I do not think she is thrilled about how big Behira will be. Could you imagine her coming to my house, or hearing that I had a BIG snake, before she was comfortable with even Figment (my corn) or Shayna my BP.

Not trying to preach, but I thought about all this when I got Behira. It is definitely a bigger commitment getting a large snake as opposed to a smaller one. I just want anyone considering a BCI to know what they should think about.

Having said that, I think she is one the coolest animals I have ever had. She is calm, but inquisitive, and more active when being held than most BP's, but without being daunting when she is big. I really like her personality.

Male BCI's are usually 4-6FT, maybe a little bigger, and have much less girth. They are probably a better foray into BCI's, as are some dwarf species (although I cannot speak to temperament or requirements for those), than doing what I did and get a female BCI as my first big snake!

Again, not trying to turn anyone off, and I truly love Behira. However, it was a big decision for me. Now, I am committed. Katie is too .