Quote Originally Posted by dboeren View Post
Hey guys! I'm looking for a boa to add to my collection and wanted to get some advice from the group. I have actually kept boas before but this was in the early 90's so it's been quite a while and there's a LOT more knowledge out there now than there was back then. Currently I have a Diamond/Jungle Carpet Python.


Anyway, here are my requirements...

1. Must not outgrow a 4x2x1 or 4x2x2 enclosure. I have a 4x2x1 Boaphile right now, but could pick up a taller cage, just not a wider one due to space limitations. At the same time, I do want enough heft that you know you're not holding a corn snake, which I think means maybe not one of the island localities.

2. I am willing to go with either gender (so probably a male since they stay a bit smaller?) and I'm not planning to breed them

3. Must be friendly (pretty much most boas are in my experience)

4. Must be reasonably priced (say 400 or less), I'm not looking for funky morphs or whatever. I can stretch a little for something exceptional. Not really a fan of albinos but maybe some pattern morphs or localities with cool patterns.

5. I will be attending the Daytona show in mid-August and this is where I'm hoping to pick it up. I'm using the time between now and then to try to do my homework. However, I am also willing to buy online and ship if I don't find what I'm looking for at the show.


I'm thinking some candidates might include a BCI, Dumeril's, and Longicauda but I also know BCI is a wide blanket term so any more specific advice is appreciated. I'm particularly interested in any impressions on the differences between BCI and Longicauda in size, weight, personality, etc... I'm also open to any other subspecies that I may not currently be familiar with.

Also, up to about what age do you think one of these would be able to live in a 44qt sized tub before moving them up to the 4x2x1? I know boas are known for relatively slow growth compared to most snakes and I try to plot out timelines of where everyone will live year-to-year to make sure I've got the right homes ready at the right time for everyone.

Thanks!
Sounds like we're in the same boat. I've been researching for awhile now and looking to get my 1st BOA. I have a vacant 4 x 2 x 15" enclosure and I've had several breeders say this should be fine for a male BCI and or smaller Boa. According to Vin Russo's Boa Book, he likes to keep adult boas in a 5-6 foot long enclosure while keeping dwarfs and island boas in a 3-4 foot enclosure. I really don't want to have to purchase a larger enclosure

As for Hog Islands, these BOAs have been on the top of my list but finding available pure breds have been as difficult as finding a needle in the haystack. I may just end up with a male BCI if I can't find any Hogs.