Dwaf vs BCI: Need Advice

[ckuhn003]

Hello there.....

As some as you know, I'm looking for my 1st and only BOA (don't laugh). Initially I was only looking at male dwarfs, mostly due to size and I found my interests in the Hog Island locality. I contacted several breeders and was coming up short everywhere I looked. My interests then started shifting to male BCIs thinking maybe the difference in size wouldn't be too much of a stretch (I'm thinking a 4x2 pvc enclosure). Long story short, I started to communicate to a well respected breeder and I found some BCIs that I really liked (i.e. Super Ghost).

Now all of a sudden, I was contacted by a respected Hog Island breeder who has some babies for sale so I'm looking to the board for some advice.

The factors that are most important for me are the following:

Temperament: I want a BOA that's docile and that I can handle. I've heard that Central Americans can be a little nippier then Colombian Boas. Any truth to this and should this be a big factor in my decision? Are Columbians considered better pets in terms of handling, etc...???

Visual Appearance: I tend to gravitate to a more clean looking BOA and some of the Hog Islands that I've seen are very speckled (not a fan) while others have a cleaner look. Is this something that changes over time?

Size: I'm not looking to power feed so I'm assuming a male BCI won't exceed what I'm looking to get into (again I have a 4 x 2 enclosure).

Thanks!!!

[paulh]

First, BCI are found from northern and western Colombia through Mexico. So you are asking about locality differences, which are hard to characterize, especially as place of origin often gets lost after a snake passes through several owners between importer and final owner. And one owner may cross boas from different countries.

Temperament: There is enough range in temperament that you can get a nasty BCI from anywhere in the range. Most BCI are pretty good, though. The biggest factor is whether you start with a captive bred baby or a wild caught adult. The CB baby has by far the best temperament. And I figure that the worst temperaments are going to be selected out after a couple of generations of captive breeding.

Visual appearance: Boa constrictor babies tend to be rather dark and lighten a bit as they age. But speckling remains constant. Get pictures of the baby and parents before buying, if possible, so you can see if you like the looks.

Size: Male Colombians commonly get into the 7-8 feet length. Male Central Americans may get as big as Colombians or only get into the 5-6 foot range. But there is so much variation in genetics and feeding that size is impossible to guarantee. Best guide is the size of the parents.

A 4x2 cage is just adequate for an 8 foot 0 inch boa, IMO. But bigger is better.

[dboeren]

4x2 is adequate for most male BCI I think but size can vary. Note that even if they DO outgrow it though, it will take a long time.

I was looking into the same thing recently and my conclusion was that a male captive bred BCI was the way to go. Readily available, not expensive, and better odds on a good attitude.

[dakski]

Hello there.....

As some as you know, I'm looking for my 1st and only BOA (don't laugh). Initially I was only looking at male dwarfs, mostly due to size and I found my interests in the Hog Island locality. I contacted several breeders and was coming up short everywhere I looked. My interests then started shifting to male BCIs thinking maybe the difference in size wouldn't be too much of a stretch (I'm thinking a 4x2 pvc enclosure). Long story short, I started to communicate to a well respected breeder and I found some BCIs that I really liked (i.e. Super Ghost).

Now all of a sudden, I was contacted by a respected Hog Island breeder who has some babies for sale so I'm looking to the board for some advice.

The factors that are most important for me are the following:

Temperament: I want a BOA that's docile and that I can handle. I've heard that Central Americans can be a little nippier then Colombian Boas. Any truth to this and should this be a big factor in my decision? Are Columbians considered better pets in terms of handling, etc...???

Visual Appearance: I tend to gravitate to a more clean looking BOA and some of the Hog Islands that I've seen are very speckled (not a fan) while others have a cleaner look. Is this something that changes over time?

Size: I'm not looking to power feed so I'm assuming a male BCI won't exceed what I'm looking to get into (again I have a 4 x 2 enclosure).

Thanks!!!

Ckuhn003,

I think most male BCI's will rarely see 6FT, if feed properly, meaning not overfed and slow grown.

A 4X2' should suffice for the life of a BCI male, and it will take 5-6 years for a BCI to reach adult size, so you have some time. Also, ask about the size of the parents. That plays a part as well.

BCC males may very well get 7FT+, but you are looking at BCI males, which is different. I do not think they are too many 7FT+ BCI males out there that were fed properly and grown slowly. 8FT, not likely. An 8FT female BCI is pretty big. Again, a 9-10FT female BCC is much more likely, along with a 7FT+ male.

BCI's are bred mostly for temperament and color/pattern/morph. I do not know many breeders that are out there trying to breed monsters, but you can ask.

Most BCI's, especially if handled from birth, although they are likely to have a strong food response, will be rather docile and more so with handling.

If you want to ensure a calm BCI, work with a breeder who knows each snake and can tell you who the calmest are, or at least who isn't nippy. Alternatively, if you get a juvenile instead of a baby, their "personality" will be more intact, and if calm and easy to handle, will probably stay that way, if not improve with regular handling with you.

Again, I would worry less about general species traits and more about the individual you are getting.

In a situation like this, working closely with a breeder is vital. Make sure you know what you are getting into.

I love BCI's because of the morph options and temperament and personality. I have nothing negative to say about dwarf species (and yes, and dwarf should be happy in a 4X2') but have limited experience.

Good luck and keep us in the loop.

[ckuhn003]

Temperament: There is enough range in temperament that you can get a nasty BCI from anywhere in the range. Most BCI are pretty good, though. The biggest factor is whether you start with a captive bred baby or a wild caught adult. The CB baby has by far the best temperament. And I figure that the worst temperaments are going to be selected out after a couple of generations of captive breeding.

Visual appearance: Boa constrictor babies tend to be rather dark and lighten a bit as they age. But speckling remains constant. Get pictures of the baby and parents before buying, if possible, so you can see if you like the looks.

Excellent information Paul….As you’ve stated, I’ve heard the same statements you made in regards to CBs having the best temperament which is very important to me. In my contacts w/ breeders, it’s one of the 1^st questions that I ask. In regards to visual appearance and size, I’ll start requesting info on the parents. For the Hog Island babies, they looked pretty clean but I believe the parents had some significant speckling which could be a sign of ‘things’ to come.

BCI's are bred mostly for temperament and color/pattern/morph. I do not know many breeders that are out there trying to breed monsters, but you can ask.

Most BCI's, especially if handled from birth, although they are likely to have a strong food response, will be rather docile and more so with handling.

If you want to ensure a calm BCI, work with a breeder who knows each snake and can tell you who the calmest are, or at least who isn't nippy. Alternatively, if you get a juvenile instead of a baby, their "personality" will be more intact, and if calm and easy to handle, will probably stay that way, if not improve with regular handling with you.

Again, I would worry less about general species traits and more about the individual you are getting.

In a situation like this, working closely with a breeder is vital. Make sure you know what you are getting into.

I love BCI's because of the morph options and temperament and personality. I have nothing negative to say about dwarf species (and yes, and dwarf should be happy in a 4X2') but have limited experience.

Good luck and keep us in the loop.

As always Daski, you are a blessing when it comes to well thought out responses and helping out others. I ‘think’ I know where I’m leaning on this but I just wanted others input because to me it’s a big choice that I’m going to have to live with for a LONG time I’ll be sure to keep everyone in the loop J

[bcr229]

I have 1.2 Tarahumaras, the smallest of the dwarf boas, as well as several BI morphs. The only real difference between them is that the Taras stayed defensive for a long period of time, where their larger cousins grew out of their baby nippiness fairly quickly. Otherwise care is the same, attitudes are the same feeding schedules are the same, etc.

[ckuhn003]

I have 1.2 Tarahumaras, the smallest of the dwarf boas, as well as several BI morphs. The only real difference between them is that the Taras stayed defensive for a long period of time, where their larger cousins grew out of their baby nippiness fairly quickly. Otherwise care is the same, attitudes are the same feeding schedules are the same, etc.

Thanks BCR...I was hoping to hear from some owners like yourself who had both dwarfs and BCIs. If at all possible, I'd like to avoid the nippiness

[AbsoluteApril]

I've been hissed at and struck at by my hogs and my normal Bi (BCi). Boa babies can be nippy but mostly for show and strikey a bit, almost all grow out of it. both my hog isle I can handle without issue, majority of my boas I can handle without issue, sometimes they have an off day, any species can. The more you work with them the calmer they will be, same for most species. A boa that is calm with the breeder might get defensive in a new enviroment and be strikey with you when it never struck at the breeder, or could be strikey with the breeder and then the calmest sweetheart and never an issue with you. /shrug. there's no magic formula for it.
Clean babies are clean adults, speckled babies are speckled adults. Wild types of both, esp hog isle are generally speckled, people breed for 'cleanness' (low speckles) because they like the look. One of my hogs is highly speckled (more like a wild type) and the other was bred for cleanliness. I think the speckled ones look more 'pure' but both of mine are multiple generation cbb pure, it's just part of their normal variation (same in any boa locality).
Boas are awesome, males are generally smaller. I think you'll be happy with whatever you choose.

[ckuhn003]

I've been hissed at and struck at by my hogs and my normal Bi (BCi). Boa babies can be nippy but mostly for show and strikey a bit, almost all grow out of it. both my hog isle I can handle without issue, majority of my boas I can handle without issue, sometimes they have an off day, any species can. The more you work with them the calmer they will be, same for most species. A boa that is calm with the breeder might get defensive in a new enviroment and be strikey with you when it never struck at the breeder, or could be strikey with the breeder and then the calmest sweetheart and never an issue with you. /shrug. there's no magic formula for it.
Clean babies are clean adults, speckled babies are speckled adults. Wild types of both, esp hog isle are generally speckled, people breed for 'cleanness' (low speckles) because they like the look. One of my hogs is highly speckled (more like a wild type) and the other was bred for cleanliness. I think the speckled ones look more 'pure' but both of mine are multiple generation cbb pure, it's just part of their normal variation (same in any boa locality).
Boas are awesome, males are generally smaller. I think you'll be happy with whatever you choose.

Awesome stuff April. So do you have 'favorite' in your BOA collection? The Hog's seemed a little bit more exciting to me after I realized how hard they were to obtain.

[Gio]

Almost any male boa, be it BCI or BCC has the potential to reach the same size as a female.
In captivity even more so if the snake isn’t exposed to the phermonal breeding cues given off by a female and simply raised as a pet.


My male, Barranquilla, Colombian is a 6.5 to 7 foot animal. I don’t feed him from late October until late March. (6 years old) He grows more when he is off feed as an adult. That span of fasting seems to be recognized by the experts as a period in which growth takes place. Vincent Russo, Gus Rentfro and Eugene Bassett speak of seasonal changes and a natural chain of events that lead to less feeding. Russo discusses in his book his observations when his animals are not eating. Energy usually used for digestion goes toward growth.

I have experienced the same.
I did not use the seasonal method until my boy was 2 years old.



A boa without locality data can be a mix of BCC and BCI. It may look BCI but end up larger because of some cross way back in its lineage. Don’t assume “common boa” is a guarantee of anything. It may stay small or have some substantial size genetics in it.



If you are looking for something in particular go with a breeder that specializes in what it is you seek.

There are dwarf animals. Research the island populations and read about their adaptations to the migratory habits of certain birds and other animals. They are smaller due to their environment, prey size and prey availability during the year.

Colombian boas can get very large but any huge boa is the exception not the rule. People can be 7 feet tall however most people are not.

I’m using a phone here and can’t go into much more detail.

This is a good site.
https://boa-constrictors.com/en/_home

A boa is an excellent choice, and if raised properly, you’ll have a long lived pet. Most end up very docile which is why they are often recommended as the perfect big snake.