Doing some boa research. Would appreciate help!

[Cheesenugget]

(Sorry. Long post ahead.)

Hey everyone! I am doing some research on boa husbandry and thought I would reach out to this community with my questions. Don't feel like you have to answer every single one, but any amount of feedback would be appreciated.
I am considering a female BCI or a female dumerils.

1. How would you compare boa husbandry to BP husbandry? My only other reptile is a male normal BP and I have found the experience challenging at times, but overall very rewarding and pretty easy. I have heard boa care is similar to BP care.
Here's a quick rundown of my BP enclosure. Would any of these things work just as well for a boa?

• Exoterra 24x18x18 (I have half the top covered to keep humidity in.) This will obviously have to be much bigger for a boa.
• Substrate: Eco Earth Coconut Fiber (about half an inch)
• Ambient temp: 80 degrees (thermostat controlled CHE)
• Cool side: same as ambient
• Hot side: 90 degrees (thermostat controlled UTH)
• 3 hides (one on cool end, one on hot end, and one in the middle just for some variety)
• Humidity 60% (I have a Reptirain misting system)

2. How big is too big for a boa enclosure? If I were to get a juvenile BCI I would house her in a 40 gallon and then eventually upgrade to a 8'x2'x2' for her adult years. I have heard recommendations for smaller sized adult BCI enclosures because it will make them feel more secure but I thought I would consult you guys on this one. As for an adult dumeril I'm looking at a 6'x2'x2'.

3. Terrestrial or arboreal enclosure for BCI? I have heard that the babies like to climb but don't really do it in their adult years.

4. How picky are boas compared to BPs when it comes to eating?

5. Do boas need a dish big enough to soak in? I have heard so many different opinions on this one.

6. This is a weird, kind of unrelated question but how often do you take your reptiles to the vet? I take my BP once a year for a checkup but have heard that it isn't necessary? lol maybe I'm just a paranoid snake mom.

Those are the questions I have for now! Thanks again for any feedback and any other useful info you can think of would be greatly appreciated.

I have a male Dumerils boa. Pic is a little outdated but almost at a year old, he did not get much bigger. Reason being is Dumerils boa mature very slowly compared to other species of boa. If you plan to breed with your female, it may take at least 5 years to mature plus additional time if it did not gain enough weight prior to breeding. It is not unusual for females to start breeding at 7 years of age or older. Hence, they are less easy to find and less inviting for most breeders.

That aside, this is the basics for a Dumerils boa:

Hotspot at about 85F. Contrary to caresheets, these snakes prefer cooler temps.

Hides are less important than burrowing substrate. About 3 inch minimum of substrate that they can burrow and hide in. I use aspen for my enclosure.

Tubs work best as these snakes still need some humidity of about 50-60% like a ball python.

These are shy snakes. If you had experience working with a ball python that won't eat, then you are ready for one.

The care difficulty is similar to ball pythons but a step up. While almost all Dumerils boa do not bite (I have yet to be bitten or heard any other owners who were), these are powerful snakes as adults and should it choose to bite, it may do some damage compared to a ball python. Fortunately these snakes are extremely, super docile no matter. I have never been tagged or hissed by my boa even from the start. They prefer to run away when they are scared but calms down quickly once it learned you are not going eat him.

Lastly, these are beautiful snakes. Pictures do not do them justice. Their scales are smooth and the patterns are gorgeous. While no morphs existed for this species, there are 'bloodlines' such as pinkish hue on its body or the boldness of the patterns, but these are rare and comes at a high price.

These snakes are slow moving, easy to handle, extremely underrated and make wonderful pets if some patience and work is given.

And about your vet question, I do take all of herp pets to the vet when needed. Yearly check ups don't really apply to these guys like our furballs because of how different their metabolism and bodies are. So far, I only had taken my bearded dragon and blue tongue skink to the vet for minor concerns. The rule of thumb for me is, when in doubt, and/or I don't have access to the medicine that I need, I would go to the vet (One who specializes in the SPECIES that I am bringing over).

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