Smaller Boas

[WrongPython]

I have been tossing around the idea of getting another boa. I really like normal boas. I also like dumerils, but they are hard to find. I have a 2x2x2 I've been thinking about filling with a brown amazon tree boa. My local pet store just happens to have a woma. They also have a bel ball. I've also been looking at my next purchase if I decide to breed. I have my number in to get a female t- matrix blood python. So there is that. This is just one of those decisions that will affect my collection for years to come. Every time I think I've made up my mind it changes again in a few days. I just dont know what to pursue. I love snakes, and I love many different species, but I love blood pythons too, and I would like to eventually breed. That being said I would also like a collection with more than 2 species.

There's nothing wrong with holding off a bit to figure out what you really want, especially when you're dealing with an animal that can live 20+ years. It sounds like you're making a pretty big decision that will determine the course of your snake keeping for the next few years, if not decades. I were in your shoes, I'd talk to breeders and experienced snake keepers with larger collections to see what their experiences are, spend some quality time with the snakes I already have, and sit and think on it all for a few months to determine what I really want to do. You seem to be going down a similar path already, so keep it up! Breeding snakes takes up a lot of space, time, and resources, so I'd lean towards keeping your collection on the small side for now if you're serious about breeding blood pythons (which it sounds like you are).

Now that that's been said, I would highly recommend checking out to Tommy Carpenter at TC Reptile if you're interested in smaller boas. He's a locality boa breeder who works with many of the localities mentioned on this thread (along with Solomon Island ground boas) and maintains a pretty informative website and Facebook page. I've been trading emails with him recently regarding some smaller ( < 6 foot) locality boas and he's been nothing but pleasant, professional, and informative. A few other people on this forum who have gotten snakes from him have reported similarly pleasant experiences. He'll be happy to talk boa and steer you towards the locality that's best for you.

You may want to check out Tamaulipas cloud forest boas. Tamaulipas boas top out around 4' - 5' and tend to be on the girthier side compared to other boas -- some have even compared them to members of the STP complex in terms of stature. They are either Boa imperator or Boa sigma (they've been reclassifying a lot of boas recently), so care should be similar to your typical BCI. Good luck!