need some choice help

[ballpythonandragon]

Ok Im ready to give a boa another shot, this time im getting one from a breeder other than a petshop. Im wanting a really nice looking tail like the BCC but a friend swears he keep his in male in a 4ft and his female 6ft. But i don't believe those are big as they should have. So im wanting a boa that will work well in the *Christmas Tub* when he's an adult. So would a BCI work better for me than a BCC.? Or would it be better to purchase the 4ft Boaphile? This is a snake that i have wanted for a very long time and I'm ready to keep one. Also wife and I have a baby on the way in Augest and im wondering what you all suggest wait or go ahead and get a baby boa so it can grow with the Child on the way? Thanks Aaron

[Shelby]

I would definitely get a boaphile. Those tubs are a pain in the butt to say the least, and are just not secure enough for a strong boa. Plus they are ugly as anything.

You *may* be able to keep a male bci in a 4' cage. If he passes 8', you're going to want a 6' cage. If you really want a smaller boa, go for something like a hog island boa.

As long as you are responsible, there is no reason not to keep a boa when you have a human baby around.

[ballpythonandragon]

do you know of any breeders that are selling hog Island boas right now?
Or should i just go ahead and get the 6ft just in case? also do all bci take rabbits also i know some will but not all. Im going to keep the baby in a tub for right now until i need to purchase the full size cage. Im just having a hard time between a nice king, corn or the big boa it's just that i want a good feeding snake and it's not that im not sure about a boa it's just a smaller snake is just easier and cheaper to feed

[Shelby]

I'm sure you can find some hog islands on kingsnake and fauna.

Your average hog island will not need a 6' cage.. your average BCI or BCC will, however.

I feed all of my boas rats.. even the 20lb girl who is over 7'. They can take rabbits if you prefer.

[ballpythonandragon]

it's just that i would love to have a TRUE REDTAIL but they get alot bigger than a BCI right? I just don't wanna snake i can't handle by myself. And don't have to deal with rabbits.
Im just having a hard time between a nice king, corn or the big boa it's just that i want a good feeding snake and it's not that im not sure about a boa it's just a smaller snake is just easier and cheaper to feed

[Shelby]

Well.. do you want easy and cheap? If you want a true red tail (BCC) are you committed to caring for a potentially 10' 40lb+ snake? A full grown BCC is a snake that is better to have two people to care for when it's full grown. They are immensly strong.

[ballpythonandragon]

I love the pattern of the rtb boas either the BCC or the BCI, Im just wondering which would be a good choice for me it's just so hard to choose. I don't really care for the smaller snakes because they get so easly i think and boas just like to lay around ya and be cool when every corn and king ive held just wants to roam the room and never just lets you rub them. You have both which do you think i would like im just a big fan of the size and look and the sweetnest of a BCI. Could you tell me some of the pros and cons of keeping a Columbia vs king or corns and bulls

[ballpythonandragon]

This will also be my last snake for awhile so im making it a good one lol. Dream snake is a Tiger Retic but wife said no way lol.http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?cat=8&de=390522 if only i had the money to spend

[Shelby]

Boas don't always like to just lay around and let you pet them either. BCI are generally more calm than BCC.. but there are exceptions in each kind.

Not getting a king/corn/milk just because they are 'easy to get' is not a good reason. There are plenty of morphs and different kinds.. almost any color you want you can find in a smaller snake.

It comes down to what pleases YOU more that you are willing and able to care for.

[ballpythonandragon]

actually i like sticking with large rats at the most and i've read alot that corns and kings take large at the most at feeding and they eat very well. I don't think i'll really have the time between wanting to spend alot of time and the time it takes to care for a newborn and a rtb so i think i'll get either a king, corn, or bull snake i really like the bull snakes but i've also heard you have to handle them often to keep them calm with handling. Do you think it's not good to get a pet shop corn or snake. Should i just go ahead and get a snake from Kathy love?