Columbian Boa's (boa constrictor imperator) are great snakes but take the time now to really do your research and make sure that down the road you are ready for the work that goes along with a much larger snake. They aren't the size of burms or retics granted but they can be a very large snake, quite heavy bodied and incredibly strong. Males don't reach much more than 6 or 8 feet but that's 6 or 8 big feet, very girthy, much heavier than a ball python ever attains. The females are even larger and heavier than the males.

They require larger or more prey, large housing and a lot of supervision when you take them out for a bit of exercise. They can and will get wrapped around furniture and believe me it's a lot of work to convince a 6 foot plus, strong as a bull male BCI to let go of your coffeetable. We are currently fostering a big male and at just over 6 feet he isn't showing signs of being quite finished growing yet.

There are also concerns about a mixed collection of boa's and pythons that you need to look into. Do some research on IBD (Inclusion Body Disease) in boa's and it's devastating effects on pythons. Quarantine is something that's always important when you add anything to your collection but especially so due to IBD.

I'm not trying to put you off. Personally we love both boa's and pythons but after having taken in this big BCI as an emergency foster situation, I just want to be very honest about how much work they are compared to smaller snakes so you don't take on more than you can handle. There are a lot of BCI's (and other bigger snakes) sitting in pet stores or reptile rescues because they got too much for their owners to manage or the owners didn't realize what they were taking on in the first place.

Another bit of advice, get your boa (or any snake for that matter) from a reputable breeder. You'll get a great young snake, well started, healthy, etc. which makes life way easier on you and your snake.