Getting into boas hopefully

[Skullkid]

Seeing as im new to the large snake scene, i found it fit to research b4 i was actually sure its a good idea to get a boa. First, i was wondering what the differences are between BIC's and BCC's, besides adult tail color and saddle shape. Secondly, i have reda that aquariums should be a last resort bcause they are jus too difficult to maintain, but r they rly that bad? Being only 15, i dont have the financial resources to pay for a custom cage bcause i have to pay for EVERYTHING myself with less than $600 in my bank account. Also, i am planning to go away to college in two years nd i already have more pets than i can handle nd have even arranged to give sum away. I plan to take my BP with me, but shoold i wait till after college to get the boa? My neighbor has had a boa since i was 4 (the whole reason i got into them) and i have taken care of it while she was on vacation and handled it often. I've noticed that it is rather large. when he measured it, it came out to be just under 15 feet. Is this considered giant or is it a common occurenece? And lastly, What size enclosure (WxLxH or gallons) woold be the minimum for a 10 foot boa? Any help VERY much appreciated, thnxxx.Oh, and sum people say that if im asking these questions im not ready for a boa. But i assure you, i have had a desire to get one for m any years, and it has just gotten stronger when i attempted to get rid of it by buying another snake, so i DEFINITELY want and am ready for a boa. peaceee

[raptorslovepuns]

You're not ready for a boa.

1) You've got more pets than you can handle.
2) You want to scrimp and cut corners on caging which will be less expensive in the long run compared to feeding and maintaining the boa.
3) You're going to college, if you don't plan on taking it with you, who's going to care for it?
4) If you've wanted one for many years, you can want one for a few more years. It's always better to wait a few more years than jump in and not properly care for a critter.

College is expensive. Trust me, there's all kinds of stupid things that go wrong that SUCK up your money. It wouldn't be college without beer [if you're legal!], girls, [oops], books and random road trips. Why skip out on that?

Even if you can't wait til you graduate college, wait til your sophomore year in college. You'll have a handle on your stuff, and you'll be able buy a snake then.

A boa is going to be around for 20 years +. There isn't going to be anyone who's going to want to take it off your hands, so imagine having to take care of this snake all the way through college, through your first job and graduate school, through your first marriage and in all likelihood being around for your first kid. If you wait a few extra years, he'll be around long enough for your kid to grow big enough to be a nice feeder

[ladywhipple02]

First things first: the difference between a BCI and BCC is mainly locality. They are both boa constrictors, but the first is a boa constrictor imperator and the second is a boa constrictor constrictor. There are many other different localities as well, including occidentalis (Argentines), longicauda (long-tails), amarali (Bolivians) and sabogae. The differences are many---the number of saddles, peaks in the saddles, color of the tail---and can be as minute as how many ventral scales a snake has (check out www.riobravoreptiles.com for some excellent academic information).



Now, on to the not so fun stuff:
I totally agree with what has been said above. I don't think it's a great idea to get a boa at the moment. Being as I just graduated from college myself, I implore you to take this advice: most dorm rooms do not allow pets at all... and most especially not a snake that will grow up to seven or eight feet in length (BTW, I HIGHLY doubt your neighbor's snake is a boa at fifteen feet in length... pics?). Plus, the above poster is correct... money is going to become an issue. It just will. I promise.

I got into snakes in my third year of college---when I got out of the dorms and got my own apartment---and struggled every single day to feed myself and all of my animals. At one point, I was working two part time jobs almost 50 hours a week, and going to class full time. Are you ready for this type of committment? Do NOT get an animal with the intention of getting rid of it in a couple years. It is very irresponsible to do so.

Please please please consider the happiness and welfare of the animal... as well as your own!

[raptorslovepuns]

Yeaaaaah I didn't even get into the part about pet restrictions.

A cage big enough for a 3m boa will take up a huge freakin portion of your dorm room. Some dorm rooms are TINY, like 8x4. Which is about the right size for a boa

[ladywhipple02]

I suppose I should ammend and say, while you may mentally be ready for a boa, there are so many other considerations. If you are sole supporter of your collection, you really need to think about the upcoming costs you will be incurring. A six-eight foot boa is not cheap to feed.

You cannot think short term with a snake... it is a 20+ year committment. If you aren't ready to make that---and very few people are at age 15---then it's not time.

Personally, this is my belief: too many things change when you're young and you never know what that next corner will hold. Don't tie yourself down just yet. Patience is hard... but so worth the wait. Good luck!

[tobiasking]

I completely agree with everything thats been said, buying a boa before college probably isn't the best idea.

I recently bought a baby BCI and a new vivarium for him and my BP, the vivarium cost me £215 so whatever that converts to in dollars. You need to be able to fit a cage which will give the boa more than enough space to be happy, because at the end of the day thats your main priority.

Perhaps if you look into getting a baby in a year or so, so you don't need such a big tank.



TEK

[shhhli]

i agree if you have to ask you have not researched enough. now, granted, i did ask, but mainly because i was confused on localities and wanted additional information, links and such..

i would say for you the best thing to do is get your current animals taken care of, and after you get a good bit more than 600$ in the bank, plus hold down a steady job longer than six months and are moved into your dorm (which usually does not allow pets) or your apartment (which probably does not allow snakes) you need to assess the situation.

mainly, are you paying your way, are your parents? will they provide everything? where exactly will you live? for how long?

then you need to, in my opinion, put up the money for the cost of the snake, a years supply of food 500$ away for unplanned vet bills, and purchase and dry run (practice getting the temps right) the best caging you can afford.

until you can properly provide for yourself, hold down a job, and have all the essentials for your snake i would not advise in getting one.

[Skullkid]

Thanks guys, u gave me the exact answer i expected u too, but that's my fault, i did leave out sum key points. First, the college i plan on attending is a 10 minuted drive from my house now, so i won't be leaving for at least another 6 years until i go to graduate school, and by then i know i'll at least have a place where i can happily fit a boa and my bp. the other pets i mentioned are two leopard geckos, a bullfrog, and a pacman frog, all of which i have alrady arranged homes for and am giving them away in december to make room for the boa when i get it next year. As for the cage, i wasn't planning on buying one, but rather after it outgrows a 55 gallon i will build one. I'm looking at an academic scholarship, and if not my parents are going to pay, and books i was planning on buying the ones i needed used. the stuff that goes on in college (wink wink) wont be a problem either bcause my dad has had experience with snakes as well as my brother and neither woold mind watching them while im not there. so ive taken all of this into account, and im already aware that it is a commitment, as it is when you buy any animal. and as for pics, ill c wat i can do, but unfortunately all i have to work with is a crappy cellphone camera.

[Kagez28]

all i can say is good luck...

you will be over your head quickly

but its your life

[Skullkid]

i understand how much of a commitment it is, as well as how quickly it can go wrong, and also of my own situation. I never said that i was going to go out and buy it against all the advice i get, but merely that it could be alot harder than it currently would be if i did get one. Im not planning to get one anytime soon, so i will have time to get money and provide proper care, and was only asking for advice, not to be attacked.