Boa Constrictor size

[betoiguanas]

Hi !
I'd like to know if there are a boa constrictor or subespecies that don't get too big, mmm, let's say around 6'' (no more), and also, are they too dificult to keep, tame and feed?
I currently own a ball python, at the beggining was so frustrating, you know, the feeding process and all that stuff, but now I have some experience, how is their temperament?
Are they more agressive than balls? Well, my ball never attempt to bite me, but I'd like to here some opinions, I'm really attracted to own one of these beauties!

[mr86mister]

Brazilian Rainbow Boa, or a small male Red Tailed Boa...thats all I can think of!

[edie]

Maybe a small male red tail would work - but there is no telling if you end up with a male that will get larger than 6 feet - I know someone who had a male that was probably around 40 pounds or so - not sure about the length of that one!

Kenyan sand boas, Rosy boas, Rainbow boas - those all stay pretty small - some smaller than others.

Rosy boas and Kenyan sand boas are both very easy to keep - rainbow boas have some strict humidity requirements I think but I have not kept one.

They should be just as easy to feed as a ball python - my boas actually are easier to feed than my BPs - all on f/t too.

[_Venom_]

Yeah, there's no guarantee with male RTBs.
They are suually smaller but they can sometimes reach 8 feet

[Skiploder]

There is a similar thread on the next page. I will repost my answer from that thread:

When people ask for a smaller alternative to a RTB, I usually assume - perhaps mistakenly - that they are asking for a smaller version of the arch-typical BCC or BCI.

If that is the case, some options that fit the bill are the locality "dwarves" of the imperator genus (the Sonoran, Tarahumara, Crawl Cay, Caulker Cay, Corn Island, etc) variants. As others have stated. The amarali and longicauda fit the bill as do the venezualan red-tails. I've seen too many super-sized hogs lately..............

Eryx (sand boas) and Charina (rosy boas) are not in boinae subfamily - the are in the Erycinae family.

On the other hand, the Pacific Island Boas (Candoia) while in a different genus than the RTBs, are in the boinae subfamily - as are the "traditional" BCI, BCC, BCA, and BCL.

I have both Sonoran and Tarahumara BCI and after over five years of ownership, the largest has barely cracked 4.5' in length with proportionally narrower girth. Except for the size, they capture most of the essence of the RTB experience without the bigger food bill or caging expense.

I am always very cautious in recommending candoia or corallus (tree boas) to people looking for a "small" boa. The require more stringent husbandry practices, can be difficult eaters and are, as a rule, not as amenable to handling.

As to the second part of your question re: taming and feeding..........you can't tame a snake. You can get it acclimated to your presence and you can, through interaction with it, learn to read it's individual body language.

Many of the dwarf boas are quite a bit snappier than ball pythons and most likely will take a longer time to acclimate to you. As far as feeding goes, most BCIs and BCCs are less finicky than a regius.

[betoiguanas]

Thanks, I guess I'm gonna stay with my trusty BP, despite I really like the boa constrictor !

[KBakker]

Thanks, I guess I'm gonna stay with my trusty BP, despite I really like the boa constrictor !

There are a few boas witch you can have witch reach the same length as an average BP. just look at the post above..

tarahumare, Corn island, Caulkers cay, Crawl cay, Honduras mainland, Roatan firebellies, Honuras mainland firebellies, Niceragua, Maybe even Hog island males, Longicauda males perhaps... There are so plenty kinds of boas.. Even morphs witch stay smaller, just look at the parents of the boa witch you like to buy, based on length of the parents you have a good shot of the length witch is youre boa getting to..