Should I go with the Boa or try for something smaller?

[qiksilver]

You're reccomending Corn Islands to someone new to boas? Interesting. Personally if I were you I'd go with something cheaper as a first animal, personally I love my Nicaraguans, some are snappy and some are fine to deal with. But I think they're great. I don't do Colombian boas at all, I'm only interested in the Central American and Insular forms. All these are small, getting maybe 5 feet max.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/DSC01368.jpg
sorry for the link, my pic refuses to size down no matter what I do.

[frankykeno]

Personally I think if you work with Jimi or another boa breeder of that knowledge and standard, you won't go wrong. I'm glad you aren't looking at a pet store purchase. I was in our local chain store pet store the other day and about fell over at the $169.99 price tag for the poor little BCI that got stuck being sold by them. Some new keeper is going to put out that cash and gawd help them and that underfed looking, stressed out little boa.

It sounds like you are taking your time and really making long term decisions about owning a boa. I'd definitely suggest a male as they have a tendency to stay smaller. There's a huge difference in our 3 year old male BCI (Severus) and our 16 year old female BCI (Tequila). While Luke can easily manage Sev on his own, Tequila isn't a snake I want my teenagers handling alone ever. For that matter, I don't handle her myself alone since I'm barely over 5 feet and she's between 8 and 9 feet long.

I will say BCI's I think are a great choice. They normally are even tempered if handled correctly. Aren't terribly picky about what they eat. Aren't easily stressed as compared to ball pythons. A very nice snake for a pet for the right owner.

[gothkenny]

how much do you know and how much exp do you have with different additudes from POed to chillin and how much exp do you have with rtbs?

I have been studying snakes in general (mostly BPs though) for about 2 1/2 to 3 years but I've only had about six months of studying with BCCs and BCIs. I have only owned 2 snakes, a Northern Brown Snake WC for a while and then my Ball Python. I've gone to our petstore before and held some of their animals, claiming to be super interested in that breed. XD I wanted to check out how healthy their animals were. But really, other than that, I don't have much hands-on experience. I can study my butt off but I don't really know how to get that needed experience since I don't know anyone with snakes...
Anyone in Grand Rapids want to lend their pissy snake out to me for a few days? LOL!

[gothkenny]

Personally I think if you work with Jimi or another boa breeder of that knowledge and standard, you won't go wrong. I'm glad you aren't looking at a pet store purchase. I was in our local chain store pet store the other day and about fell over at the $169.99 price tag for the poor little BCI that got stuck being sold by them. Some new keeper is going to put out that cash and gawd help them and that underfed looking, stressed out little boa.

It sounds like you are taking your time and really making long term decisions about owning a boa. I'd definitely suggest a male as they have a tendency to stay smaller. There's a huge difference in our 3 year old male BCI (Severus) and our 16 year old female BCI (Tequila). While Luke can easily manage Sev on his own, Tequila isn't a snake I want my teenagers handling alone ever. For that matter, I don't handle her myself alone since I'm barely over 5 feet and she's between 8 and 9 feet long.

I will say BCI's I think are a great choice. They normally are even tempered if handled correctly. Aren't terribly picky about what they eat. Aren't easily stressed as compared to ball pythons. A very nice snake for a pet for the right owner.

Yeah, I'm really getting tempted on just buying from Jimi. I've seen some pretty nice Boas at our Expo a while ago but I really want to not have to deal with mites or any of that and I know I have the best chance of a healthy snake with Jimi. =) I'd rather sacrifice that extra money from buying from him then having to spend that money on vet bills.

I don't remember if you posted it before, but how long is Severus and do you think he'll grow any longer? (I have no idea about what age BCIs stop growing...)

Yeah, I got lucky with my Ball Python. As soon as he came into our house, he hasn't had ONE feeding problem EVER. I say that was more than good luck. ehh?

I have two more questions though, one, I have a 3 1/2 year old in my house (but he's a BIG one at that!) and my mom's all freaked out that if the snake gets 8 feet big or something that he could mistake my little brother as food. I HIGHLY think thats unlikely... I mean, he'd just be eating jumbo rats or small rabbits at that length but I just wanted to get a Boa owner's opinion on that to show her thats pretty much impossible. Also, secondly, do you think I'd ever have to feed him rabbits? I don't care about actually having to do it, but I don't have a sorce for rabbits that I can think of... Can I just go about giving him a couple rats instead?

[gothkenny]

You're reccomending Corn Islands to someone new to boas? Interesting. Personally if I were you I'd go with something cheaper as a first animal, personally I love my Nicaraguans, some are snappy and some are fine to deal with. But I think they're great. I don't do Colombian boas at all, I'm only interested in the Central American and Insular forms. All these are small, getting maybe 5 feet max.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/DSC01368.jpg
sorry for the link, my pic refuses to size down no matter what I do.

Are Corn Islands hard to keep? Must say, I've never heard of them... D: I hate not knowing all this Boa stuff. Makes me feel stupid when I'm the one saying I want one...

OH WOW! Is that a Nicaraguan? I've never been attracted to them before (along with the Hog Islands) but that is one jaw dropping snake! Is that some sort of morph or something? For some reason that snake just blew my mind.

[Wh00h0069]

Dwarf Boa? I must say, I've never heard of that before! I'll have to look that up, it sounds awesome!

I am completely ready. Right now I'm just working to save up the money, have a 20 gallon set up for when he's little and I'm not going to buy the snake until I have enough money for a new enclosure, and some money for emergency vet situtations. I'm going to take this one slow. I got a little rushed into my Ball Python (the person was giving it away, they were going into the war) and I made some poor descions while trying to scramble it all together. Luckily he's doing good now. Finally got the humidity boosted up in his cage and I'm hoping wwe won't have another stuck shed.

Glad to hear it. Good luck when you do finally decide to get one.

[Wh00h0069]

I have two more questions though, one, I have a 3 1/2 year old in my house (but he's a BIG one at that!) and my mom's all freaked out that if the snake gets 8 feet big or something that he could mistake my little brother as food. I HIGHLY think thats unlikely... I mean, he'd just be eating jumbo rats or small rabbits at that length but I just wanted to get a Boa owner's opinion on that to show her thats pretty much impossible. Also, secondly, do you think I'd ever have to feed him rabbits? I don't care about actually having to do it, but I don't have a sorce for rabbits that I can think of... Can I just go about giving him a couple rats instead?

I highly doubt that your male BCI would get 8 feet. Your probably looking at around 5-6 feet. You should also not have to ever feed him rabbits. I suggest feeding him large rats as an adult. Remember males stay much smaller than females in length and girth. And they also will be eating every two weeks as opposed to ever week like ball pythons.

Hope this helps.

[Mike Schultz]

I have two more questions though, one, I have a 3 1/2 year old in my house (but he's a BIG one at that!) and my mom's all freaked out that if the snake gets 8 feet big or something that he could mistake my little brother as food. I HIGHLY think thats unlikely... I mean, he'd just be eating jumbo rats or small rabbits at that length but I just wanted to get a Boa owner's opinion on that to show her thats pretty much impossible.

By the time the snake is 8 feet long your little brother will be your age

And an 8 foot boa wouldnt be able to eat anything as large as a 3 year old, but it could theoretically kill even a full grown man at that size.

[starmom]

Having a little toddler in the house is similar to having a small dog, cats, birds, even you!! A good keeper does not permit a snake to roam the house unattended. A good keeper of snakes make certain that their snake-caging needs are taken care of completely.

With a Bci, a reptile cage is a really good plan given that they are so very strong. I have my three Bci females in 2x3x1 cages from RBI heated by RHP's. These cages are terrific and fit the bill quite nicely. Two of my girls are yearlings and I am just now starting to see new cages in their futures. As I have been planning for this eventuality for some time, and I will purchase them each their own AP T20 (6x2x2), with RHP's and glass doors.

My point is, if you purchase or build appropriate caging for the snake you choose, the only way for a snake to escape is through human error. That said, I am pretty certain that there has not ever been a human death related to a Bci. (Other members, please correct me if I am wrong!)

In my opinion, I don't beleive you are too young for a Bci with the caveat that you have adult back-up; and it sounds like your step-dad is happy to be your back-up! Lucky you!!

My opinion is bias as to the snake to choose; I only have Bci's. I love them....well, there is one who I choose to believe has it out for me!! Lol!!! I am trying to love her through it!!! Lol!!!!! I strongly recommend that if you choose to adopt a Bci that you speak with Jimi who is a mod on this forum. He knows the personalities of his snakes and their offspring and he is a real stand-up guy. He would absolutely be able to sell you a snake that is mellow and perfect for you. And, icing on the cake, his snakes are totally gorgeous!!!!

Lastly, maybe you could invite your mom to this forum so that she might be able to ask the questions she might have and air any concerns that might be bothering her. She would be able to receive reliable information which might allow her to feel more comfortable with the safety concerns she has shared with you.

Anyway, it is very cool that you are doing all of this investigation prior to adopting a snake. In the end, this will pay off for you and your family as you will choose the best type of snake and have your husbandry and caging in order.

Take care.

[qiksilver]

Are Corn Islands hard to keep? Must say, I've never heard of them... D: I hate not knowing all this Boa stuff. Makes me feel stupid when I'm the one saying I want one...

OH WOW! Is that a Nicaraguan? I've never been attracted to them before (along with the Hog Islands) but that is one jaw dropping snake! Is that some sort of morph or something? For some reason that snake just blew my mind.

Corn Islands are a bit rare in captivity and are very expensive, I would never recommend them unless you had prior boa breeding experience, not as rare or expensive as Sabogae boas, but in my opinion up there.

Yes she's a Nic, and not a morph, just a locale boa.