Advice about boas?

[SecurityStacey]

Hi there.

I'm thinking about getting a boa sometime in the future (not anytime soon - at least 6 months or so) and right now I'm just a blank slate on them.

I've read a few caresheets but there are just so many types I was hoping to get a point in the right direction as far as kinds before I start really researching.

I'm still pretty new to snakes - I've had a ball python for about a year or so, and that is the first herp I've had.

I really like the way that red tail boas look - but I live by myself and I know that you aren't supposed to handle ones that big by yourself. I don't want a really small one - since I've really taken a liken to larger snakes, but are there any about the size of a ball python that I could handle myself? Also, ones that are more on the docile side since I'm still relatively new - I can get the husbandry down (since thats numbers and tweaking) but I haven't had any experience with nippy or moody snakes since Stan is a sweetheart.

Thanks!

[Purrrfect9]

Like BP's, the male RTB are smaller than the females. BCI's ( columbian's and a couple other locals) I've heard are more tolerant of errors than the BCC's ( suri's, peruvians). males get 6-8 feet long, and females can get 8-10 feet, although the average size is 8 feet. I think you should be able to handle an adult male by yourself, it's the big females that you need to be more cautious about. I got a baby columbian for christmas and shes a total sweetheart. At my job, we have an adult male that's really sweet also, and he's very easy to handle by myself.

[jere000]

here in my opinion your looking for a small boa so get central american boa also goes by the name mexican boa its bci it averages 5-6 feet depending on the sex and as for what purrfect said a columbian probally wont hit 10 feet most likely hit 9 feet if that for a boa that will hit 10 feet your best chance would be bcc or in other words a suriname boa and i handle my boas alone

[SecurityStacey]

So you guys are saying that a full grown male RTB can be safely handled alone?

[JimiSnakes]

Male Colombians get about 5-6 feet and females get about 6-7 feet. Males can be handled alone without a problem MOST of the time, there's always the exceptions though. My biggest female is about 8 feet, but most of my females are around 6.5 feet. My biggest male is barely 5 feet, but most of my males are around 4-4.5 feet.

Hope this helps...

[mooingtricycle]

I would personally ( as i always do ) Suggest a Caulker Cay Boa

They are small *Lighter than a BP, and around males lengths*, ( i can post pics of my ADULT female) Very tame ( babies are nippy, but calm down quick) and absolutely simple to care for. I keep mine just like ALL of my other snakes.

You can also look into Brazilian Rainbow Boas ( who need higher humidity, but that is NOT hard to achieve if you do your research, and are good with your husbandry) As well as Sabogae Boas ( Very Expensive, but very small, simple care needs)

Tarahumara boas are also small, but on the pricy side of things.

Check out Gus's website www.riobravoreptiles.com Guy knows his stuff, and has pages dedicated to many different kinds of boas, with lots of information regarding that species!

There are lots, that i can recommend. You just have to do your research on the species you end up deciding to get.

[Wh00h0069]

There are quite a few dwarf boas that you could get that would stay a manageable size. I just purchased a pair of Sabogae "Pearl Island" boas. Adults max out around five feet with males a little smaller than females. There are many others. I suggest checking out http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/ or http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/ for more info.

[SecurityStacey]

Thanks everyone.

I'll take a look at those sites and see what looks appealing... and then come back here and get more advice!