Disposition question

[metalcopper]

I'm looking at getting a bcc, a Guyanan specifically. This snake is so gorgeous, I just can't pass it up. She is about 2 years old, and is coming from a reputable breeder for the local reptile pet shop in town here. My question is, is there a difference in attitude and disposition between the bcc and the bci's? I have read conflicting information on this. I am very experienced with large pythons, but not as much with boas.

[DeadlyDesires]

from what i've heard, i think bcc's are a little more prone to "protect" themselves.

[Corey209]

When my brother first got his female, she was a little aggressive but she never bit. After a couple weeks of handling she was like any other boa.

[Lankyrob]

Snakes are like people, some are great and friendly/cuddly and others will rip you a new one before you can say hello.

[Spirit_Scale]

The more experience I get handling different species (and multiple individuals of the same species) it becomes less of a species thing and more of an individual temperament in combination with that snake's experience of people.

Now yes, each species has a tendency to be XYZ and some individuals just never tame down---but I feel that more often than not all snakes of all species can/will become docile if allowed to acclimate to people, if their individual/species quirks are respected and if they have pleasant experiences with people.
Which is why, in contrast to some who believe handling should be minimal, I believe you should handle your animals as often as possible (avoiding too much stress/illness/lack of feeding of course) because it is safer and less stressful for everyone (including that animal) involved if that animal is used to people.
Even though, for example, ball pythons are regarded as pet rocks and uber docile I would rather reach into the cage of a blood python or tree boa that is used to people and being handled then reach in to grab a ball who has not been handled much/handled roughly.
They do however have 'flavours' of tame depending on individual or species.

My BP for example, as long as I avoid moving very quickly or moving over his head, isn't skittish---even then of course he'll retreat rather than bite.
My BCI on the other hand doesn't care how quickly I move etc but he *has* to feel secure and supported.

As long as I keep both those in mind both snakes are very docile.

[Ddub]

I have to agree that it's more about the individual boa and how you interact with them. I keep only bcc (suriname) at the moment and while each has its own personality type, non of them are difficult to interact with, they don't bite, and with the exception of a couple flightier individuals they are calm and relaxed when I clean cages and take out for general handling and pictures. I've kept bci in the past and I have not noticed much of a difference in disposition as a whole. It all boils down to the individual and how you handle them. Some will tolerate things that others will get upset at. You just have to read their body language.

[DeadlyDesires]

I have a BCI and when i take her out to hold her shes chill about it but when she starts getting fussy she hisses in my ear lol! .. shes got a little attitude on her i've never actually kept BCC's just stating what i heard. i also believe it depends on how you treat the snake. but you can also get some that are just piss and vinegar and those are the "look no touch" beauties lol...

[metalcopper]

I agree that it varies from snake to snake, I was just curious as to anyone's opinion on an overall basis as to how the bcc is compared to the bci. I have two younger children and nieces and nephews that like to see my snakes too; I don't want to get a bcc expecting it to be as docile as a bci and be surprised by a major difference in disposition. Of course, I am always there with them when handling my snakes, but I want them to be able to handle a large boa if I had one.

[DeadlyDesires]

just make sure you get it as a hatchling and get it hooked trained well and you shouldn't have any issues.