Dwarf Boa Constrictors

[Krj-2501]

Which one is the best type of Dwarf Boa constrictor, especially in terms of temperament and disposition.

I am looking at the following.

- Hog Island Boa
- Cay Caulker Island Boa
- Crawl Cay Boa
- Sonoran Boa
- Tarahumara Mountain boa


Also is there any other localities I need to consider?

[Tsubaki]

You could consider the Nicaragua, Honduras (firebelly), El salvador, and Mexican imperator boas. Also mind that Hog island might be smaller than most constrictors but bigger than most dwarfs, especially females can get quite big. Same with the Costa Ricas, depending on where exactly they come from, they're around in multiple sizes. While Costa Ricans are one of the most colourfull dwarfs out there, its hard to find a pure one, always look at the parents for a size indication. Temperament and disposition differs from snake to snake much more as from species to species. I've personally owned and bred Hog Islands, Nicaraguans, Costa Rican firebellies and Tarahumaras and seen a lot of variation between the lot. Most were very defensive as babies and calmed later.

Also if you like morphs, a few dwarfs are around with morphs that originated in their population. So a few pureblooded morphs are around. Like Hypo and T+ Nicaraguans, or Hypo Sonorans etc.

[richardhind]

as tsubaki says snakes differ so much in temperament and personality and most defensive nippy baby's often chill out as they learn you are not going to harm them. there are plenty of nice dwarf locality boas the Nicaraguan 'corn island ' boas are nice and colourful too with a nice a red belly very similar to the Honduran fire bellies,theirs also plenty of nice smaller bci morphs available now too.
good luck in finding one for your collection

[Krj-2501]

As I recall - the Tarahumaras & Sonorans are one/two localities(depending on your POV) of the Mexican Imperator boas.

I have heard of the Central American imperator boas - Costa Rican, Nicaragua, Honduras, before. Which I guess are consider to be dwarfs when you compare them to the typical Columbian imperator.

I realized that the temperament and disposition of individual snakes varies due to individuality. So when I ask about their temperament and disposition - I mean in general terms not specific.

[richardhind]

I've got Nicaraguan and corn island nics I've only had the latter two months and they both fine a little bit wary but I've only just had the pair , my female two yr old hypo Nicaraguan is fine loves being and never struck or hissed at me but I've probably been lucky as only two out my 12 boas are a bit of. A grump sometimes ones 7 and I'm hopeing my 1yr old img settles down. All the others are great , hope this helps

[Minkness]

I love my pure hog island girl. However her mother was 7 feet. She will be an impressive lady when she grows up for sure but should be a goid match for the 5.5 foot adult male boa I have as well.

[Krj-2501]

My top three choices - are the Hog Island Boa. Costa Rican Boa, and Sonoran Boa.

All three are fairly easy to find, and fairly affordable. And I generally like the looks of all three forms.

The Tarahumara Boa, & Cay Caulker Boa are a bit harder to find, and complete my top 5 choices.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I don't personally consider Hogs dwarves at all, they get the same size as the average Colombian. They average 5'-7' with the potential for 8'. Even pure.

As far as Costa Ricans, if there's a large size discrepancy depending on where they're from that would explain a lot. A lot people say they stay under 6', but I saw WC Costa Ricans in a Costa Rican serpentarium that were easily all 6'+ and I wouldn't be surprised if the largest ones were 8'+.

I'd look to the others on the list if you want to be sure you'll have a small snake.

[Krj-2501]

I don't personally consider Hogs dwarves at all, they get the same size as the average Colombian. They average 5'-7' with the potential for 8'. Even pure.


I tend to question - if the so-called 7-8 foot female Hog island Boas - are actually 100% pure Hog Islands, or are they actually Hybrids with the larger Central American BCIs. If they are pure Hog Islands - then more likely they are the result of heavy feeding. As this is often reported to happen in other constrictors as well, such as heavily feed dwarf/super dwarf reticulated pythons. Which may - in captivity get 2-3 feet larger - than the largest WC recorded specimens.

Most I have read so - far suggest that most of the Mexican locality BCIs (Tarahumaras, Sonorans, and Tamaulipas) all max out at about 5 feet. With the Tarahumara females breeding at less than 39 inches in length. The Sonorans and Cay Caulkers females have both been reported to breed at 3.5-4 feet.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I tend to question - if the so-called 7-8 foot female Hog island Boas - are actually 100% pure Hog Islands, or are they actually Hybrids with the larger Central American BCIs. If they are pure Hog Islands - then more likely they are the result of heavy feeding. As this is often reported to happen in other constrictors as well, such as heavily feed dwarf/super dwarf reticulated pythons. Which may - in captivity get 2-3 feet larger - than the largest WC recorded specimens.

Most I have read so - far suggest that most of the Mexican locality BCIs (Tarahumaras, Sonorans, and Tamaulipas) all max out at about 5 feet. With the Tarahumara females breeding at less than 39 inches in length. The Sonorans and Cay Caulkers females have both been reported to breed at 3.5-4 feet.

I have been told that some of the original Hog Island stock - wild caught - was imported at 8'. I believe it was Crutchfield? I always forget his name, but he was a big-name importer back in the day, and is no longer in the hobby.

Breeders who feed their Hogs as conservatively as I feed my Colombians also end up with 7' breeder females, easily. You could power feed a Nicaraguan, and I don't think you'd be able to get it larger than 6', 6.5'. I could be wrong, but I've never heard of a Nic or other dwarf that was 8'.

[toddnbecka]

Tom Crutchfield retired? I didn't realize he was out of the hobby, he had thousands of animals he bred and raised as well as importing. Too old to mess with the HOTS any longer or what?

[Krj-2501]

If it is Tom Crutchfield, and he did actually retire - then he must have left the business to his kids. Because the website is still operational, with lots of reptiles to sale. Of course it is also possible that it may not have been undated in a few years.

Still in terms of dwarf boas - I am looking more into the Mexican imperators (Sonoran & Tarahumaras, specifically).

[bigsnakegirl785]

As I say, I don't remember his name, I'm always getting them all mixed up. It's a Cruthfield-type guy, someone that did a bunch of exotic photography and importation. Might not be Crutchfield himself (was kinda hoping the name at least would trigger something though).

Sonorans and Tarahumaras are real nice. A pure Sonoran leopard is especially nice, but if Taras were easier to find I'd probably have one in a heartbeat (after I get my "Colombian" breeding stock rounded out).

[toddnbecka]

Regarding temperament and disposition, I have 33 (9 adult, 24 yearling) Hispanola boas, and none have never bitten or struck. Worst they ever do is musk. They usually grow 7'-9' depending on sex, females being the larger ones. Semi-arboreal, generally similar to a carpet python of large rat snake in behavior and length/girth ratio. They mainly develop into 1 of 3 color phases as adults, grey pastel, brown, or red.

[Krj-2501]

As I recall - the Hispaniolan Boas are closely related to the Rainbow Boas (Genus- Epicrates) - and are not a form or sub-species of Boa Constrictor. Which is what I referring when asking about Dwarf Boa Constrictors.

I will agree that "regular" Sonorans seem to be much easier to find than either the Leopards, or Tarahumaras. Still I do like the looks of the regular Sonorans as well.

[riddick07]

Brian Vuillemenboa on Facebook had a litter of Tarahumara recently. Not sure if there are any left but my two are from him.