Starter boa?

[LORI34205]

what would be a good starter boa for under 200 dollars and less than 8 feet long??
caging wouldnt be a problem, i have lots of time to spend with him and enough money to feed plenty.

[Zoe]

A colombian red-tailed boa would be great, but try and get a male... these guys are pretty, usually calm, and grow to about 6-8ft. They are relatively heavy bodied, but not so big you can't handle it alone.

Rosy/Sand boas are good too. These puppies stay real small, and are typically calm as well. They can stay in a relatively small cage and are quite attractive.

Hog island boas are a good choice. They stay relatively small (4-6ft). The only with them is I've heard they can be unpredictable (ie calm one day, strike the next).

Rainbow boas (colombian/brazilian) are great because they stay small (colombian> 4-5ft, brazilian> 6-7ft), but they require really high humidity, and I wouldn't recomend them to the novice keeper. They are also a little unpredictable when it comes to tempermant... I've met some total sweeties and others that strike through the glass at any movement.

Amazon Tree boas are very cool! they come in all sorts of interesting colours, and spend much of their time chillin on branches. They don't get too long, but they are for the most part VERY aggressive. If you want a snake you can handle, DONT get an ammie!

Well, I'd suggest a colombian red-tailed boa, or a rosy/sand boa. But it's up to you, look around and see what you like!

Zoe

[fanmaninacan]

GET my fav - HOG ISLAND BOAs---STAYS SMAL--n a real looker:)

OR GET a REAL NICE BCI!!!......THE REALLY GOOD TO.

ALL ARE VERY TAME:)

T.P

[snakemann87]

My recommendation since I own one, would be a BCI. They CAN get over 8ft but I highly doubt it if you get a male. But you never know. Also a Hogg Island boa stay small around the 4-5ft range I believe. Also Rosy Boas are supposedly good but I haven't looked up on them much. But the only thing is im not sure of the hogg price but i know you could get a nice male BCI for under 200.

[Linds]

Brazilian Rainbows can be great as long as you keep their temps lower (75-85 gradient) and their humidity high (80%+). They are great feeders and are the closest thing to getting a guaranteed handleable animal, although babies can be nippy the calm down fast and stay that way. They typically finish up 5-7 feet.
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22tagz-sun.jpg">

Colombian Rainbows are also an option, they are smaller (4-6 feet) and less colourful than Brazilians, but have similar requirements (though can tolerate lower humidity). They are usually fairly docile as well, but occassioanlly you get a grumpy one :p I don't have these in my current collection.

Hog Isle BCI are also great. They are usually fairly easy to manage, but they do have killer feeding reflexes, and while in their cage are locked in feed mode it seems :rolleyes: I wouldn't consider them to be unpredicatable in terms of snakes (all animals are unpredictable to some extent). They typically finish up around 4.5-6 feet, though my female below is over 6.5'.
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22peanutfsoutside-med.jpg">

Colombian BCI are relatively good, as long as you are prepared for their size. They usually finish up around 6-8 feet on average. They can be variable in temperament, moreso than the above mentioned I find, but if you get a baby it should be fine.
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22chasey-rock1.jpg">

Rosy Boas are some of my favourites. Cubby little buys :) Very underrated. Finish up in the 2-3 foot range. Super easy to care for, slowmoving and easy to handle, come in a variety of colours and patterns. Just keep them dry! Mexican locale...
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22sweetnesspumpkin1.jpg">

Sand boas can also be a good choice, though I do not have any in my collection at the time. Their care is similar to that of rosies. They finish up 1.5'-3'.

I wouldn't recommend a tree snake, such as an Amazon Tree Boa for a first snake, these are for more experienced keepers. They have exacting requirements, as well as can be quite high strung.

I wouldn't recommend BCC either, as they can be more sensitive in terms of care and temperament, and may also attain larger sizes.

[snakemann87]

Linds.......your DEFINATELY no help so dont ever post again on this topic. I mean how the H$LL is someone suppose to decide on ONE boa when you show them are your UGLY boas...god

LOLOL, I'm jk seriously I know if i had to choose I'd never be able to if I saw your boas. They're simply beautiful!!!!!! WOW lol have fun choosing Lori

[tabastifur]

I would suggest a Central American Boa. They are a locale that stay slightly smaller but still are quite heavily bodied and can reach 5-6 feet. They are/can be as handleable as a Columbian but don't retain as much of the pinky colour. You can get them anywhere from about 175-225 or so I've seen.