Best starter Boa?

[ChristinaM]

Hey folks.....I'm still in the research phase. Just wonderring what would be a good starter boa? For someone inexperienced in snakes, but willing to research (just need names LOL) before buying and see whether or not it would fit in here.

I would really like a BRB, but the more I read, the more I'm thinking they are not for a beginner.

Thanks folks.

[Invictus]

BRBs are just fine for a beginner as long as you are prepared to create the right environment for them.

I'd recommend any of the following for beginners:

Kenyan Sand Boa
Rosy Boa
Male Colombian BCI
Either gender Central American BCI
BRB

In that exact order. Female Colombian BCI can get really big, and INCREDIBLY strong, so I wouldn't recommend those for beginners. Maybe for a second boa. :) Central American BCI tend to stay smaller, 5-6 feet, but have the same calm demeanor. Many people recommend Hog Isle boas for beginners. I recommend them ONLY if they are calm right from the time you get them. From what I've heard, many of them have serious attitude problems that they don't lose if you handle them. I can't comment from experience though.

[foman]

I would say a male colombian(bci), they are great snakes, good lookin, good size,most are easy to tame/handle,awesome patterns,and won't damage the bank account that much. I agree with the list that Invictus gave you but myself I would go with the BCI.

[mark129er]

My first snake was a female Cent Amer boa. She is great, very calm and docile. Can't comment on size as she is only six months old.

[SDSnakes]

If you're willing to put a little extra cash in to get a nice
boa i would deffinately recommend a hogg isle... They stay
smaller than the average columbian but also cost twice
as much... They will cost you anywhere from 300-450$
depending where you buy it from. I've seen them from 4
feet long up to 6.5 feet...

Anyways, good luck with your new boa whichever you choose!

[BoidKeeper]

Yup, if you want the BCI look with out the size and nicer colour then you can't go wrong with a Hog Island Boa. I have a pair and they're great! Mind you I also have Rosy Boas, Kenyan Sand Boas, Brazilians and a female BCI. The Rosy Boas and Kenyans are great but if you're looking for that BCI look with out the big cage or big food then I say Hog Island all the way!
Cheers,
Trevor

[Simon]

I don't know,
but personally I am a small snake kind of person. So I am a bit biased....

I'd recommand a rosy or sand boa first. They stay small and one of the tamest snakes that I have seen.

Christina,
You've seen how adult rosy boas llook like already. They're the ones that were in the tank set ups~ On average of 3 feet. They eat great, can do well in a tank and there is a great breeder in Ontario (Roy Stockwell) that produce 100s of these a year.

But you don't seem to like the rosies that much (maybe they're a bit too small for you?) Then I'd say a brb or BCI should be great for you. It's kind of big and quite easy to care for. brbs would like it a bit more damp so putting them in a rubbermaid/sterilite tub would be great~. They'll thank you for that more than in a tank (not that a tank is impossible to keep them in~)

Let us know what you got at the end~

[anacondaman]

get a green anaconda..der great!!!...jks.
go with invictus and get da rosy's..... der da best starter as far as boas go...good luck
adam

[Linds]

If BRB interests you the most, I'd say go with that. They are tractable snakes that stay a manageable size and are super easy to keep... they need it really humid, but they can also live in wet conditions so it is easy to maintain. I don't even mist mine. I keep them in large rubbermaids that I dump a glass of water in to every week or so to keep the humidity up around 80%. Just don't let em get too warm, they do not tolerate higher temperatuers as well as most other boids do, especially as neos.
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22tagz3.jpg">

My all-time favourite starter boa would have to go to the rosy boa. They are way too underrated. Small snakes that typically have wonderful temperaments, come in a variety of colour and pattern variations, slow-moving, easy to handle, tolerant of people, and forgiving with their husbandry.
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22sweetness.jpg">

Any of the BCI could also be an option, as long as you are prepared for the size some of them may attain. With any, I would recommend getting it as a neo so you and your snake can grow together.
Hog...
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22peanutfsoutside-med.jpg">
Colombian (yearling)
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22chaseyhand1.jpg">

Kenyans are also fairly good, as long as you get one that is already feeding reliably. They have similar requirements to rosy boas.