View Full Version : Whats better a BCC or BCI
i know that ppl cant tell me exactly which one is better but i would like to know which ones are more tamed and which ones are more aggressive then the other. also which one is better for a beginner.
Lagoon.
Invictus
06-07-05, 10:53 AM
In my experience, BCC have always been larger and a bit more testy than Colombian BCI, but this is not a steadfast rule - if you're buying a jeuvenile, the buyer should already have an idea of the snake's tendencies. If you're buying a baby, pick one that doesn't seem aggressive - they will usually stay that way if they are born calm.
They are both equally variable in temperament and can both be suitable for beginners. In fact, one of my nicest boas temperament-wise was a Bcc. However, there are many imported Bcc on the market, and fresh imports do not make good choices for beginners. Both can be snappy or calm as babies, so if temperament if of importance to you it is best to aquire whichever you choose to go with while it is still very young, and handle it periodically so you will have a better chance of a managable adult. Left unhandled, or handled infrequently, either one has a good chance of growing up in to a snake which has no hesitation in giving you a bite... lol... like most of mine ;) :p
ok thanks for the replys but how big would a male bcc grow if you feed it once a week. also if i buy it from a reputable breeder you think that theres might be a bit more docile.
Bcc and Bci are generally the same as far as size goes. I don't use feeding schedules for my snakes, but generally neonates get fed weekly; up to yearlings get fed every 10-14 days, and subadults and adults get fed every two weeks or so. IMHO a steady schedule of weekly feedings is excessive. Especially with adults, many large boids in captivity are overweight. How big the snake will get is genetically predetermined, so a good idea is to find out how large the parents are. That will give you an idea of what kind of genes are running in your baby, but won't give you any guarantees either. Bcc grow much slower than Bci I do. The only way feeding will impact the final size of your snake is if you severely neglect your snake's nutritional requirements. Males can get as large as females, but typically stay under 7 feet. Most females will stay under 8 feet. Don't let anyone tell you that the average size 8-12 feet, because that is a fallacy. Even nine feet is considered huge. There are some big boas out there, but they are definitely not the norm.
Temperament has nothing to do with the reputation of the breeder. Breeders are typically not concerned with the temeprament, just the quality of the animal (and some breeders don't even care about that). Most breeders do not handle their snakes unless they have to either, and none of them breed for temperament (with the exclusion of one lady in the states). Buy from a reputable breeder so you know you are getting a quality animal, especially if you decide to go with a Bcc, so you know it is not going to give you any preventable problems healthwise.
I have to disagree with Invistus on choosing a snake. While definitely choose one that is a calm baby, if that's what you are looking for, there is definitely no evidence to stand behind that they will stay that way. I've had many calm babies grow in to bitey adults, I've had vice versa as well. Also some snakes react differently - some snakes may be calm in one person's care and become agressive in another's, and the same can go the other way. Some snakes can be a certain temperament for years then change to something else for no obvious reasons as well. You play a major role in helping to form your snake's temperament, so it is best to get it very young and handle it frequently (though not excessively) ;)
thanks linds, Invictus, i really appreaciate both of you taking your time to help me out. i will see what i would get whether its a bcc or bci. regardless or not i will try to maintain a healthy schedule while feeding it that way it doesnt get overweigh. also i hope that whatever i get will stay calm and would not try to bite me or anything but if it happens ill be ready for it.
Another good thing about getting them while they are still small is you can gain confidence handling them gradually as they grow. A full-grown adult having a bad day can be very intimidating if you aren't used to them!
Invictus
06-07-05, 03:44 PM
I suppose I should have added "handled frequently" to "born calm". Every boa I've ever owned that was born calm has remained that way into adulthood. Every boa I've ever owned where the owner said they were snappy as babies turned out to be snappy jeuveniles as well. I believe their temperament when they are babies does stay with them into adulthood, so long as the calm ones are handled in order to 'reinforce' their tendency to not wish to bite. The ones who are born high strung need a lot more work to calm down than one who has been calm right from the get-go. Hope that makes more sense.
Originally posted by Invictus
I suppose I should have added "handled frequently" to "born calm". Every boa I've ever owned that was born calm has remained that way into adulthood. Every boa I've ever owned where the owner said they were snappy as babies turned out to be snappy jeuveniles as well. I believe their temperament when they are babies does stay with them into adulthood, so long as the calm ones are handled in order to 'reinforce' their tendency to not wish to bite. The ones who are born high strung need a lot more work to calm down than one who has been calm right from the get-go. Hope that makes more sense.
Ken I don't want to wizz you off but I have to differ on you on that one. One male I have now I named F@#% Head Just because of his nasty temper. To think I almost sold him because of it makes me shake my head still to this day( best looking boa I have ever owned by the way Bcc included) He doe not get handled more that once or twice a week(cleanings) and is one of the most laid back sub adults I have ever owned in the last 2 decades. The female that gave me the litter of 16 in April of this year was super calm untill about a year ago. Is she Agro? no not quite but she is testy most times when being handled and she has seen lots of handling from the time she was a neonate 4 years ago untill present.
The father of the litter Sid, well what can I say Sid is Sid kind of like Stimpy from Ren and Stimpy. He is just about the most mellow male Bci I have ever seen even when on a female you can reach in take him out and no problem he just kind of looks at you and you get the impression that either give me a rat or give me back to my gal. Good old Sid 7 feet of breeding machine he did it twice this year with to different girls even after a 20 hour drive to the next one. I would have to say he is my mostest favourate boa I have ever had, Now if I could just get him to have a few beers with me on the weekends and play some cards life would be perfect.
Hip,
Cheers to that! :p That is one way in which you can safely say snakes actually can be like people.... and another way in which to backup that snakes can remain unpredictable :)
hey so i guess it can go any way then huh.
Pretty much, that is why it is always a good idea to be prepared for the worst in any animal you decide... if you don't think you would be able to deal with a feisty adult, then another snake may be a better option ;)
Invictus
06-08-05, 03:04 PM
No 'whizzing off' taken Hip. :) I've just never personally experienced any personality changes either in the boas I've raised up myself, or ones that I've purchased that seem to remain exactly as the breeder/owner described their personality to be, which is usually the way they always were. But I agree that thinking a snake is predictable is not a wise idea.
Originally posted by Invictus
But I agree that thinking a snake is predictable is not a wise idea.
i think that thats the best way to put it. even though people have diffrent thoughts you can never predict what any snake will do.after all i still think that they are wild animals.
I own a number of Bcis, Bccs and Bcos, plus some dumerils boas .
My experiences are based on those snakes that I have daily contact and interaction with, and are therefore first hand.
I realise that my boas are a very small sampling of what is out there and for every one of my 'good' boas someone will no doubt know of a dozen rogues.
My collection come from a variety of different sources and are therefore not imprinted with similar backgrounds, and of course there are different varieties of the same species e.g Hogs and common Columbians as well as different sub species such as the supposedly 'hard to get along with' Argentine boas, and Bccs.
I have found that in most cases a young snake can be fiesty, but not always. The rule of thumb being the younger and smaller the snake then the more defensive and therefore more snippy that snake can be. The smaller or younger the snake the more frightened and insecure it can be.
All my snakes are handled regularly, even if as I do with some, they have to be hooked and lowered gently onto my hand, rarely do they attempt to bite the 'branch' that supports them, my hand!
Perhaps I have been lucky, but none of my boas have grown up fiesty or 'bad tempered'.
I still take care not to suprise any snake, I treat them very gently, move slowly in their presence and refrain from waving my hands around and possibly spooking them. I respect them, - they are snakes.
The results (so far) is that all my boas from a 7ft Bcc to a 2 1/2ft Hog are all sweethearts and predictably calm. This includes the pair of Argies who obviously forgot to read the book on bad attitude.
I have been lucky so far with older boas. Those animals, some of whom have had previous owners, including a Bcc I acquired from Invictus, are all calm and docile snakes.
As I said I have been lucky, but I do believe that some techniques may work better than others. Like dogs I think snakes may be able to reflect a little bit of the way they are treated. Good or bad.
Yesterday I acquired a nice 2yr old male Bcc male from another herper. I had never seen the snake before yesterday and was warned it could be a bit snippy. It was 4 1/2- 5ft long.
Before quarantining the snake I gave it a longish 'Nix' bath and then took it downstairs to my quarantine area. I sat for a few moments to further close examine the snake, flicked on the TV and sat with the new Bcc on my lap for almost an hour before I finally put him in his rubbermaid. The snake was totally calm throughout his ordeal and like a kitten he seemed to like having the underside of his chin rubbed. He showed no sign of distress or discomfort and absolutely no aggression.
This snake will end being another calm and easy to handle snake, unless I'm very mistaken.
Lagoon, buy the kind of snake that appeals to you, whether it be a common boa or a red tail.
Forget the fear factor. Buy a young snake and work with it. The chances are you too will end up with a calm and predictable snake.
More important is to choose your snake based on it's ultimate size and it's husbandry needs and your ability to take care of those needs; and consider what future plans you may have for the snake such as breeding.
Read the many caresheets, articles and books that are available, before making your choice, and don't be afraid to come back here and ask more questions. I'm sure, though our answers may be varied, there will be lots of fellow enthusiasts willing to help you.
Good Luck!!!
Thanks TonyJ for your reply. I have been reading on Lots of Diffrent Caresheets and i will choose one that appeals to me. I have also no need to breed since i only want one, but who knows what the future might hold. I'm also looking to get a male since they stay a little bit smaller then females. BCC or BCI I know i will be ready for either one and provide the best Husbandry i can. Even if i get one thats REAL TESTY while young who know what TLC will make it as an adult. This is one of the reasons why i like this site. Many people are very helpful.and always ask you if you need help. again thanks tonyJ.
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