hello everyone

[sassamagoo]

Hi to all. I'm new to the forum and new to forums in general. I'm not totally sure how this all works but would like to find out.

My bf and I recently bought a baby boa we named Bling and so far I've enjoyed having a snake very much (Its been about a month). I'm sure there are people who wouldn't recommend a boa as a good first snake, but others who do. All that matters to me is I want to do my best to be a good, responsible and educated snake owner. I've done lots of research both before and after buying our snake and I feel I'm pretty prepared for what to expect from a boa (size, cages, feeding, temps, etc) but I thought it would be good to join a forum about snakes to get more advice and support.

Hope to hear from some of you and thanks for having this forum.

[Boots]

Let me be the first to welcome you to our community. I am sure you will enjoy your time here.

While some people might not suggest a boa as a starter snake, I would actually disagree with them. One of my first snakes was a boa and it was a great learning experience.

Jason

[jonny666]

I will also welcome you to the forum. I agree that a boa is a good starter snake most would say corn, rat, or ball python. I feel boas as long as you know what you are getting into are good "starters". Normally great eaters sometimes a little nippy when babies. Make sure to handle it on a normal basis and you will enjoy! Good idea about joining a forum. You can always ask if you don't know or understand something.

[Chu'Wuti]

Welcome to the forum! I am one of the people who probably wouldn't recommend a boa, but I wouldn't recommend against it, either. I simply like smaller snakes! :) I know several people who got boas as their first snakes and have really enjoyed them.

[Will0W783]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I think a boa is a good starter snake, as long as you're ok with the fact that it will get 8-10 feet long eventually. They are known for their docile natures, and don't grow all that quickly. My first snake was a ball python who I still have, but I got a BCI not long afterwards.

[sassamagoo]

Thanks to everyone who said hello. Now I gotta get my butt over to the boa section and ask a question :)

Sass

[Kmef07]

Hey not all boas get large. For example most rainbow boas get only 5-7 feet with the 7 feet being the exception. most females stay around 6 and males stay around 4.5-5. and im sure there are other boas that are smaller in size than the norm 8-10 foot species. also boas dont' have near the problems with eating that balls and other pythons seem to have.

[Will0W783]

From the picture sassamagoo has up, it looks like a BCI, while will get 8-10 feet long.

[sassamagoo]

What exactly does BCI mean? Boa Constrictor ____? I was told he is a red tailed boa, but I've also heard that pet shops don't really know the difference all the time, so that could be wrong.

[Will0W783]

BCI = Boa constrictor imperator (aka Colombian red-tail, or Common boa)
BCC = Boa constrictor constrictor (True red-taileds: Guyana, etc.)

[Will0W783]

You pic looks to me to be a Colombian red-tail, BCI. They are the most common ones, but are gorgeous! The red on their tails can be more brick or terracotta instead of blood red.

[Aaron_S]

From the picture sassamagoo has up, it looks like a BCI, while will get 8-10 feet long.

Let's not scare the new owner. A male BCI would be considered quite a large specimen at 8 feet. A female at 8 feet isn't uncommon. 9 and above tend to be a bit more rare.

Also welcome to the forum.

[sassamagoo]

Aaron, thanks for trying to not scare me :) But I have done lots of research and I'm aware and prepared (I think, lol) for a 8-10 foot snake. I'll be happy if he's smaller, but I'm ready! I just don't want him to get over 10 feet as that is the length limit in my city. I think I'll be safe, plus I've got some time before he's that big. From my understanding, they grow the most the first couple years, then slow down. Is that correct?

[Aaron_S]

That's usually true. If you end up with a male at 8 - 10 feet then you call the record people and find out who's ever recorded the largest male BCI.

[Will0W783]

Lol. Thanks for correcting me Aaron. I was under the impression those were average sizes, not records. Mine is still only about 3 feet, and close to a year old. I think he's about 9-10 months old. He eats like a little horse, though..lol

[Aaron_S]

That's about average for a yearling boa. Males tend to get about 5 to 6 feet and females 7 - 8.