Central American boa

[snakekid6996]

Hello everyone. So, I think I might have decided what snake I'm going to get. Though I'm not positive this is the snake I want, I want to get as much information on it as I can. I'm looking at a central American boa. They are about 50-100$ less than a hog island or BRB. I would like as much information as I can get. Cold and warm side temps, humidity, how big they get, tank size, ecs...

[CDN_Blood]

Just out of curiosity, exactly what do you mean by 'Central American Boa'? There are probably around a dozen or so snakes that could easily fall into that category, but I've been around the block a few times and never heard of any of them being called that specifically, so I'm just wondering ;)

[snakekid6996]

Just out of curiosity, exactly what do you mean by 'Central American Boa'? There are probably around a dozen or so snakes that could easily fall into that category, but I've been around the block a few times and never heard of any of them being called that specifically, so I'm just wondering ;)

Oh ha sorry I don't know much about boas. I just saw a website or two selling a snake and they just called it a central American boa. Which one that would fall under that category be most common??

[youngster]

The most common one would be the colombian boa constrictor. BCI, loads of people have them. Probably the 3rd most common snake in the pet trade after corns and royals IMO.

[CDN_Blood]

I think they generally fall into just a couple of subspecies; Boa constrictor constrictor and Boa constrictor imperator are the most commonly kept, and of those it's probably the Bci that you're thinking of. Bcc's are not particularly small snakes, and for those who think they *are* smallish snakes, do yourself a favour and check this link to see how large these things can get (http://www.mccarthyboas.com/BigSnake.html).

Bci can make a good first snake if they're the type of animal you're after. Do you have any thoughts on what type of characteristics you do want in your snake?

[snakekid6996]

Can you give me some details on them??

[snakekid6996]

I think they generally fall into just a couple of subspecies; Boa constrictor constrictor and Boa constrictor imperator are the most commonly kept, and of those it's probably the Bci that you're thinking of. Bcc's are not particularly small snakes, and for those who think they *are* smallish snakes, do yourself a favour and check this link to see how large these things can get (http://www.mccarthyboas.com/BigSnake.html).

Bci can make a good first snake if they're the type of animal you're after. Do you have any thoughts on what type of characteristics you do want in your snake?

Well iv had a corn for 8 years so I was thinking maybe it was time for something a little bit bigger. I don't want anything huge, but something that's kind of an impresive size would be nice. I want something that moves around a little bit with a lot of personality, but nothing to crazy. I've seen a few different kinds of boas I like so I wanted to do some research on them.

[theapexgerman]

What bout an dumeril boa they get ok size and very tame while still active and not bad price either

[CDN_Blood]

Well iv had a corn for 8 years so I was thinking maybe it was time for something a little bit bigger. I don't want anything huge, but something that's kind of an impresive size would be nice. I want something that moves around a little bit with a lot of personality, but nothing to crazy. I've seen a few different kinds of boas I like so I wanted to do some research on them.

Eight years with the Corn - congratulations! You've just proven yourself more dedicated than a lot of folks, lol.

Boa constrictors aren't really the most active of snakes, and I think most current Boa owners will attest to that. A lot of Boas are much less active than your average Python, so you may want to consider something in that family instead.

As much as I love my Rainbow Boas (Paraguayan and Columbian), they too are relatively inactive until you take them out, whereas you can't keep a good Royal Python, Carpet Python or Spotted Python down, and most any of those would make good additions now that you're ready to move-up the snake ladder.

There are tons of informative threads from some really knowledgeable keepers in their respective forum sections here, so with a little digging, I'm sure you'll get the information you need to make an informed decision. Nothin' worse than picking a snake that's not a good fit for you, so do some reading and then ask some questions from the experienced folk around here. From there you'll be well-informed and be able to make the best decision for your next charge :)

[snakekid6996]

What bout an dumeril boa they get ok size and very tame while still active and not bad price either

How big do they get??

[theapexgerman]

Females 6 or 7 foot could get bigger males a bit smaller mines really active he's always moving under his substrate and pretty good eaters easy to care for or you could go for a carpet there very pretty and really active

[youngster]

If you want an active snake that will keep you entertained for hours on end, gets an impressive size but not too big you can't go wrong with a carpet python. They range from about 5-9 feet depending on what subspecies you want. Coastals are the biggest, Irian Jayas are the smallest. Any questions just ask, we have a bunch of carpet people on here.

[snakekid6996]

Eight years with the Corn - congratulations! You've just proven yourself more dedicated than a lot of folks, lol.

Boa constrictors aren't really the most active of snakes, and I think most current Boa owners will attest to that. A lot of Boas are much less active than your average Python, so you may want to consider something in that family instead.

As much as I love my Rainbow Boas (Paraguayan and Columbian), they too are relatively inactive until you take them out, whereas you can't keep a good Royal Python, Carpet Python or Spotted Python down, and most any of those would make good additions now that you're ready to move-up the snake ladder.

There are tons of informative threads from some really knowledgeable keepers in their respective forum sections here, so with a little digging, I'm sure you'll get the information you need to make an informed decision. Nothin' worse than picking a snake that's not a good fit for you, so do some reading and then ask some questions from the experienced folk around here. From there you'll be well-informed and be able to make the best decision for your next charge :)
Thanks :). And really?? I would have never guessed that. I've held a few snakes at some different pet stores while looking for a new snake and I didn't really like any of the pythons I held at any of the stores, but the first time I held a red tail boa I loved him. He wasn't too fast, but he liked to move a lot and crawl around all over my arms and neck. The problem with him was red tails get to big for me, but after I held him is when I decided I might want a boa of some kind. I also enjoy milksakes, but like I said I was looking for something a little bigger.

[snakekid6996]

I've never really been a big fan of the looks of carpet pythons, but all of them I've seen have been online. Maybe that's the problem. I've herd a lot of great things about them so maybe I should look into them a little more.

[theapexgerman]

Check out the dumerils than there pretty and good price

[snakekid6996]

Check out the dumerils than there pretty and good price

I looked them up and idk.. It just doesnt seem like a snake I would buy. They are pretty cool and all just there are a lot more snakes I'd rather have. I want to make sure I get the perfect snake for me.

[theapexgerman]

Hmm than an I'm out of ideas maybe an BRB there cool I just don't know if there active like you want

[snakekid6996]

Hmm than an I'm out of ideas maybe an BRB there cool I just don't know if there active like you want

That's what I was originally planning on getting. The only problem is the only place I can find them were I live they cost 250$ which for me is a lot.

[theapexgerman]

Yea same here why I ain't getting one lol maybe if you order online I'm doing my first online order later this week great price for my new king I'm getting

[Pals_id]

In regards to your first post (sorry, I just saw this thread), Central American boas can include boas from the countries of Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. These tend to be the dwarf localities, and include both mainland and insular island boas. Colombian boas are from South America last time I looked at the map!

Sorry I do not know of anyone selling cheap locality specific boas with verifiable lineage. I seem to be shamelessly plugging this website on just about every response on this forum so far, but this will give you a better understanding of locality boas:
Cutting Edge Herpetological, Inc. (http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/)

I am not affiliated with Cutting Edge in any way, but have purchased some of Vin's boas and am very happy with them.

[CDN_Blood]

How big do they get??

This one is 4 years old and they can go well over 20 years. Since snakes never really stop growing, there's some easy math that can be done to see if they're the right sized animal for ya...

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb347/CDN_Blood/IMG_1556.jpg

[CDN_Blood]

That's what I was originally planning on getting. The only problem is the only place I can find them were I live they cost 250$ which for me is a lot.

Columbian Rainbows are cheaper. They may not be as stunning as Brazilians, but they're still pretty hot looking snakes, and I can't say enough about their size and attitude - just perfect. They're certainly all boa, and even have that boa smell when you open their enclosure or take a big whiff of them up close.

It does sound like you're gravitating more to boas, which is funny 'cause we tend to be a fan of either one or the other to an extreme degree, lol.

Have you checked local classified such as Kijiji or Craigslist to see what's available in your area? I alway tell people to check there first before encouraging a trip to a breeder or worse - a pet store.

[KORBIN5895]

I agree with Phil on cutting edge herps being a great outfit. I have never purchased anything from him but he took sometime and cleared a lot of things up.

@ Todd
Yeah we tend to be extremists when choosing between boas and pythons.:)

[JustBitten]

They're certainly all boa, and even have that boa smell when you open their enclosure or take a big whiff of them up close

Boa smell??? Interesting, I had no idea they had a smell. My ball/royal doesn't smell like anything and it's one of the things I like about him. I've been thinking about getting one of the dwarf boas and this will be one of my questions for the breeders at the April expo for sure. Thanks for mentioning it! What are your experiences with smell, if you don't mind my asking? My cat somehow always smells like perfume so maybe they would balance each other out?:laugh:

[CDN_Blood]

Boa smell??? Interesting, I had no idea they had a smell. My ball/royal doesn't smell like anything and it's one of the things I like about him...

A healthy boa smells kinda like walking in to a leather shop :)

[JustBitten]

Well, I like leather so we're all good.;)

[KORBIN5895]

I really don't notice the boa smell:(.

[theapexgerman]

Yea I can smell the leather smell every time I open my dumeril tub