Are CA boas really that defensive compared to commons?

Sasha2 · 08-19-15, 07:42 PM

Im thinking about getting a Central american because the size is nice.I am put off by the rumor of a bad temperament. One of the main reasons Ive always loved the commons is their laid back attitude. I just want a smaller version of that.

SSSSnakes · 08-19-15, 08:18 PM

In my experience Centrals are more defensive than Columbians. You can get a male Columbian Boa and not over feed it, (maintenance feed it) and it will stay about the same size as a Central.

bigsnakegirl785 · 08-19-15, 09:51 PM

I don't really support maintenance feeding. That said, properly fed it will take a Colombian BCI at least 4 years to get to a large size. Fed on a conservative diet (not to be confused with maintenance feeding which is underfeeding), they will average 2.5'-3' at 1 year old, 3'-4' at 2 years old, 4'-5' at 3 years old, and they will reach their adult size around 5-6 years old. Females may take longer, reaching adult size at 6-9 years but not sure on that. Most males will max out at 6', although you will run the risk of them getting larger.

You could also look at Boa constrictor longicauda. They get just as long as Colombians, but they're half the weight so they're quite a bit more manageable without the CA attitude. Boa constrictor amarali is also another option, they generally stay under 6' and seem to have generally laid-back personalities.

SSSSnakes · 08-19-15, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

(not to be confused with maintenance feeding which is underfeeding)

Maintenance feeding is not under feeding. Maintenance feeding is giving the snake enough food to grow at a slower rate. The snake is never over fed, so it does not get to large to fast. Maintenance feeding is something that is done in nature naturally on many island, where there is not an abundance of food for the snake. This is were we get smaller Retics naturally. You still feed the snake every 7 to 14 days, just smaller meals. Watch the you tube videos from Prehistoric Pets were he talks about how he does this to keep the snakes smaller.

SSSSnakes · 08-19-15, 10:38 PM

Go to You Tube, search prehistoricpetstv, How to keep a retic small

Sasha2 · 08-20-15, 07:31 AM

Well I may just get a male common. I really love the hog islands but the price is a bit high especially when you add in shipping prices.
I dont mind up to 8ft but nothing much larger then that.

**lady_bug87** · 08-20-15, 08:31 AM

I have BCCs, a Common. (Colombian), and Centrals. My centrals are HANDS down more defensive.

I tend to be conservative with feeding my boas for the first 1-2 years mostly because I want to avoid digestive issues. Once they hit 2 I am a little less conservative. All my animals (though initially a little smaller) do catch up in size and they have great muscle tone

Sasha2 · 08-20-15, 12:53 PM

Well I went and ordered not one boa but two, common bci...LOL.I dont know whats wrong with me.This is all my husbands fault for saying I could get another snake(he felt guilty for spending a gobload of money on his hobby).I havent told him I ordered a pair yet.
Anyway I got a male/female pair coming on tuesday both het albino.
So much for saving room.

Thanks for the help, glad I didnt go for the CA's.

bigsnakegirl785 · 08-20-15, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

Maintenance feeding is not under feeding. Maintenance feeding is giving the snake enough food to grow at a slower rate. The snake is never over fed, so it does not get to large to fast. Maintenance feeding is something that is done in nature naturally on many island, where there is not an abundance of food for the snake. This is were we get smaller Retics naturally. You still feed the snake every 7 to 14 days, just smaller meals. Watch the you tube videos from Prehistoric Pets were he talks about how he does this to keep the snakes smaller.

From my understanding, I thought maintenance feeding was feeding a snake something half the size it would normally eat half as often. For example, feeding my 3.5' retic fuzzy mice every 2-3 weeks instead of a weaned rat every 1-2 weeks. What you describe is what I consider conservative feeding, I'd always thought that maintenance feeding was giving the snake just enough to survive, not necessarily to grow. To keep the snake undersized, not let it grow more naturally.

Mad Max · 08-20-15, 06:43 PM

My Costa Rican is one of the tamest snakes I've met.

**lady_bug87** · 08-20-15, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

From my understanding, I thought maintenance feeding was feeding a snake something half the size it would normally eat half as often. For example, feeding my 3.5' retic fuzzy mice every 2-3 weeks instead of a weaned rat every 1-2 weeks. What you describe is what I consider conservative feeding, I'd always thought that maintenance feeding was giving the snake just enough to survive, not necessarily to grow. To keep the snake undersized, not let it grow more naturally.

I believe you are correct