Silly Question!

noodlesoup · 06-23-17, 08:50 AM

Hey everyone!

I'm new here. I grew up owning snakes (corn, garter, ball) and now I'm looking to get back into it.

I can only get one, so I'm deciding between a boa and a ball python. I'm going to be doing A LOT of research before I get anything, obviously. So, forgive how stupid this question is as I have been out of the game for some time and never really knew much about boas.

Are colombian boas the same as red tail boas? I hear if handled often they are very docile, is that true? And are they more active than a ball python? Also, how long could they stay in a 40g? I would move it up to a bigger snake habitat, of course, when the time comes. I'm thinking male so it's not as overwhelmingly big.

Thank you all in advanced! I hope this isn't too annoying. Go easy on me, I wont buy anything until I'm very, very educated about them

**Minkness** · 06-23-17, 09:38 AM

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Seeing as I own both species, I feel equipped to answer your questions. A Columbian is a species of retail boa. However a 'true' red tail is a surinamese which keep the brilliant red coloration while most other species will darken or dull to brown. Surinamese get pretty large full grown. Depending on what species you get, you could keep a snake comfortably in a 20 long or 40 breeder. I currently have a hog island boa still in a 10 gallon tank and she is almost a year old. It's time for an upgrade for her, but you get the point. As far as activity goes, I find my boss to be about as active as my balls. One ball I have is actually pretty active though. The boss seem to move when I'm not looking and I find them curled up in different corners of their enclosures.

Depending on what you are ok handling and growing out, getting a baby boa will take roughly 6 years to fullygrow large. So they will stay very manageable for the first 3-4 if they are of the larger species. My big island should cap out at 7 feet, my hypo, who is a bit of a mutt, should cap out at 5.5. He's already 5 years old and 5 feet long.

Pall pythons you may run into feeding issues. Boas are pretty reliable on feeding and both species take out about the same, though like any living creatures, they will have personality, and some are just grumpy and defensive no matter what.

Hope this helps. =)

Scubadiver59 · 06-23-17, 10:23 AM

Welcome to sSNAKESs!!

I have a Columbian Red Tail, a Salmon hypo, and it's doing rather well since receiving it from another owner...she's about a 1.5 yr old, feeding on small rats (but probably ready for mediums) and is ready to leave the 20gal quarantine to her more permanent 4'x2'x19" 3/4" melamine/press-board enclosure sometime this weekend (once I put it together and seal it up)

My Ball Python? She's a hider, even though I give her plenty cover in her 40gal ZooMed enclosure. I don't check on her at night, so she might be active, but she's nowhere as active as my 7yr old Albino King Snake. The BP is about 30-36" in length, and she's currently feeding well off of weaned rats. I haven't been handling her too much, but when I do, she's a "ball" of fun...er, ball of docililty.

dannybgoode · 06-23-17, 12:10 PM

A true red tail does not just have to be a Suriname. Guyanan, Peruvian and Brazilian are all true red tails also.

Basically anything that is a boa constrictor constrictor is a true red tail (although some have redder tails than others) and a Columbian is a boa constructor imperator along with many poor the dwarf localities.

**Minkness** · 06-23-17, 12:27 PM

Thanks for the clarification Danny =)

MDT · 06-23-17, 04:40 PM

Is B.c.imperator really a true "red-tail"?
I'm inclined to say that the designation of "red-tail boa" is B.c. constrictor...

Asking for my own education.

noodlesoup · 06-23-17, 05:58 PM

This is all super helpful!! Thank you all

I'm reading an article on it now, I had never heard of the term 'imperator' before.

Can you guys recommend any good videos or articles or books? I'm REALLY leaning towards a columbian boa constrictor (imperator, if I'm correct?) now! They're fun to handle? I wanted something a bit bigger and less generic than a ball python. Maybe more active, but as long as it is good with lots of handling I'm happy

noodlesoup · 06-23-17, 06:35 PM

Another question: I have a 40 gallon terrarium for him, but I heard that big enclosures stress them out as pups. Is it possible to put a divider in the 40 gallon? Or am I better off spending money on a 10 gallon?

noodlesoup · 06-23-17, 06:40 PM

MDT, from what I read, BCI is not a true red tail, BCC is

ThirteenRavens · 06-23-17, 09:33 PM

I have a Sunset/hypo hog island boa and will be getting some sort of albino type BCI in the future. I have 8 snakes, 5 different types and have to say that my boa is easily one of my favorites

**Andy_G** · 06-24-17, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDT

Is B.c.imperator really a true "red-tail"?
I'm inclined to say that the designation of "red-tail boa" is B.c. constrictor...

Asking for my own education.

Imperator are simply "common boa" unless specific locality or lineage is noted. Not true red tails.

afsgr88 · 06-24-17, 08:38 AM

I own a baby BCI (around 7 months old) and she is the sweetest thing. Right amount of activity, and very docile when handled. With me she is super calm and relaxed, but with my boyfriend she is a bit more active. Maybe because he is not very used to handle snakes yet

I highly recommend them!