considering getting a red tail boa as my first snake

kala83 · 08-15-13, 08:37 AM

I really love the look and attitudes of red tailed boas, I would really enjoy getting one along with a Ball Python for my first snakes.

I will need to wait a few months until I move out and have a place of my own, my mother is terrified of snakes and would never imagine to let me have one in her house where I am currently living now.

Jack C · 08-15-13, 09:14 AM

My first snake was a royal python and within 6 months I got a male bci boa. I feel the boa is the easier of the 2 to keep. Less likely to stress out and never misses a feed, size may be an issue over a royal but they can be so gentle so it's not such an issue with handling but more with providing a large enclosure. I have heard that true red tail boas or bcc, they can be more difficult with stress and feeding.

snakeman879 · 08-15-13, 09:52 AM

Hi my first snake was a ball pithon and I got a bci within a few months and had no regrets no feeding problems not shy and real esy to handle. Bcc ar or can be a bit harder with feeding they tend to regurgitate if the meal is a bit to big but dont really know a lot about bcc I only keep bci. Good luck and do plenty ov reserch and u should be fine

kala83 · 08-15-13, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snakeman879

Hi my first snake was a ball pithon and I got a bci within a few months and had no regrets no feeding problems not shy and real esy to handle. Bcc ar or can be a bit harder with feeding they tend to regurgitate if the meal is a bit to big but dont really know a lot about bcc I only keep bci. Good luck and do plenty ov reserch and u should be fine

I hate asking such a newbie question but what is BCC or BCI?

Mikoh4792 · 08-15-13, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kala83

I hate asking such a newbie question but what is BCC or BCI?

Boa constrictor constrictor and boa constrictor imperator.

Bcc such as guyanas, Surinames, Peruvians...etc are usually bigger with bright red tails and clean patterns.

Bci such as Colombians, hog islands, other dwarf and island boas, and other types of mainland Bci are usually smaller with messier patterns and not as red tails, some don't even have red tails at all. I would say there is a lot more variation in Bci in terms of looks than bcc.

The two also usually have different care requirements.

TarantulaSteve · 08-18-13, 10:07 PM

My first was a ball and a few months later got a Bcc. The Ball python took the brunt of my inexperience, and my Bcc has been perfect and sweet. My wife was initially concerned about getting something that will grow so large, seing as we are used to invertebrates, but I told her our experience and confidence with the animal will grow with it.

kala83 · 08-20-13, 11:14 AM

ahh thanks! I thought red tails did't get that large but maybe I thought wrong on that?

I intend on doing a bit of reading before getting any of the snakes. lol being a vet tech student and someone that might be working in a clinic again soon I constantly feel the need to remind pet owners of any kind to read up on the animal before getting it.

Mikoh4792 · 08-20-13, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kala83

ahh thanks! I thought red tails did't get that large but maybe I thought wrong on that?

I intend on doing a bit of reading before getting any of the snakes. lol being a vet tech student and someone that might be working in a clinic again soon I constantly feel the need to remind pet owners of any kind to read up on the animal before getting it.

If you would like to read a book instead of online care sheets ill recommend "the complete boa constrictor" by Vincent Russo. It will touch upon all the different localities and subspecies including the dwarfs, and will also provide care information.

Jendee · 08-20-13, 06:39 PM

Great choice!! I think boas make great first snakes

Starbuck · 08-21-13, 05:01 AM

lots of people start out with bcc/bci and have great stories to tell about it; i would offer that you just think a little about your future and make sure you aren't planning to move back in with your mom once school is done/between school and finding a job; or have a conversation about it with her... it would suck for you to spend time and money on this snake, bond with it, and then have to rehome it or something because of your living arrangements.
best of luck!

snakeman879 · 08-21-13, 08:16 AM

Hi just to let u know that bcc grow a fair bit bigger than bci but its good that you intend on reading plenty about them. Too meney people by large snakes and get rid cos they got two big. if only they would read up first

kala83 · 09-25-13, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbuck

lots of people start out with bcc/bci and have great stories to tell about it; i would offer that you just think a little about your future and make sure you aren't planning to move back in with your mom once school is done/between school and finding a job; or have a conversation about it with her... it would suck for you to spend time and money on this snake, bond with it, and then have to rehome it or something because of your living arrangements.
best of luck!

I completely agree I love having all kinds of animals around me...but most of the time I usually have to wait a bit for actually having them due to I know having them in the same house as my mom would cause a lot of issues.

lol not to mention my mom is terrified of snakes.

I want to move out to a place of my own for lots of different reasons this is just one of tips of the ice burgs for me on that topic.