How Much?

avelli2000 · 10-28-03, 10:30 PM

Looking into buying my first snake. When I went to my local reptile store the owner said he can get me a baby peruvian for $300-$400. Is this a good price? How much do the other BCC's go for? He said the Peruvians are the top BCC snake so I'm assuming the others are less expensive.

Pontus · 10-28-03, 10:45 PM

columbian is about 150 or so surinam is about 250

foman · 10-28-03, 11:27 PM

for a first snake a bcc is not the best choice.

BoidKeeper · 10-29-03, 09:24 AM

Quote:

for a first snake a bcc is not the best choice

Why not?
When quoting prices remember this person is in the US. BCI are not $150 in the US.
Trevor

foman · 10-29-03, 11:41 AM

Not a good choice for a first snake because they get very big and in my view a non experienced person should start with something like a ball python or a milk/kingsnake or even a smaller boa. Keep in mind I do not know this person(he could be 14 years old),so my advice is based on your average person with no snake experience. I would not advise somebody to go buy an 8 footer as their first snake. The snake maybe a baby now but they grow.

avelli2000 · 10-29-03, 01:16 PM

Here in the US, BCI go for $90-$100. I am 33 years old and have successfully kept a coral reef which is a very sensitive ecosystem. I gave the reef up because it was far too time consuming, more of a job than a hobby. I know what it is to deal with temperature etc. in order to keep a proper environment. I am thinking of a Peruvian male, which I was told would probably max out at about 6 feet if I don't power feed him. I don't know, maybe i was misinformed. What is the difference between owning a 3-4ft corn as opposed to a 6ft boa? The boa is definitely fatter and stronger I'm sure. What else should sway me away from owning a boa as my first snake? You people would know better than I would and have nothing to gain from me buying a peruvian, unlike the gentleman that owns the reptile store.

ohh_kristina · 10-29-03, 01:49 PM

$300-$400 is a price normally asked for BCC in the US (so I have seen). It is kind of high, and I have seen prices lower than that..but it depends on where you get it from. Peruvians especially, you will expect to pay a few hundred bucks for it.
I think a boa is a good starter for someone who knows what they are doing. They aren't tough to keep at all, it's mainly their size that I would be worried about. A 33 year old person with experience in keeping things with strict requirements will be the perfect owner of a med/large snake.
A male BCC is a great choice for a boa, I say go for it!

BoidKeeper · 10-29-03, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Not a good choice for a first snake because they get very big

I totally agree with you. Your reasons are dead on and that's why it's important to say them intead of just saying that something is not a good choice. It's important to explain why a snake is not a good choice. If you don't back up your opinion with facts like you just did someone may disregard it. People can learn more when you back up your opinion with facts instead of just giving the opinion.
Cheers,
Trevor

JDouglas · 10-29-03, 03:20 PM

I agree a BCC would not be the best choice for a kid or first time snake owner, but this guy is 33 and sounds fairly intelligent. I would read up on boa care before purchasing one. As far as size, as long as he gets a male and raises it slowy, size will not be a problem. As the boa grows so will the owners abilty and knowledge of boa care and handling. By the time the boa reaches adult size he will have a few years experience caring for it and will be ready for the larger size. Just remember this boa will get big and require a larger cage and large food items like jumbo rats or rabbits. It will also live a long time. Are you prepared to handle this? If you are then I would get the boa. As far as pricing, that depends on the look of the boa. Nicer looking Peruvians demand a higher price.

avelli2000 · 10-29-03, 04:03 PM

JDouglas
I just spent some time on your Striking Serpents website and I must say you have some pretty terrific looking animals. The albino boas are phenominal. Good luck with breeding them.

mark129er · 10-29-03, 04:08 PM

I did my research for months before getting my first snake. She is a Central American BCI, after my extensive research I of course still have questions and that is why this forum is so great. As long as the individual knows the kind of committment involved with getting any snake I would say go for it.

JDouglas · 10-30-03, 01:29 AM

avelli2000, thanks for the kind words.

Linds · 10-30-03, 11:08 AM

BCC are one of the most variable snakes in terms of price. You can find them for anywhere as low as $150 USD to $1500+. This includes all localities. Peruvians typically have a higher starting price than the others, and are also said to be the largest locale. So many factors such as colour, pattern, history, etc. come in to play when pricing them. If you go to a pet store you will be paying retail price, not market price. Retail is usually around double market price on average.