Thinking about a boa

Dani33 · 03-03-04, 11:57 PM

I've thought about getting a boa for a long time. The only thing that has held me back is size. Anyhow, I like hoggs but prefer BCC/BCI.

I've been doing research and still can't really determine the difference between BCC or BCI. I guess that this comes with experience - lol. Of course I would prefer something that is 6 or 7 feet. I'm thinking that I'll get a baby male and raise it up. This way, if it's 8-10 feet, won't be as big of a deal.

Anyhow, since I think that I only want one ever. I would like a super nice one. Clean pattern, nice red tail etc.

I've read that BCI are the best starters. Are these the ones in some of the pics I've seen w/ the description of what I want? Are there any breeders in the GTA. What are the prices?

Some questions that I have are about prey. When do you decide to feed bunnies? Or do most stick w/ large rats?

Thanks everyone!!!

HetForHuman · 03-04-04, 12:08 AM

boas are awesome, i dont think you could go wrong with a male BCI, as it would prob stay in the 5-7 foot range.

As for only ever wanting one..LOL. I thought i would only want one as well but it has turned into a bit more than that now....

And by the way Hog Island are a form of BCI..

There are alot of people that have boas from all over Canada, and most of them will ship them right to your local airport..

As for the prey it is totally up to you, but i would try to keep them on rats for sure and then when you see fit move them up to rabbits, but if you can find a good rabbit breeder that has all sizes, you could probably start the boa off fairly quickly on them.

I myself mostly just feed rats now..

Hope this helps a little.

Dani33 · 03-04-04, 12:13 AM

Thanks so much. Oops, I knew Hoggs are a locale of BCI. I just like the look of the others better. You know what I mean - lol! Will I for sure have to feed rabbits or do most just feed rats. I would prefer rats for obvious reasons.

HetForHuman · 03-04-04, 12:34 AM

No you will not have to feed rabbits, i feed my 7 foot female rats all the time, which is 2 per feeding usually but its not a big deal..

Rats are just as good as rabbits in my opinion, but if the snake gets large enough, you will be feeding a couple at a time...No biggie..

I ffed all my boas and my pythons strictly rats.

Dani33 · 03-05-04, 01:19 AM

Sorry, one more question. If I get a baby BCI with a nice tail, contrast etc. Will he loose alot of that colouration? Just wondering because a lot of the adults that I have seen look so dark. Thanks.

Linds · 03-05-04, 01:43 AM

If you want something that will hold its appearance best in to adulthood, definitely go with a Bcc. Really nice Colombian Bci are a tough find, and finding one that will not get dark and be every shade of brown as it matures is even harder. They have the same average size of 6-8 feet and have the same general care. Little more humid than a Bci, but nothing major. I find Bcc to be -on average- a little more work in terms of getting them handleable. They tend to be quite insecure when held, which translates to sometimes spastic movements. However, the chances of finding a nice baby that will still be pretty good looking as an adult is much greater. Aquiring a male betters your chances of a smaller snake, but no guarantees either. My adult male is only 5.5', however Stav's male if memory serves is close to 12' (make note this is exceedingly rare for ANY Bcc to even come close to that size). Also keep in mind when choosing a baby Bcc, their colour develops, they aren't born with it. When I got my subadult female she was cream coloured with a burgundy-red tail, now she's very pink. Good luck with your decision. Both are great snakes

5.5', 5 year old male
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22poopypants12_12_03-2.jpg">
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22poopypants31.jpg">

Subadult female (developing more colour, 4')
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22andora-head.jpg">
(pinks starting to come in nicely, around 3')
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22pinkbcc2-med.jpg">

Barely 7.5', 8 year old female (average looking)
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22satabriab01-med.jpg">
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22guyanese2-med.jpg">

Dani33 · 03-05-04, 08:35 AM

Thanks Linds, I was hoping that you would reply. Beautiful snakes by the way, I love that subadult female-beautiful!!!!

BurmGuy87 · 03-05-04, 09:07 AM

A boa is definately a great snake to look into. They are average sized and very docile(but you get an occasional fiesty one!)

A BCI is definately a good choice...since BCC can get bigger and are more demanding about temps.

I own a beautiful female BCI. She is about 4ft and 1yr old. I'll post you some pics if you'd like of her.

I'm glad to see you are researching about the boa too

Good job!

Dani33 · 03-05-04, 09:38 AM

I would love to see a pic!!!!

Invictus · 03-05-04, 10:25 AM

I have 6 Colombian BCI, 2 of which are adults. The male is over 7 feet (but is considered large for a Colombian) and eats 2-3 lb rabbits. The adult female is 9 feet or so, and also 2-3 lb rabbits. For temperament, I strongly recommend Colombian BCI. They usually start out docile right from birth, and with regular handling never lose their calm nature. I don't know of many males over 6.5', but one of my boas was the product of an 8 foot male and an 11 foot female.

Unfortunately, they do tend to darken as they get older.

BurmGuy87 · 03-05-04, 10:40 AM

Take a look in the Picture forum Dani33~@!

BoidKeeper · 03-05-04, 12:03 PM

Is a Colombian a BCI or is a BCI a Colombian?
I've been seeing a lot of this lately. People are using the term BCI when referring specifically to the common Colombian Boa Constrictor Imperator. Also don't forget that a Hog Island Boa is also a BCI. There are as many BCI boas as there are BCC boas.
You asked about differences, the Boa Constrictor Manual is a great source of information on this topic. It explains that the boas living in one part of the world are the BCI boas and the other part, are BCC boas. They use the Andes Mountains as example when describing Colombian BCI and Colombian BCC. The boas in one side of the Andes are the Colombian BCI and other the other side they Colombian BCC. They look different and have different scale counts.
They also talk about the difference in ventral scale counts and dorsal blotches (saddles) counts. 21 or more saddles for BCI less then 21 for BCC.
If you’re interested in a dwarf forum of BCI there is a great article in last months Reptiles Magazine.
As for nice Colombian BCI's they are out there (I have two! hee hee). Shop around and look at the parents. Jeff Rone says that the babies are always nicer then the parents so if the parents are nice the babies will be even nicer according to him.
Hope this helps clear some points up for you.
If you are serious about getting a Boa then I highly recommend the Boa Constrictor Manual it's the bible on boas right now in my opinion.
Cheers,
Trevor

Dani33 · 03-05-04, 12:17 PM

Thanks Trevor. I meant a common columbian BCI or I guess a Guyana or Surinam BCC (I think the most common locales right?). I will definately get that book. I have learned a lot since the start of this thread. I got some info. from this site - http://www.boa-constrictors.com/com/com.html. I am hoping that it's relatively accurate. I actually knew about the Hogg, just not the rest. I just meant a "classic" looking boa - if ya know what I mean.

Thanks for all your help everyone. I am currently thinking that I'll get a common columbian BCI. (Probably other later, knowing my ability to say no to myself) Although, aren't they mostly mutts anyway? I just read that probably 5% are pure and I wouldn't know unless I imported them directly from thier country of origine or had the appropriate paper work. I may be wrong, please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm still a little confused - lol.

Thanks again.

BoidKeeper · 03-05-04, 12:57 PM

Well yeah there are some mutts out there. When it comes to Guyana and Suriname they are the same snake it's just that breeders over the years have selectively bred there boas to look a certain way, more of a local thing. I prefer the look of Surinames myself.
Common boas have been mix a lot I'm guessing. I imagine that mexican, colombians and central americans were mixed a lot many years ago when people where first getting into it. Also there are some hog out there that aren't pure anymore either. In my opion, after reading Vin Russos's artical called "mini boas" I believe that any hog island boa out there that is over 5 feet has had some main land boa blood introduced in its liniage at some point. Pure Hog's just don't get over 5 feet.
Basically your right, unless an animal is pulled out of the wild then you have no way of being 100% sure if it's pure.
At the end of the day as long as people aren't crossing Hog's with Colombians and Colombians with Guyanas the I think we'll be ok.
Cheers,
Trevor

Dani33 · 03-05-04, 01:09 PM

Thanks, all very interesting. The more I research the more I love em. I don't even have one yet - lol. I'll definately get the book and the Reptiles mag w/ that article. I guess that it would make sense about the Guyana and Suriname are the same since the countries are right next to each other. Now the wait - lol.

Thanks for your help everyone!!!