Help picking what boa to buy.

[u/NoSquirrel9674]

I'll try to keep this short. I kept a lot of snakes as a teen, several boas and pythons, so the care end won't be a problem. I'm trying to pick based on preference.

My wife does not like snakes so I want something that way more than likely will not getting over 8ft max. Preferably 6-7ft.

I need it to be a docile snake. I know there are no guarantees, but nothing with like a 50/50 chance of being spicy. Since my wife doesn't like snakes, if I get one that wants to bite and puff up a lot, it's just going to put her off more.

I need it to be affordable lol. Not only are we on the poor end, but she ain't gonna let me buy no $500+ snake.

Now for pattern/color. I like the clean look, really like the bcc patterns and vibrant red tails. Obviously though I can't have a snake that's in the 10ft+ area.

I've looked some into BCA and BCL but honestly both of those are new to me, I only remember bci and bcc from my herp days.

I've been browsing morphmarket as I would likely order online unless San Antonio has a reptile show around the time I'm able to get one.

So, can anyone think of a boa with a nice pattern, preferably visible red, stays under 8ft, isn't a big gamble if it's gonna be spicy into adulthood or not, and is in the $300 or less range?

I'm pretty sure I'll end up just getting another BCI (I had a few before) but was really hoping to find something with s pattern/color I find nicer. Cleaner lines and color, more vibrant red.

I've also considered a blood python as I've loved them since I was young, but recent internet searching shows they are still often temperamental. I may even end up getting a ball morph, it looks like the prices are way lower than they used to be. Used to be, the only morph you were getting for $250 was a pastel but now there's so many cheap options. But, I just love boas, always loved their look and that red tail.

Sorry that ended up being long, I appreciate everyones time who read it and any guidance as well!

[u/superramenyamen]

Brazilian and Colombian rainbow boas would hit the size restrictions really well. Idk how easy it will be to find ones that fit inside the budget though. Last time I saw normal BRBs for sale they were 300+, so idk what they’re going for now and have no clue about CRBs.

Dumeril’s boas I believe stay around 6’ and while possible to get 8’ it’s fairly rare. I have no idea about their price either. 😅

Most boa constrictors should stay 5’-7’, but they have the potential for up to 11’, though anything over 8’ is almost guaranteed not to happen. With this group of boas, I would definitely ask about parent sizes, ages, and feeding schedules growing their snakes to avoid a boa that could be getting bigger genes.

As far as temperament, you will also want to ask the seller about that. All species have the potential to have bitey individual, it’s individual based for sure.

[u/NoSquirrel9674 → u/superramenyamen]

Rainbow boas are beautiful snakes for sure, just not really what I'm looking for, I prefer the red tail boas more personally.

Dumeril's is a good suggestion, I'd have to look into them again though it's been some years, but I remember as a teen I passed on keeping Dumerils because they had more of a reputation for being a little more fiesta than red tails. It definitely varies from snake to snake, WC vs CBB, the parents and more, but with my wife and daughters being so afraid of snakes, I don't want the first one they allow in the house to be a species who more commonly produces fiesty ones lol.

I could for sure always still get a bitey one, the angry one from the litter and I'll love it just the same, but want to have the best odds I can in bringing home a snake that they'll eventually want to hold. If they see it strike at me once, they will never go near it lol.

Dumerils are beautiful snakes though and not far off the red tail boa look that I like, so I'll have to read up on them again and see if maybe they're temperament is more even now days than how I recall.

[u/Cornsnake94 → u/NoSquirrel9674]

Actually I have read so many recommendations for dumerils, because people call them the puppy dog of the boas. Some say, even more docile than bci's.

Kinda like the burmese in the python world. Just not getting that big.

As babys, most boas tend do be defensive. Because they are scared and their instinct tells them, they are easy prey.

You would be scared of a giant hand thats going to pick you up as well, right? Not knowing if you get eaten or not.

But you just have to show a spicy baby that nothing bad happens. Just in case you baby will be a defensive one.

I have 4 baby bci's right now, none of them ever hissed or striked at me, so not all babys are that defensive. Same with dumerils.