Damn, just noticed original post was 2007.... never mind...
I keep Candoia bibroni bibroni (Fiji boa) - more similar to C australis than to C. carinata, but I agree they would not make an ideal snake for the less experienced keeper - they can be hard to feed. My adults will now eat almost anything but still much prefer geckos and chicks to anything else.
Coincidentally a member has just posted some Candoia carinata carinata for sale because they are not really a "beginner" snake - you might be interested in seeing his comments:
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=503589
By the way, a 3 month old Candoia bibroni bibroni (and I presume an australis) would be about 30 cm (a foot) long, about as thick as a pencil, and weigh maybe 20 - 30 gms. I presume a C carinata would be significantly smaller.
Can you get a picture of the baby you are considering and post it?