narrowed down my search for a constrictor

[TeBo]

Ok, I know the first choice was a Ball Python until I held a baby Red-tail in my hand. I know I didn't want a red-tail because of its size. I want something that stays under 6 ft. (preferably in the 4 or 5ft. range) So, I looked around, and found something in the perfect look/size range. So now, I'm looking at getting a Hogg Island Boa, Carpet python, and just like 5 minutes ago, I found a picture of a caulcer Cay boa.

I'm just wondering, if anyone could help me compare these 3, or give me ideas of other constrictors that I could be interested in.

I'm trying to see them, in difference of size, (girth and length,), also their husbandry (is one harder to care for than the other?) and their disposition (is one possibly easier to handle than the other?) lifespan would help too. I'm just trying to do all the research I can, before I make a decision on buying an animal.

Are there other snakes I could be interested in?? Or should I just stick to a ball python

 

[DAND]

It sounds like you are rather new to this so I wouldn't suggest the Carpet. They get larger than what you are looking to get into and they have the tendencies to be a little aggressive. I'd either stick with one of the Boas or maybe start off with a Ball until you get a little more experience.

Keep us updated on your decision.

 

[allamericanPD]

boas

caulker cays stay the smallest and have good temperment, but rather exspensive. Next choice is the hogg island they r awesome lookin but will reach 5 feet or so sometimes bigger

 

[Ron Lech]

If you want something even smaller good choices would also be Rosy Boas, Childrens and Spotted Pythons. The latter two can be picky eaters as hatchlings so you would have to make sure whoever you were buying them from has them feeding on rodents. All are nice snakes especially if you are limited on space. Good luck with your search.

Ron Lech

 

[hhmoore]

it.s all a matter of taste...and how much space you are willing to (ultimately) give, and how much you are willing to spend (long term food costs should be considered, also). your post states that you are searching for a constrictor - that is a huge field, and leaves your options open. rats, milks, and kings are all constrictors and many (most) stay within your stated size limitations. they come in a wide variety of colors and patterns...not to mention the fact that they tend to require lower temps (less heating needed) than boids. do you want an active snake that moves around alot? are you planning on handling it alot? the more details you can give about what you are looking for in a snake, the better able we will be to point you toward a match.

 

[CAV]

I have Hog Islands, Caulkers and Brazilian Rainbow Boas. All of these should stay under 5-6 feet. Each individual will have their own temperament and it can vary quite a bit. All of these boas are relatively easy to keep IF you have a little experience and are willing to invest some time in handling them.

Although they are docile adults, baby caulkers can be a handful. They happen to be one of the boas that hiss. I don't mean quietly, like a hognose, but loud enough that they can be heard in the next room with the door shut. Routine handling will calm them down but it will take some effort in the beginning.

Rio Bravo Reptiles has a fantastic site with a lot of information on the dwarf insular boas. There are many interesting photos including this one that shows a Caulker, Hog, and true redtail boa hatchlings side-by-side. Here are a couple of photos of mine:

 

[CAV]

Of course if it is size that you desire, they just don't come any smaller than Rubber Boas!

 

[atomicgrrl]

Just thought I'd drop in and comment that you have absolutely beautiful snakes, I was particularly struck by the brilliancy of the Rainbow Boa.

 

[CAV]

Thanks! That BRB photo is one of my best ever. I guess the stars must have aligned just right because I can't seem to reproduce the quality of that photo.

 

[atomicgrrl]

Your welcome! I'm rather new to reptiles and have never seen a Brazilian Rainbow Boa before, just absolutely gorgeous . Although I must say all of your pictures are pretty good, what kind of camera do you have? If you don't mind me asking of course . Also, how long did it take for your Caulker Cay Boa to tame? And, does it mind being handled often (daily)? Thanks!

 

[TeBo]

ok, well when it comes to time, I have a lot of it, as I do nothing but sit in front of my computer just about all night. I want a snake I can handle well, and one that's not too jittery/fast/move aroundy (that even a word?).. I'm not looking into kingsnakes, as I know they have a bad reputation for being strikers. Most everyone I know who handles snakes, and have been bitten, say either they've been bitten by kings, or the worst bites they've had were from kings.

I'm looking for a snake that I could keep relatively small.. not necessarily small, but something I can keep handling w/ 2 hands, as opposed to over my shoulders or under my arms.. I have enough room for probably a 30L or 40L tank, but want to keep it at the 20L level for now (meaning yearlings or smaller animals.) I want something I can handle while sitting down or whatever.

Those rubberboas just look too small, but the pictures of the Caulcer cay was nice but i konw they're expensive. I found a hogg isle around my area for not too bad a price.

MY PERFECT SNAKE: Something the size of a ball python or smaller, coloration of a Red-tail, Temper of the last red-tail taht I held (when we opened the aquarium, he actually moved towards my hand.)

I'm thinking right now, of getting a male hogg isle as my best bet. I don't want more than one, I want just one snake I can give my time to.

SNAKES JUST HAVE SOOO MANY OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM ! ! SHEESH

 

[TeBo]

Anyone ever done business w/ www.reptilehavenonline.com ?? They're the ones that have Hogg Isle for $119 for babies. That would be my primary choice right now, if not a ball python (and I'm really not looking into ball pythons, although they are the perfect size.) I am really looking hard for nearby places to buy my snake, because I want to make sure I have something that would take nicely to handling.

Do Hogg Isles get that much fatter than a BP?

Sorry for all the questions, I just don't want to make a long-term decision I would regret. thanks=)

 

[CAV]

Most everyone I know who handles snakes, and have been bitten, say either they've been bitten by kings, or the worst bites they've had were from kings.

I have several kings that are puppy dog tame and have never even taken up a defensive posture. One such species is a L. alterna (Gray banded Kingsnake). They only get to be about 3-4" and can be housed in a small enclosure. (Photo 1 and avatar)

Another colubrid that is renowned for being very docile is a B. subocularis (Trans-Pecos Rat snake). They are beautiful and rarely engage in defensive posturing. (Photo 2, a yearling female)

the pictures of the Caulcer cay was nice but i konw they're expensive. I found a hogg isle around my area for not too bad a price.

Actually my Caulkers weren't much more than a Hog Island. The key is finding the hatchlings. Caulkers aren't widely held or bred and can be difficult to locate.

I can't stress enough that every snake has its own unique personality. One Hog may be extremely tame while another will be the spawn of Satan. Most will calm down with routine handling but some never do. I think your best bet may be to look for an adult with an established personality. You'll also know the size.

 

[CAV]

Do Hogg Isles get that much fatter than a BP?

That depends on the parent stock. If the lines are true and pure Hog, they will be much smaller than one that was out crossed with a larger (non-Hog) boa.

 

[TeBo]

personality of the snake is a very big deal to me, which is why I'm looking around for local places, where I can see/ handle the snakes before I buy it. I know it's hard to find pure bred hoggs, specially since they're extinct in the wild. But We'll see where I go from here. Right now, the Hogg Island Boa is my best bet. . .

As for king snakes, I konw my stories are probably selected, but when I had 3 guy s tell me, they had king snakes bite them, and stick on, and not let go while twisting, I was liek "I'd want a tamer/slower snake please." hence why I want a boa. I just don't want anything that could run away from me or whatever.

 

[TeBo]

Ok, I made up my mind.. it's just too beautiful, and I just want it.. so I'm going w/ a Red-Tail boa.. any particular breed be the smallest?? I just found out, that Red-Tails, don't get to be particularly big until they get to about 7 or 8 years old.. so I can deal w/ that.. By then, I'd have made enough adjustments to handle that kind of size.. the people living w/ me would have adjusted just the same.

 

[JCCS]

A male Nicaraguan is your best bet, fairly cheap, tame, stays small, and is tolerant of a first time boa keepers mistakes(they happen to everyone). I have Caulker Cays and Hog Islands. Hogs are the better choice of the two. Caulker Cays are nervous as babies and although are fairly hardy and tame down eventually, they are not beginner BCI. A good old common Colombian is a good choice too. If you keep a male on a slightly limited feeding schedule, he should never get over 6 ft.

Chris Canada-Smith

CCS Constrictors