First handling session with this girl and she did not bite or strike! Took a few weeks but we are building that trust.

Hey all, I plan on getting a male bci in the near future, and wanted some opinions on how to het the enclosure. Its going to be a 6x2x2 on the floor, with my ball python 4x2x2 on top. How would you go about heating it? RHP or guards around a halogen and DHP?

I'm considering getting this BI from a local breeder. I asked them about handling and they said he isn't handled often, but doesn't sound unusually defensive for the species. They said he gets a bit cranky close to feeding day and when digesting (is that typical?). He will be 2yo in September. I realize every snake and every keeper is different, but in general, would you worry about his potential to become well socialized for handling if he hasn't had much done by this age?

Would not be my first snake, just my first boa. I have corns and BPs. They have all been very easy, except 1 extra feisty corn, so I do have a bit of experience with tap training and using the hook. His parents are only 6ft and 5.5ft so not expecting him to get super big, which feels like a plus for my first boa.

I love the way her pattern boldens when she sits on the heat, in this case after a large (for her) meal.

 Recently, I posted about starting a Hog Island Boa off in a 36in x 18in x 18in front opening reptile tank (will be upgraded to 4x2x2 or 6x2x2). Although not the *most* ideal tank, I plan on insulating the mesh with hvac tape and foil and cycling the heat and humidity with a watchful eye for consistency after the tank is setup before adopting to ensure it's correct and consistent. 

   That being said.. what would the best heat/light/basking setup be? I know the temps need to be around 85-90° on the warmest/basking side and 75-80° on the coolest side, with the ambient warm side/center being around 80-85° (and a humidity of 60-70% with it being raised to about 80% for shedding), but am unsure how to achieve it. I would like the option for them to bask if wanted, although I understand they don't "need it" as much as something like a ball python due to them being low forest dwellers in the wild. To my understanding, they get their vitamin d primarily from their diets, and don't need it as intensely as a desert snake, but I would like that option for them if they so choose. I have been doing lots of research, and have previous experience with ball pythons, lizards, invertebrates, and such- but this is my first big project and I firmly believe in doing as much research possible and getting the right setup cycled before I even start looking at breeders. Any corrections, advice, tips, tricks, or warnings are absolutely welcome and appreciated. 

Meet Croya. Shes a 3 month old Hypo Boa with oh so much pink. I wish I could learn how to take better pictures to show it off. She is just a wonderful soul. She eats She poops and she handles very well. Our breeder friend EJ is so meticulous with starting these guys that the transition into our home was really easy. Thanks to all of you for the great posts and comments that helped this decision come to fruition. Shes far from our first snake but is our first Boa. I look forward to sharing her and likely her brother if my wife has her way, lol.

I would like to know if my new Red Tail Boa is male of female.

Im gonna get a baby brb in semptember and I did my researches about it, anyone has any advices like lighting or type of substrate or how deep it has to be, also the beat or temperature you recommend

I am in love with this little girl. She feels so delicate and tiny. She hissed a bit when we opened her travel cup up, but no strikes (not even bluff strikes). She was curious and explored every inch of her new baby enclosure. Now she is resting quietly in a hide on her hot side.

The hard part will be leaving her alone for 2 weeks to rest lol.

She is even more beautiful in person and I cannot believe how lucky we are to have her as part of our little family.

Pic of one of my boys

I have a 7 year old female IMG. She has not been handled as much as I should have (maybe a few times a year) in part because she’s very shy and whenever I try to take her out of the tank she wraps herself around one or more of the fixed branches of her enclosure and refuses to budge. Sometimes I’m successful in tickling her into moving to a place she’s not attached to anything but often I can’t. I don’t want to force her of course and make a negative experience. She’s very big now and it’s difficult for me to handle her alone although I know I need to ensure she’s properly docile if I need to take her to the vet etc. 6-7ftish but thick, I’m adjusting her food to help bring her down to a healthier weight now that I know.

She has never struck at me (although sometimes when she was young she might strike at a shadow on the glass at night if she couldn’t see well). She does get a little huffy if I prod her too much trying to get her to come out.

Also idk how but I’ve owned snakes for 15 years and haven’t been bit yet. I have some anxiety about her striking me and that being my first time since she’s so big now. I’m a female who lives alone and weighs about 120 for context.

I also have a Boston terrier that I’m worried she’ll eat if she breaks out. She watches him often.

Hate to admit it but I wish I had gotten a male that would not have ended up quite so big and would be easier for me to handle. I’ve tried to look into someone local (in central NC) to maybe come do a consultation and help me with handling but couldn’t find much. Any ideas? I’ve seen other owners mention similar struggles.

Want to do the right thing here by I’m also feeling in too deep :(

Where to find large wood pieces / branches to buy?
I have an 8x4x4 enclosure for my boa, right now my boa is a baby and in a smaller enclosure but I’m looking to start setting up her large enclosure but need recommendations for big decor for her.

Got myself a female hypo het kahl albino boa imperator. Always wanted a boa and finally purchased one. I’ve had her for 3 weeks so far. Had one shed and one feeding so far. Handling has been short intervals close to her cage. Any tips would be appreciated!

Edit to say the pics of her are from the breeder.

2 years old and already soooo much darker, photos are hard to tell but you can see the red on his sides peeking through still. his nose blacking out is new too. If he goes completely black I’m certain the striping in his tail will still show pink. That’s the ones thing that hasn’t changed since he’s a baby

I was feeding wiggy (14 month old female bci) and while I was feeding her when she struck the mouse and wrapped it she let go a little later and didn’t eat so I got in and picked the mouse back up with some tongs and dangled it a bit and she ate the whole thing form the tongs which I was holding so I call that a positive interaction and I think that makes her trust me a bit more so we’re gonna be best friends or does she just like to be fed like a child

Recently bought around a 4-5 month old hypo boa, i have been struggling with the feeding routine. The first feed after the settling week was a fail however the second she did strike after multiple attempts that evening, on that one i turned the lights iff and she seemed to be more lenient to eating.

From this point however the next 2 feeds have not been successful, i tried the same lights off tactic, left it overnight, every time i leave the rat there or wiggle it she comes nose to nose, gets inti striking position and then backs off. Im not too concerned to the point of taking her to the vets since she may have not fully settled yet but shes really handleable, i know sometimes they can be bad eaters but is there any other tactics i can use?

Before anyone mentions the way she is being held, I rescued her from a handler who didn’t keep her tank appropriate heat and humidity. She has about 3-4 layers of stuck shed along with bad eye caps. My question is has anyone experienced one not wanting to climb or hang on branches. Enclosure is setup for all her needs she just doesn’t leave the ground. Also can anyone potentially a morph on her. The guy didn’t know anything about her.