Common Boa (BCI), The Best Pet Snake?

The common boa (Boa constrictor imperator) might just be the best pet snake on planet earth. Clint looks at the these incredible snakes to help you determine if the common boa is the right pet snake for you.

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Snake Rack:

Boaphiles:

Rodents:

Hide:

Water Bowl:

Substrate:

Thermostats:

Heat Pads:

Heat Tape:

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0:50 Common Boas get an overall score of 3.6 out of 5.

1:06 Score criteria: Handleability, Care, Hardiness, Availability, Upfront Costs.

1:16 Handleability: How well does a Common Boa (BCI) do with handling?

6:10 Care: What is involved with caring for BCIs?

6:11 Hardiness: How hardy are Common Boas (BCIs)?

10:34 Availability: How easy is it to obtain a Common Boa?

11:34 Upfront Costs: How much does it cost to get setup with a Common Boa?

14:18 Conclusion: BCIs are great and deserve an overall score of 3.6.

15:53 Bloopers, out-takes, silliness.

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Clint is a professional biologist and educator, but above all, Clint LOVES reptiles and he loves to share that love with everyone he meets. Whether you're lover or a hater of reptiles, you can't help but get excited with Clint!
We post a new video every Saturday morning! So stay tuned!

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You guys are so RAD!

[alexanderbrown]

Wonderful video! I am a veterinarian with a special interest in reptiles coming from Ontario, Canada and I have been loving your videos! The content is bang on the mark and the presentation is excellent! Thanks for all that you do.

[sylvertonguephoenix]

My favorite quote now... "When you're a noodle with a head, the world is a scary place."

[ducky]

Clint is the Bob Ross of the reptile world

[sjsmith]

Please start selling T-shirts that say "If you're a noodle with a head, the world is a scary place." That's hilarious.

[JesionWer]

So, when I decided that I want a pet (a single pet, not starting collection or anything), I narrowed it down to a snake, and when I researched snakes I narrowed it down to BCI boa, preferably a baby, so it can grow with me learning how to handle a big snake.
I got Zaar when he was around 3 months old and he is absolutely amazing. I love how active and curious he is without being too fast. What's most important, contrary to his siblings ( I also had chance to handle them) he never striked. He hissed at me once in shed - but he half-assed it to the point that paranoid me had to pick him up to check for respiratory infection - and ignored me when I was picking him up. I was mentally prepared to be beaten. His personality is 12/10
So thank you Clint for helping me to make informed choice! I feel quite confident in my husbandry, what I should change when my snake will get bigger and honestly, I feel like I finally made some good decisions in my life. Zaar is thriving ❤️
Thank you again, take care!

[Paula-swtt]

I have been keeping snakes for 50+ years. I got my first BCI 5 years ago. Now I have three of them. They are hands down my all time favorite snakes. I have owned bps and I totally agree, my boas NEVER refuse food. In fact, the day after I feed them they will lie to you and say they are starving!

[adamdavis]

Boas are hands down my favorite snakes. They're just big enough to be impressive, but not so big you can't safely handle them by yourself.

They're active in their enclosures too so unlike ball pythons, they're interesting to watch.

Handling wise, they move around enough to keep you engaged, but they move very slowly and are easy to maintain control of.

Personality wise, I've taken more strikes from ball pythons than either of my boas (neither have ever struck at me)

I think overall they have a more relaxed personality than many pythons.

[tylerdawson]

You should do a collection video, show us all the reptiles

[jessenicoletta]

"These tend to be a bit more active, you can't exactly do other tasks while handling them... now watch me flex my skills by handling two at the same time while I make a video."

[timbos]

You have just absolutely solidified my choice for the single pet snake I want to hold in my collection. It's going to be a smaller locale of BCI!

[karyannfontaine]

The BCI Boa is a fabulous snake. I have 4 of them. My first one, a dwarf male, had not been handled and his owner was afraid of him. He hissed and struck out of fear. He is around my shoulders as I watch this video. He learned I will not hurt him, even if he bites, and now we are great friends. My other Boa Imperators will grow much larger.

[googelaiz]

How can people be afraid of these gentle noodles? I wish i could get a Boa at some point! For now i'm going for smaller species mostly!

[jonrucker]

8:22 the Boa has a mustache and a goatee... you can never unsee it now

[alexiscondit]

I've had my BCI since I was 18, and I'm 32 now. He's never struck at me except when food is involved. It is important to be able to read their body language though, because a big one can inflict a serious bite. But he is so sweet and I absolutely feel the same way about them being the best pet snake.

[charopinero]

I love how excited you get over reptiles, its so refreshing to see.

[gab]

I want to thank you, Clint. I never thought I would get a boa, but I picked up a sunglow that was missing an eye. She’s a perfect pet! She never goes after anyone, she seems to want to be held (thought I don’t think reptiles care), and eats like a champ. I love her.

[em_jav]

7:38 “When you’re a noodle with a head....” hahaha!

[VoxVocisCruora]

I just accidentally got a boa at a reptile expo yesterday (fell in love with her coloring) without knowing much about them. But I'm dedicated to giving her the best life she can have, so this video was pretty useful in educating me on them! I love how easy to understand the information is given and how much you obviously love snakes, in all your videos. Thanks again!

[jadecoloredglasses]

That moment when she peeked up over the back of your head, adorable! Very pretty snakes. 😁🐍

[NomadicSheep]

This right here is why I'm getting a snake. Ivr been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and have been having a hard time with therapy, treatment, support, etc. Animals Have been an amazing help through my last few months of lows (lost feeling in my hands). My earliest memories of animals and one of my best kept childhood memories was being allowed to handle a boa. It was so wonderful. I've been hooked ever since. That was about 23yrs ago. I'm 29 now and doing serious research into keeping a snake and hopefully further down the line breeding. Thank you for all you do not only in the community but also in putting the information together for those wanting to learn. Thank you for your passion for animals. From a fellow animal lover ☺️