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Hogg Island Boas-- Are they dangerous?

Optreptiles

Optreptiles

New member
I have been thinking for a while now about getting a Hogg island or Nicaraguan boa, but I'm concerned for the safety of my other pets, aka my dog and cat. Obviously I would keep such an animal under tight security, but I would always have the fear of an escape in the back of my mind. Would a 5 to 6 foot BCI even be large enough to kill an 85 pound boxer? I know that they don't get nearly as big or strong as their mainland relatives, but i certainly wouldn't underestimate them. Any advice from boa owners out there?
 
I wouldn't be concerned. I have my regular BCI in a big cage that has a lock on the doors, so he can't get out (he's still quite young too, only at 4'4"). I would think that a small cat could be hurt by a big snake, but it won't be an issue if the cat is in a different room when you are handling the snake. I definitely don't think the dog would be at risk though. As always, use supervision, but as a general rule, I don't let my other pets near my snakes.
 
Well Hogg Island spelled with two g's usually means that they crossed with something else.
Hog Island boas are a locality boa and usually stay under 7 feet especially the males.

We have a yearling Hog Island boa. He is the most laid back snake. I had wondered myself for the safety of my cats with big boas or pythons but I was told they don't usually see domestic cats and dogs as prey but more as a predator. I was told to be more afraid of the cats or dogs doing more damage to the snake.

I would recommend a Hog Island to anyone! They are such awesome creatures!
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Awww your snake is beautiful! I love how their colors shift as the day goes on. Thanks for the tip about the name of the snake as well, I actually thought that it was just a matter of how you spell "hog", or "hogg".
 
There is a member here named kokopelli that knows a lot about boas. He actually pointed it out the other day. You might ask him for advice as well! There are a lot of awesome boas out there!

Hog Island Boa's actually come from Cayos Cochinos island which when translated means Hog Island.
 
Beautifullywild, how long is your Hog Island at one year? He's so very beautiful, and I desperately want one as well!
 
I'm still obsessing over these snakes. Contacted a breeder who will hopefully have some babies for sale around my birthday. Can't wait!
 
Definitely wouldn't worry about it. I have a 75 lb boxer (with hardly any good teeth left at her age!) and, with a 6 ft or smaller boa, I'd still be more worried about her hurting the snake than the snake hurting her. ;)

beautifullywild, do you know the reasoning behind that (Hog vs Hogg meaning it's mixed with something)? I, too, have never heard that, and have always thought (and, from the little I've read on the subject, seen) that it was a personal preference thing. Some like to spell it Hog, others like to spell it Hogg, just like some will call them "Isle" instead of "Island." Granted, I know squat about BCI localities aside from what stays small and what doesn't, and what they look like, so maybe I just missed that last time I sat down and researched Hogs... Anyway, if you know what thread Oren mentioned that in, I'd love to read the discussion. Always something new to learn about these guys, isn't there? :)
 
Caramel said:
This my hog island boa two years ago. I need to take new pics of her...

http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99860

she's 4 years now, 6-7 feet and 15 lbs. She's a pure hog and a big one :D never had any trouble with her like beeing aggrassive. BUT, shes strong, really strong! So i 'd be carefull with a cat ;)
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She is absolutely gorgeous!!!! If you don't mind me asking, who did you get her from? I think I've decided who I'm going to get my hog from, but I'm still doing my research. I do know I want a pure hog for sure since the hypos I've heard often end up larger and I want a smaller boa.
 
Sorry, i live in germany and the breeder i got mine from too. He sold his colection a few years back...
 
As others said, Hog Isle Boas (Cayos Los Cochinos) aren't deemed dangerous.

It is important to know though that out of the dwarf variants of the BCI complex, they are some of the largest... in a way, they are kind of "the biggest dwarf Boa" if that makes sense.
On a forceful feeding regiment(which is very unrecommended for tons of reasons) their size can even rival that of Colombian BCI who aren't considered dwarf at all.

The facts should also be presented straight- a keeper in the US was killed by a Boa Constrictor Constrictor... and I would not be overwhelmingly surprised if an idiot got himself killed by a size-gifted BCI one day as well(an act that would require heaps of amazing stupidity but if I humanity always has stocks of those a swell ;) )

Snakes generally would do best on their own... minimal interaction with other snakes and definitely other animals is advisable due to health risks- Cryptosporidium is definitely one such threat(and I am talking from experience as it pretty much decimated my collection).
Which is why I wouldn't feel comfortable just saying that they can hang out... they probably can, but in the years I kept Boas... which is not that many, I have seen just about every single possible complication in keeping Boas... risk management is preferable IMHO.

BCI are generally calm and make excellent handling animals... the risk is very low really, and taking a Hog Isle is cutting even that small chance by a significant factor.

If you -really- want to play it safe though, I would say that Nicaragua Boas are definitely something you should consider... these Boas remain very small, are much more slender, and can't really pose more threat than a Ball Python... all packed with the much appealing temperament of Boas.

Sorry for babbling... I am trying to give the complete picture for you to sort out as you deem fit.

Best of luck, Boas are AMAZING.
 
Kokopelli said:
As others said, Hog Isle Boas (Cayos Los Cochinos) aren't deemed dangerous.

It is important to know though that out of the dwarf variants of the BCI complex, they are some of the largest... in a way, they are kind of "the biggest dwarf Boa" if that makes sense.
On a forceful feeding regiment(which is very unrecommended for tons of reasons) their size can even rival that of Colombian BCI who aren't considered dwarf at all.

The facts should also be presented straight- a keeper in the US was killed by a Boa Constrictor Constrictor... and I would not be overwhelmingly surprised if an idiot got himself killed by a size-gifted BCI one day as well(an act that would require heaps of amazing stupidity but if I humanity always has stocks of those a swell ;) )

Snakes generally would do best on their own... minimal interaction with other snakes and definitely other animals is advisable due to health risks- Cryptosporidium is definitely one such threat(and I am talking from experience as it pretty much decimated my collection).
Which is why I wouldn't feel comfortable just saying that they can hang out... they probably can, but in the years I kept Boas... which is not that many, I have seen just about every single possible complication in keeping Boas... risk management is preferable IMHO.

BCI are generally calm and make excellent handling animals... the risk is very low really, and taking a Hog Isle is cutting even that small chance by a significant factor.

If you -really- want to play it safe though, I would say that Nicaragua Boas are definitely something you should consider... these Boas remain very small, are much more slender, and can't really pose more threat than a Ball Python... all packed with the much appealing temperament of Boas.

Sorry for babbling... I am trying to give the complete picture for you to sort out as you deem fit.

Best of luck, Boas are AMAZING.
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Hey Kokopelli, thanks for all the info, it helps me a lot. As for nic boas, I'm sort of unsure about their temperament, as I've seen a lot of really aggressive ones at my local reptile show. I would love to have a hog island boa, as i feel that they are just the right size, and they come in so many beautiful morphs. I would most likely be keeping the snake in my bedroom (as it's off limits to the cat), but my dog sleeps in there every night.

By the way, would you mind if I send you a friend request? I don't really know anyone who can give me advice on boas...
 
Floof said:
Definitely wouldn't worry about it. I have a 75 lb boxer (with hardly any good teeth left at her age!) and, with a 6 ft or smaller boa, I'd still be more worried about her hurting the snake than the snake hurting her. ;)

beautifullywild, do you know the reasoning behind that (Hog vs Hogg meaning it's mixed with something)? I, too, have never heard that, and have always thought (and, from the little I've read on the subject, seen) that it was a personal preference thing. Some like to spell it Hog, others like to spell it Hogg, just like some will call them "Isle" instead of "Island." Granted, I know squat about BCI localities aside from what stays small and what doesn't, and what they look like, so maybe I just missed that last time I sat down and researched Hogs... Anyway, if you know what thread Oren mentioned that in, I'd love to read the discussion. Always something new to learn about these guys, isn't there? :)
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I first saw in a forum for boa's while hubby was researching which one he wanted to get. I totally forgot about it until Oren posted it in another boa thread

Kokopelli said:
Thought I'd budge in...

1- Firstly, avoid "Hogg Isle" Boas... the use of Double "gg" actually means that it's a cross, in the guise of a misspell(in which case no can can 100% guarantee size). Hog Isle Boas would be a good fit though, especially if you opt for a male.
.
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Then some will tell you people just spell it wrong. Hog Island Boa is just the nice version of the english translation for the spanish name Cayos los Cochinos (Keys the Pigs).
 
beautifullywild77 said:
I first saw in a forum for boa's while hubby was researching which one he wanted to get. I totally forgot about it until Oren posted it in another boa thread




Then some will tell you people just spell it wrong. Hog Island Boa is just the nice version of the english translation for the spanish name Cayos los Cochinos (Keys the Pigs).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information, I had no idea. :) Learn something new every day!
 
From personal experience, Nicaraguan Boas are actually awesome. I can't say the same for El Salvador ones though... I know pissy Hog Isle Boas, Pissy Colombians and so forth... it rarely lasts into adulthood... if you get your Boa from a decent breeder, you should be fine(as he will sell you a CB rather than a WC animal).

As for the "Hogg" thing... it really isn't a widely accepted term- some people created Hog crosses and didn't want to use "Hog Isle", but wanted to still be shifty and sell their animals as something a bit more than crosses- so they named them "Hogg Isle"... that way, they weren't lying per se... but weren't overly decent either.

Once the use(or missuse, rather) of the term was understood by keepers, the general recommendation is to avoid "Hogg Isle Boas".
In some cases, indeed, it's just a misspell... especially since the web is now filled with the "Hogg Isle" misspell because people got exposed to it without knowing better.

Better safe than sorry, mixed with caution in general- you wouldn't believe how deeply out-crossed the Hog Isle locality is now... especially as it has gone extinct in the wild.
 
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