Bella is a  seven foot, 15 pound, red-tailed Boa Constrictor Constrictor (that's correct, the genus and subgenus).  She's 11 years old, and may live for another 30 years! We adopted her from a friend in Rochester, NY, who raised her from birth.  Boa Constrictors raised in captivity are generally docile, aggressive only when mishandled or threatened.   This is Deb's 2nd snake (first was a California Rainbow Boa -- Zeke), my first.  We are completely comfortable with Bella.  We let her out for at least an hour or two each day, she's either cruising around on her playpen or on one of us :)  Bella is fairly strong and willful, but friendly and not aggressive at all, a real cutie :)  A listing of her feedings/shed is here.

We're having a much larger habitat built for her, a custom job, in the planning stages.

Bella in her home, a custom-built environment, ranging from 78-92 degrees, both warm and cool spots for her to regulate body temperature.

Bella on the tubing we built for her to roam around on. You get an idea of her real size.

Here's another full body shot. Note the slight pinkness in the underbelly, and the red-tail markings.

Bella says hi, what a cutie! Her eyes are starting to glaze over as it's almost time to shed.

Another face shot :) again the eye is starting to get clouded.

Bella is very curious. She can extend nearly 1/2 her body length without support...she's very strong!

Debbie and Bella have a moment :) Note leftover skin on Bella's lower jaw from the last shed (first for us).

Humidity is low in the winter. Bella being a tropical snake, needs a lot! Her favorite way to get misty is to hang out in the shower, she loves it!

Zippy and Bella nose-to-nose! Bella does not see Zippy as food (too big), and has no fear of him either. Zippy is still perplexed!

Bella rolling about the playpen

Bella peeking out, her tongue a flickin'

Here's a near complete shed, the 2nd one. Note the eyes!

Deb sez this is NOT going in the stew!

3rd shed: when about to shed, the eyes go opaque.

Bella after 3rd shed, in the kitchen

Bella after 3rd shed, wrapping :)