newbie and his snake

[Grbeiz]

Hi

Just got this baby snake for my 7 year old who is in love with snakes.. the guy who sold it to me was not sure if its a Boa or a Phyton...

Can anyone help in identifying the species so that I am able to read about it?

Also any suggetions for a newbie on how to handle him outside his living space? can we pet him?:crazy::crazy:

[mmarchl23]

Its a boa for sure. Im not very good with localities so some one else can chime in there.

you can handle them, but allow some time for it to settle in (i let my new snakes go for 2 weeks). also, be sure to leave it be for a few days after feedings and also while in shed.

being that you're new to the hobby could you maybe tell us about the temps and humidity and maybe post a picture or two of the set up. it could help you in the long run if something isnt quite right.

[sweatshirt]

Boa. Looks like a normal Colombian BCI :)

[marvelfreak]

Really nice looking Boa.

[snakeman879]

As above its a boa its a nice one 2 . They get big and very strong. So I would recomend that u be there when your son handels it not because somthing will happen but somthing could happen I am always there if eny of my kids hold my boa beter to be safe. Verry nice snake all the best

[Kid Boa]

As above its a boa its a nice one 2 . They get big and very strong. So I would recomend that u be there when your son handels it not because somthing will happen but somthing could happen I am always there if eny of my kids hold my boa beter to be safe. Verry nice snake all the best

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I agree 100% and on an off note. These animals grow very fast and depending on its local will reach 7-12 ft. long.

[formica]

nice boa!

yes indeed it could well outgrow your son within 2-3 years, depending on exactly what kind of boa it is. boa's tend to be fairly well behaved, but always supervise any handling or interaction, especially if it grows particularly large ( you can buy a lock for the enclsure and keep the keys, if ur son is half as curious as I was, this is a good idea lol)

assuming that its fairly docile, simply lift it out of the enclosure, lift it about 1/3 the length from the head, dont grip it or put any pressure on the body, just hold its weight in your hand, allow it to move from hand to hand/arm to arm, guide it and present hands/arms to move onto, a few minutes a day, building the time up as it gets more used to you

dont over do it, you dont want to stress it to much - and also be aware of Salmonella, good hygiene is essential for kids handling snakes, a simple antibacterial gel handwash or soap and hot water, should be used after every time it is handled (consider the snake the same way you would raw chicken)

any hissing/striking by the snake when you goto pick it up, should be ignored completly, just carry on picking it up, most will calm down as soon as they are in your hands

dont handle your boa for 2 days after feeding, and dont handle when in shed (eyes turn grey-blue)

[Grbeiz]

Hey Guys

Thanks for your valuable feedback- I'll make sure to abide by them... At what length/weight do you believe he could become a threat if handled by a 8 year old? I reckon it is 2 foot long now..

Posted a couple pictures of the enclosure and the set up - humidity is around 90% now and temp varying from 75 night to 95 day... guess I need to keep at 85 on an ongoing basis ..reason i put the lamp for night time..

Feeedback is that its cross breed BCI columbian X BCI Central America... If this baby grows to more than 4-5 feet I wont be able to keep at home.. too dangerous with 3 kids running around and the youngest at 30 months.. Trying to think on plans from now on where to put this would be monster!!

I have a plan to build him a wooden/Glass box instead of the current fish aquarium .. Should start by next week - anyone has plans for a good wooden box..

Thanks again to all !!

[formica]

has he got a hide? a box with a hole in it will do, needs one on the cool end and one on the warm end, just cant see any in the tank...

you gave one temp reading - have you got a tempreture gradient in the enclosure? its very important that they can access both warm and cooler areas, best way to do with is with a heat mat under the tank at one end and a thermostat

someone who knows more about the specific types of BCI's will be along to give u more info on its size/strength i'm sure - they have the potential to become very large, all of them are strong for their size, being constrictors they have very well developed muscles


90% is too high for a BCI, 60% is fine, if its too high, it can lead to respiritory infections, too low and he'l have problems shedding



recomend you read some caresheets, have a search thru this forum and u'll find some