New Dumeril's

[toddnbecka]

Finally got a few pics of the young Dumeril's boa that Becka couldn't do without, lol. She just loves her colors and pattern. Guessing she's around 18-24 months old, not a new baby but still a long way from fully grown. She was on the Outback Reptiles table, taken in trade (apparently before the show opened to the public on Saturday) so we have no info on her background. Calm disposition, spends nearly all her time under the warm hide, day and night, as far as I've seen. Easy to handle, though a bit more active than our BCI's. Acts more like a ground-dwelling snake, always wants to wrap around to feel secure and then head down, rather than up, like the semi-arboreal snakes and even the BCI's usually do. Dropped a nice load or urates on Becka when she took her out of the bag on the drive home from the show. I offered her a f/t mouse then a f/t rat pup earlier in the week but she ignored both. Will try again tomorrow, figure she'll be on the same 10 day feeding schedule as the BCI's.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060849_zpsdxt555sm.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060849_zpsdxt555sm.jpg.html)

Head shape is a bit longer than the red tail crowd, also a bit thicker-bodied relative to her length, particularly noticeable at the neck:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060856_zpsygabthgy.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060856_zpsygabthgy.jpg.html)

Noticed how short her tail is compared to a BCI, downright stubby:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060852_zpslyhvpodf.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060852_zpslyhvpodf.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060848_zps2nzmo1bi.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060848_zps2nzmo1bi.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060847_zpsokbdpfqd.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060847_zpsokbdpfqd.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/toddnbecka/Snakes/P1060858_zpsiezn3ahh.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/toddnbecka/media/Snakes/P1060858_zpsiezn3ahh.jpg.html)

[Minkness]

Gah! Gotta go and make me want one, don't you!? Eeeevil.....

[Herpo]

I can understand why she didn't want to live without it! Very nice!

[toddnbecka]

Gah! Gotta go and make me want one, don't you!? Eeeevil.....

I never said I was here to help... LOL. One good thing about the Dumeril's, they're a dwarf boa, this girl will likely max out at 5-6'. Won't need as large of an enclosure as the red tails, 4'x2'x12" should suit her as an adult methinks.

[Minkness]

Dangit, knowing that makes it worse! Lol. They have a dumer at my local store too... I was trying not to look around too much though so I wouldn't buy anything new lol.

[toddnbecka]

Slow growing too, unlike the carpet pythons. My jungle/cross is a good bit longer than this girl, and she's probably at leasy a few months older. This girl was $150, I figured that was a fair price for her size and age, new babies go for $100.

[Herpo]

I reckon Minks sprinting to the reptile store right now...

[EL Ziggy]

Another beauty for your collection TnB. Congrats!

[Minkness]

I reckon Minks sprinting to the reptile store right now...

Nah, they're closed. ;)

I am actually trying to stay on track with planned purchases before grabbing random extras. We'll see how well that goes lol.

[Herpo]

Nah, they're closed. ;)

I am actually trying to stay on track with planned purchases before grabbing random extras. We'll see how well that goes lol.
Careful what you say Mink, they'll start another bet thread lol! ;) When I get old enough to actually drive, I'll be you basically. Building up my collection one reptile at a time lol!

[Herpo]

Dammit, where's the like button lol. I keep looking for one...

[Minkness]

LOL! There is noblike buttons unfortunately.

Also, you don't need to drive if they are delivered to your door!

I just submitted an inquiry on my 3rd snake from online. XD

At this rate I will have one new snake a month...may, june, july, and depending on when a certain litter is born, later this summer!

I know I should slow down....but I really don't even want to!

[Herpo]

Reptile keeping is the best disease! There is no cure, but who needs one!?

[Minkness]

My wallet needs one! Lol

[Herpo]

My wallet needs one! Lol

Lol, a small sacrifice. Best things money can buy!

[Dan84]

Good looking dumerils. It's hard to imagine that mine was that small just a short time ago.

My guess is that she is closer to 14 - 16 months. My dumerils was about 750g and 38" at 14 months while eating small/medium rats. She is currently 26 months, 1750g, 55" and eating large rats.

[Snakesitter]

Very nice pickup! Did you name her yet?

[toddnbecka]

Becka named her Beauty, she's the one who really wanted to bring her home. So far she's ignored f/t adult mice and rat pups. I'm guessing she's accustomed to live prey. My little IJ carpet shows more interest in f/t (mice) than the Dumeril's, but still won't take them in the end. I can see it's going to be fun switching them both to f/t rats. Any tips on that transition process would be much appreciated.

[Albert Clark]

Hey TnB, the key to transitioning is to be vigilant and persistent. With older animals it may take time but along with persistence comes the fact that you may have to watch the animal miss meals and continue to refuse to feed. In that case, you need to be prepared to monitor weight loss monthly. One key to transitioning is getting a adequate heat signature on the prey item and presenting it in a more natural way such as movement of the item along the enclosure floor and doing so by holding it by the scruff of the neck or at the mid body. Be prepared to be tried bc in some cases a animal may never transition to a different prey item. What really is important is that the animal is feeding as opposed to what he's feeding on. Good luck. So, heat signature and presentation are two main keys to transitioning. The younger the animal the more chance of being successful. Btw, that's a gorgeous reptile you have there.

[Snakesitter]

Find out from the breeder what the snake was eating before -- prey type, size, preparation method, feeding time, etc. The more of these you can "match," even with f/t food, the better your chance of success. You may have to go through a "just-killed" step in between.

[FWK]

Dumeril's Boas are nocturnal, you'll get the best results offering food after dark. My Dumeril's will eat during the day, but is typically hesitant. After dark I have to be careful opening his enclosure so he doesn't grab my hand. Have a light on in the hall or next room, just enough light so you can see the snake and it can see the prey item. How you arrange the enclosure can effect the feeding response as well. Providing overhead clutter, such as artificial plants, that the snake can hang out under with a clear "ambush zone" in the middle has proven effective in provoking a strong feeding response from my Dumeril's. To much clutter without a clearing, or not enough clutter seem to really dampen his response. Wiggle the prey item around in the clear area until the snake grabs it. The strike is hard, but the coil slow. More often than not mine wont constrict at all, but just pin the prey item against the floor. He also takes forever to eat, by far the slowest eater I have. Dumeril's Boas do not have heat pits, the temperature of the prey item is a non-factor.

[Arachnaeoccult]

Look at the snoot on that!

[toddnbecka]

Find out from the breeder what the snake was eating before -- prey type, size, preparation method, feeding time, etc. The more of these you can "match," even with f/t food, the better your chance of success. You may have to go through a "just-killed" step in between.

I got her from the Outback Reptiles table at the Hamburg show. They said she had been taken in trade that day, so I doubt they'd have any info on her diet.

I tried leaving the f/t ovenight, put in front of her hide right before turning off the lights. She's been soaking in the water bowl a bit.

[Albert Clark]

Dumerils boas may not have heat pits, but they are ambush predators who lie in wait for extended periods of time for prey. According to the Chicago Zoo, frozen thawed offerings should be " appropriately defrosted". I think that means having a normal heat signature of a rodent which is 100f.(normal physiologic temperature). Making the heat signature a factor.

[FWK]

Dumerils boas may not have heat pits, but they are ambush predators who lie in wait for extended periods of time for prey. According to the Chicago Zoo, frozen thawed offerings should be " appropriately defrosted". I think that means having a normal heat signature of a rodent which is 100f.(normal physiologic temperature). Making the heat signature a factor.

Frozen/thawed prey should always be appropriately defrosted, regardless of the species being fed. Dumeril's Boas cannot detect a heat signature, it doesn't matter if the prey item is 75 degrees fahrenheit or 110. If I'm offering food to a Ball Python who is slow to react, reheating the the rodent by dipping it back into the warm water and offering it again can trigger a strike. When feeding an animal that cannot detect a heat signature I just keep wiggling the prey item around until the snake takes it, it is pointless to reheat it.

[dannybgoode]

If I could have another snake I'd go out tomorrow and buy a Dumerils. Lovely lovely snake. Congratulations...

[Albert Clark]

If I could have another snake I'd go out tomorrow and buy a Dumerils. Lovely lovely snake. Congratulations...

They really are a beautiful animal. When I get more space I will definitely add them to my collection.

[Arachnaeoccult]

in my view I like variety, I need to have the pretty colorful little ones, the big reptilian monsters and gentle giants, and a novelty specimen here and there. Boas are on my go-to list of gentle giants and the Dumerile's appeal to my somewhat lovecraftian obsession with non-mammals but also got a puppy dog face.

[Snakesitter]

I got her from the Outback Reptiles table at the Hamburg show. They said she had been taken in trade that day, so I doubt they'd have any info on her diet.
That makes it tough. I'm surprised they did not ask the seller though. I would always want to know if an animal I'm taking is feeding, and on what.

[Snakesitter]

appropriately defrosted
LOL. Images of new keepers trying to offer ratsicles... ;-)

[toddnbecka]

She took a live mouse, not what I'd prefer to feed her but at least it's a start. It was a small one, only been eating on its own for about a week.

[Albert Clark]

She took a live mouse, not what I'd prefer to feed her but at least it's a start. It was a small one, only been eating on its own for about a week.

Congrats! And they usually decide when it's their time. They do sometimes need some coaxing. The main thing is she's eating.

[toddnbecka]

I wasn't too worried, she looks plump enough to miss a few meals without any danger, lol. She's about the same length as out 2 BCI's but a good bit heavier through the body. I'm thinking she should be on the same 10 day schedule the BCI's are? (They're over a year old now.)
For that matter, my young adult Dominicans are on/off about eating, one male in particular hasn't eaten in a couple months now. I'm thinking it's seasonal and they're more interested in breeding. The two females were both going strong while the males appetites fizzled out, but the largest has stopped altogether now, and is getting visibly larger in girth. I presume that's an indication she's pregnant. The other female is still eating weekly, apparently the only one of the group not breeding this season. Time will tell.

[dannybgoode]

Dumerils are very heavy bodied, even compared to a good sized Bci. They're substantial snakes so even though they tend to stay shorter than a Bci they'd be the same weight as adults of not heavier.

I handled one that was about the same length as my girl but a good 3-4 times heavier.

Can't comment on feeding schedule I'm afraid...

[Snakesitter]

^^ Totally nailed it with last sentence. So long as they eat and keep it down, everything else will sort out.

[Tsubaki]

A little late to the party, but very nice additions!! Dumerils are awesome snakes :D

[toddnbecka]

A little late to the party, but very nice additions!! Dumerils are awesome snakes :D

This one is quite reclusive, hardly ever comes out from under the warm hide, even at night. I often check on the snakes around 3-4 am, when the night prowlers are more active, and haven't seen her out cruising around. I did notice the mulch has sort of a track around the perimeter of the tank though, so she's been moving around sometime. She doesn't seem to mind being disturbed and/or handled, but like most she's happy enough to go back under cover (and away from contact) if given the choice.

[Tsubaki]

Ah yeah, i used to have a male like that. Burrowed 99% of the time, i buried a flat hide under the substrate with a slightly see through top, he spend most of his time under it so i didn't have to dig him out to check on him. :)

[toddnbecka]

I uncovered her and dropped in a young adult mouse tonight, She didn't move at all until it walked past her head, then she immediately grabbed it and coiled. Unlike the first feeding last week, she didn't spend a couple minutes looking over/around the dead mouse before eating. This one went right down as soon as she finished killing it. I figure she probably had a bigger appetite this week, and is settled in better now. I offered a f/t rat pink about 20 minutes later, hoping she'd take it while stil in "feeding mode", but aside from a couple defensive strikes when I dangled it in her face she didn't seem interested in it as food. Will try following the live with a f/t mouse next week.