Acrantophis Madagascariensis

[Strutter769]

Or Madagascan Ground Boa.....

Does anyone have any experience with these apparent gentle giants? I've found a large reptile "Superstore" that offers them online, but we all know the drawbacks of buying from such a place. I found one breeder in WI but she does not think they bred this year.

I can't find any breeders online, although in another forum there is a picture of one at the October Tinley Park show. The photographer doesn't remember who was offering it though.

I really want to get my hands on a pair of them. Can anyone shed some light on this for me please?

Thanks!!

Roy

[lady_bug87]

I've never heard of those before but I google image searched them they look really cool I hope you find a pair!!

[bladeblaster]

no more difficult to keep than a common boa, though can be picky feeders.

[Strutter769]

Aren't they beautiful? They're from more tropical parts of Madagascar than the Dumeril's. I'm not sure if I can refer you to a store's website on this forum, but the one I found available (for $950) is apparently pictured on the store's site, but the incredible orange markings on the sides actually makes me question the authenticity of the picture!

[snake man12]

I just saw one at the oaks reptile expo for 300

[Strutter769]

I just saw one at the oaks reptile expo for 300

Do you by chance remember who offered it, Snakeman?

[snake man12]

I think it was glades herp but i could have been harris in wonderland herps

[CDN_Blood]

I know these animals. They're awesome, but I'd be careful where I got one - not many people are keeping them and I'd get one from a private individual before a 'breeder'. They're easy enough to keep, but not long enough in captivity to be good feeders, generally.

[Strutter769]

I know these animals. They're awesome, but I'd be careful where I got one - not many people are keeping them and I'd get one from a private individual before a 'breeder'. They're easy enough to keep, but not long enough in captivity to be good feeders, generally.

Hey, thanks Blood. I know they haven't been in the pet trade for long, and now I've read a couple places they are finicky eaters. So, its *because* they haven't been made pets for long that they're not good eaters?

[Strutter769]

I think it was glades herp but i could have been harris in wonderland herps

Thanks Snake man. Someone else mentioned Glades also. I reached out to them only to learn they haven't had one "in quite a while." As for Wonderland, I'm on Fauna Classifieds now, reporting both mailboxes and voicemail are full..... on Black Friday.

The hunt continues!

Thanks again.

[stephanbakir]

While I'm not crazy about his husbandry regarding retics, or his overall attitude, Jay at prehistoric pets is selling a few STUNNING specimens.
His animals come at his prices... 750 each but for quality like this... If I wanted one I'd pay it, for their quality.http://prehistoricpets.com/images/828/0f753ac2b8bd441c10f12f152c9c5e0f.png?from=0x0&resize_to=800x0&size=1500x1046

[Strutter769]

That's the EXACT picture I was talking about. (I thought the site said $950?) I think I've seen every pic of these animals on the web, and NOT ONE has these beautiful orange markings! Since you mention attitude etc., do you think (as I do) it's possible this pic is photoshopped?

I sent him an email today asking for more pics. I'll let you know somethin' more when I do.

Thanks Stephan!

[Shmoges]

Ok so its a blood python? They come gentle? Lol everyone I have ever seen is a face eater :D

[Strutter769]

Ok so its a blood python? They come gentle? Lol everyone I have ever seen is a face eater :D

Blood Python? I'm not sure what you mean?

[CDN_Blood]

While some snakes adjusted well to being wild-caught captives, others have taken much longer to acclimatize to captivity. That's not the case with these, it's simply that they haven't been in captivity long enough.

I would think it's rare to find captive bred young of these, but that's all we have to work with since importing them is out of the question. 2nd generation captives will be better adjusted, and by the time the 3rd generation of captive-breds rolls off the shelves, they'll probably be well-adjusted animals with normal feeding habits.

[CDN_Blood]

...NOT ONE has these beautiful orange markings!

That image is as natural as Joan Rivers' face - it's been adjusted more than once.

They're not that colour, but more closely coloured like their cousins - Dumeril's Boas. Some may have some orangish-pink, but nowhere near what you see in that image.

[Strutter769]

Thanks for the clarification, Blood. I called them this evening and found the three males available were born there, I believe he said about 14 months ago, and are feeding well on live prey now. He hasn't tried to convert them to F/T yet.

And it's a Black Friday sale. Make them an offer and they'll work with you. So, who's willing to loan me about $800...... tonight?

C'mon people! We're not total strangers! We all post on the same forum! Isn't that enough trust for one little loan?! (: (In jest.... or is it?) Lol

[Strutter769]

That image is as natural as Joan Rivers' face - it's been adjusted more than once.

They're not that colour, but more closely coloured like their cousins - Dumeril's Boas. Some may have some orangish-pink, but nowhere near what you see in that image.

Which explains why I had to make a reasonable offer before getting more pics. Maybe next year I'll plan for their Black Friday sale.

He says they own a trio they didn't breed this year, so I'm hoping for more babies around this time next year....... If I don't own a pair by then!

[KORBIN5895]

I checked to see all his post and only this one showed.

[KORBIN5895]

Discard that flstfatboy one ..... wrong thread.

[Strutter769]

While I'm not crazy about his husbandry regarding retics, or his overall attitude, Jay at prehistoric pets is selling a few STUNNING specimens.
His animals come at his prices... 750 each but for quality like this... If I wanted one I'd pay it, for their quality.http://prehistoricpets.com/images/828/0f753ac2b8bd441c10f12f152c9c5e0f.png?from=0x0&resize_to=800x0&size=1500x1046

Well, the search continues. I did some research on the store and I think I'll wait for Boas & Balls to try and breed again next year. Seems P.P. is great for kids' parties though! If I'm ever in the "OC" with a kid who happens to have a birthday, maybe I'll write my own review..

Still looking for a private breeder, or someone coming to the Tinley Park show in March. All great advice so far! Let's keep it rollin'!

[millertime89]

Well, the search continues. I did some research on the store and I think I'll wait for Boas & Balls to try and breed again next year. Seems P.P. is great for kids' parties though! If I'm ever in the "OC" with a kid who happens to have a birthday, maybe I'll write my own review..

Still looking for a private breeder, or someone coming to the Tinley Park show in March. All great advice so far! Let's keep it rollin'!

I'm curious why you decided against P.P. I know Steven's objections but I also know there are many people that have bought from Jay and his animals are always stunning and he's got happy and loyal customers.

[Strutter769]

Really? I just Googled reviews for them and the "Google" reviews are TERRIBLE at best. Very bad comments on husbandry of all their reptiles. Caging, health, cleanliness... you name it, it got bad reviews. Snakes with mites (we all know, if one's got 'em, chances are they all do), dead animals in displays, thrown behind the counter. Just didn't paint a good picture overall. Especially trusting them when buying an animal "sight unseen." Just my thoughts. Check it out... I'd be interested in more opinions!

[stephanbakir]

I agree with you on that one, they do have stunning animals but I'd rather buy from someone I trust. Hes got dozens of snakes I want but I didn't even make 1 offer on black friday, I just don't trust them enough. I trust very few breeders out there.

[Strutter769]

I kinda feel bad. First and foremost, for the animals there (if all that I've read is true). Secondly, the guy I spoke with on the phone was pretty nice, didn't try to push anything on me. He just kinda had that "retailer on Black Friday" attitude. "You want it, I got it, pay for it" kind of thing. I don't fault him for that at all.

Business is business. I get that. But if I'm going to give you hundreds of dollars for an animal, you'd better have good reviews about your animals and care for them. A good reputation.. I.e. Dave Colling, Bryan Hummel... These guys are top-notch people, great reputations that are well-deserved, and great animals.

On the flip side, bad reviews are also usually well-deserved. IMHO

[millertime89]

You also have to take into consideration that a lot of people will post bad reviews as they feel they're warning others and doing a service. Very few people post good reviews.
Not standing up for them and their practices or anything, just trying to show you the other side of the coin. I'm also sure the person you spoke to on the phone thought you were just another person calling for a price. They know (as do all retailers) when someone is serious. If you were serious you would've made an offer and then they would've started talking.

[Strutter769]

Oh yeah, I get that. My background is customer service/hospitality. I know for every good experience you tell 3 people, and tell 50 about a bad one. All things considered though, it seemed the good reviews were from people who brought their kids, had a party, saw all the animals ($5 a head), etc... The bad ones were all from people that actually went to buy an animal.

Believe me, being in customer service, I never bash anyone, especially anyone I've never dealt with personally. But when I see such a pattern, red lights kinda start to flash, red flags raised... all that stuff.

And why are so many warning against "breeders?" When I use the term, I'm talking about trusted people.. like I said before, Dave Colling, Bryan Hummel, I'll work with that class of person any day. Is that what some are referring to as "private?" Are they not breeders? Who is the "Dave" or "Bryan" of the Madagascan Ground Boa? Lol

[millertime89]

Oh yeah, I get that. My background is customer service/hospitality. I know for every good experience you tell 3 people, and tell 50 about a bad one. All things considered though, it seemed the good reviews were from people who brought their kids, had a party, saw all the animals ($5 a head), etc... The bad ones were all from people that actually went to buy an animal.

Believe me, being in customer service, I never bash anyone, especially anyone I've never dealt with personally. But when I see such a pattern, red lights kinda start to flash, red flags raised... all that stuff.

And why are so many warning against "breeders?" When I use the term, I'm talking about trusted people.. like I said before, Dave Colling, Bryan Hummel, I'll work with that class of person any day. Is that what some are referring to as "private?" Are they not breeders? Who is the "Dave" or "Bryan" of the Madagascan Ground Boa? Lol

All right, just making sure you see both sides of it.
There are breeders like Dave and Bryan, and then there are the breeders that do it in their own house and don't care about the animals so much as the money and their set ups and equipment and quality of animals reflect that. Some people produce stunning, top notch animals on a regular basis and their prices reflect that. I would think that the breeders that people tell you to watch out for are the ones that are referred to as "private" but that's an assumption and may or may not be correct.

[exwizard]

MGBs are hard to come by. I have seen them online but they are very expensive (that depends on what you consider expensive). They're larger than dumeril's but genetically similar. We think its possible Black Betty is crossed with one which could explain her size. If you can pick one up you will have a very unique snake not a whole lot of people have.

[Strutter769]

So you all know I have a trio of these I'm really excited about, (See Efficus, Black Betty and and Maggie). Now, I'm on the wait list to get one of these this fall (mama is gravid now). The picture is compliments of Tom Prato. He calls this his "Sunburst" line. Now, don't any of you rush to him and jack up the prices on me! :sorry:

[Strutter769]

Drool!! :shocked:

[millertime89]

Wow! I've never seen a Dum with white markings on its back like that! It really makes his dorsal pattern POP!

[shaunyboy]

While I'm not crazy about his husbandry regarding retics, or his overall attitude, Jay at prehistoric pets is selling a few STUNNING specimens.
His animals come at his prices... 750 each but for quality like this... If I wanted one I'd pay it, for their quality.http://prehistoricpets.com/images/828/0f753ac2b8bd441c10f12f152c9c5e0f.png?from=0x0&resize_to=800x0&size=1500x1046

thats an amazing looking snake mate

the colours and pattern are beautifull,i really like the look of this guy

cheers shaun

[Strutter769]

Wow! I've never seen a Dum with white markings on its back like that! It really makes his dorsal pattern POP!

Not a Dum, my friend, that's Acrantophis Dumerilis. Same island, different boa. The one with the white spots is a "Sunurst." I'm hoping to have one or two soon.

[millertime89]

Ah my bad, dunno why I thought that, I see the scientific name up top. Derp.
Madagascan Ground Boa, still stunning.