Dumerils boa information please C:

[It'sKourtneyYo]

So I think I'm going to go with the Dumerils Boa.
They seem to fit the type of snake I want and I've never had one before. I really do want a red tail but they get too big and I have bunnies. lol
I'd like to chat with anyone who has a Dumeril and see how their experience is with these guys.
Any advice or suggestions or just talking about the pros and cons or how awesome they are is welcome C:

[alessia55]

Here are a few threads about them that have info on them :)

This one (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-boa-forum/88878-planning.html) is about dumeril boas vs rosy boas and their differences, and has a few pics.

This one (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/boa-constrictor/85075-all-dumeril-boa-lovers.html) is about dumeril boa breeding and has a link to a good article.

General info...
- they get about 6-7 ft as adults, but some females can get larger
- adult dumerils will feed on very large rats or rabbits, depending on how big yours gets

And I found this about dumeril boas vs red tail boas...
Comparison Between Dumeril's and Red-Tail Boas

The past five years I have been specializing in breeding Dumeril's Boas. Throughout this time I have come across a lot of what I consider to be misinformation. A lot of people consider the husbandry practices for Colombian Boas (Boa Constrictor Imperator) or the True Red Tail Boas (Boa Constrictor Constrictor) the same as the care for Dumeril's. Stated in the book, "The Living Boas", " In captivity the boa is kept much like the red-tailed boa…"(Wells 46) However I do not believe they are anywhere close.
Comparison Between The Two Species
Dumeril's Boas are between 12-18 inches upon birth, whereas Colombians are about 12-20. Dumeril's will start shedding about an hour after birth for their first time and may also take their first meal the day they are born. One female that I produced in 1999 ate for the first time 8 hours after birth, she was the largest of the litter at about 18-20 inches. Colombians take about 7-14 days to shed and start eating. Litter sizes in Dumeril's can range from 6-22, averaging 12 with the largest I know being 28, as compared to Colombians whose average is about 25 neonates.
In their natural habitat, Dumeril's are ambush predators that are often found lying under leaves or in rock outcroppings, for extended periods of time, waiting for prey. Colombians are more active predators that track their prey by scent and scaling trees in search of food In comparison, Dumeril's are not known to climb trees. Both species are nocturnal, however, Colombians boas will normally accept meals during the day and Dumeril's will normally refuse day feedings until a year or so of age.
Dumeril's overall are a much more inactive snake than Colombians, spending much of their time laying in the cooler rock formations or underbrush to avoid the intense heat of the sun in the desert climate. Coming from a tropical area, Colombians are provided with protection from the elements by the forest canopy.
Also the rainfall varies between climates the two species come from. Dumeril's, coming from a desert like climate, receive very little rainfall and must be able to withstand long periods of drought. Colombians coming from a tropical environment, receive regular rainfall.
This is the source. (http://dumerils.com.tripod.com/id1.html)

I'm sure some members on here who have dums will chime in and tell you more :)

[It'sKourtneyYo]

Why thank you, you are very helpful C:

[It'sKourtneyYo]

And I was reading the first one a little while ago, how ironic. lol

[exwizard]

General info...
- they get about 6-7 ft as adults, but some females can get larger
- adult dumerils will feed on very large rats or rabbits, depending on how big yours gets

I'm sure some members on here who have dums will chime in and tell you more :)

It is true that most Dums will get to be about 6' and that some females can get bigger. Popeye, our '02 male is only 5 1/2' long whereas Black Betty is much bigger than that. (Btw, I will be doing her profile when I can get a good pic) Even Lulu was about 7' long when we had her. The above comparisons with Columbians are accurate and their docility is comparable with Columbians as well. All 7 of my Dums are very tame and they are a joy to handle every time.

[It'sKourtneyYo]

Thats awesome. It's making me excited about getting mine :D
And the fact that it;s still a baby is even more exciting because I get to watch him/her grow >.<

[Rogue628]

You'll be watching a really slow growth. From what I understand they're slow growers. As I mentioned before I got my 2 girls when they were already 4-5 ft. They're really great. At first these two were a little shy (one was really shy) but after being with me and getting handled (and fed right....they were a little lean when I rescued them) daily, they've started becoming more active. They're curious creatures. Will always poke their heads out of their hides to see who's walking in front of them and will now meet me when I lift their lids if they're not asleep.

This is my first experience with the dumerils too and I really enjoy them. Even with my limited experience with them, I think they make great first pets.

[It'sKourtneyYo]

Awe swweet, I like the fact that they are slow growers honestly. It puts me at ease and I'm sure it will do the same for my grandma. not that I have a problem with big snakes, just no experience.

[Rogue628]

If you have little to no experience, a dumeril will be great for you, I think. If you were closer to where I live, I'd invite you to come see my girls. All of them lol But you're like 8hrs away lol

[It'sKourtneyYo]

I have some experience with snakes. I've only had a ribbon snake, ball python, cornsnake and a jungle carpet python though. I plan on expanding my experience as much as possible. I'm not sure if I'll be doing anything with hots though. That would make me nervous and I'm sure they'd be able to sense that but you never know in a couple years things might change! but if I were to get a hot it would have to be a bush viper. They are so pretty but then again I don't really know much about them.

[Rogue628]

Their disposition is probably closer to a ball pythons, although I don't have any experience with the ones you've listed. They're a little more active and can be more curious.

The advice I was given when I knew I was going to rescue my girls is to make sure you feed with tongs as they can have a hard hit. They're hard quick hitters, that's for sure. Other than that, they're really easy to maintain and have really good temperments, dispositions, etc. Neither of mine have missed a meal yet even in shed. And despite their previous care, there's no aggression or grumpiness from them.

[It'sKourtneyYo]

sweet. I'm really excited about getting mine. If it's a girl I think I'm going to name her Jade. not sure why I just like the name.

[CDN_Blood]

I find their dispositions very similar to Boa constrictors - they're usually quite docile, but don't let that fool you 'cause if they do mistake you for food sometime, they're a powerful constrictor and can do some serious damage, just like any larger boid.

Every Dumeril's I know and have spent time with flinches quite a bit when you first pick it-up, and that's saying quite a bit considering I have Bloods, lol. The flinching is only a reaction and it doesn't last long, but I routinely play with 6 of these and they're all the same in that aspect.

I can't agree with slow-growing, though. I've seen these things grow like bad weeds and by 7 feet by 4 years old (see attached).

One thing I'm not sure about is how easy they are to feed as they get larger. I know the 7 footers that I play with will *not* take rabbits or guinea pigs, but will only accept rats, and it takes a number of rats to satisfy the belly of a larger snake.

This is 1 of 6 that a friend has. I get to play with them often and I've been fortunate to see them maturing over the past 4 years. This one is 4 years old and she's about 15 pounds in this image. She's always a pleasure to handle, even though you can't see the smile on my face in the image :)
http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb347/CDN_Blood/IMG_1556.jpg

[millertime89]

no but you can see your mustache!

[snake man12]

My dum is the sweetest snake I own He is not even head shy.
But he did hiss at me when he was getting a bath because he was shedding.
Mine doesn't flinch at all, but every snake is different

[It'sKourtneyYo]

Thanks for letting me know that Todd! Thats something I'll deffinately keep in mind!

[It'sKourtneyYo]

Have yall ever heard a ball python hiss before?
Way back when I had Kalypso, my ball python, my neighbor found one in their back yard, I'm not sure how it go there. And she wouldn't eat or anything and whenever I'd bring her out to try and feed her it sounded like she was hissing!

[millertime89]

mine hissed at me while I was rubbing him in a damp hand towel to try and remove some shed.

[Rogue628]

I've had several ball pythons and have never heard one hiss. But I also have a nerve deafness so I really have no clue if I've been hissed at. Probably a good thing.....it may have made me hesitant with them when I first starting keeping snakes lol.

[CDN_Blood]

no but you can see your mustache!

HAHAha! I never even noticed that! Crazy snakes :P

[CDN_Blood]

Have yall ever heard a ball python hiss before?


I've never heard a Royal hiss, but I've heard of them doing it. When I do hear of snakes hissing, I always wonder if it's a real hiss or a fast exhale that the keepers are actually hearing.

When a snake hisses, it's a serious threat - mouth open, threatening posture, breathing tube wide open and *very* conspicuous, and it's surprisingly loud.

I looked after an Ex's Boa constrictor for a few months for and that snake absolutely hated men...all men. I recall entering the apartment building I was living in at the time and and going up the stairs (lived on 2nd floor) and I could hear that Boa hissing at my roommate from the stairwell, even though our apartment was in the middle of the building and the stairs were at either end.

They put a lot of effort in to a serious hiss - it's their last defence before striking, so they make it count and you'll know it when you see or hear it.

Bloods will often huff 'n puff, but that's nothing compared to a results-oriented hiss, trust me :cool:

[KORBIN5895]

Maybe it was an RI?

[It'sKourtneyYo]

Maybe it was an RI?


It might have been!
I didn't really know much about snakes at the time or infections but she died like a month or 2 after having her. Poor girl :/

[millertime89]

I've never heard a Royal hiss, but I've heard of them doing it. When I do hear of snakes hissing, I always wonder if it's a real hiss or a fast exhale that the keepers are actually hearing.

When a snake hisses, it's a serious threat - mouth open, threatening posture, breathing tube wide open and *very* conspicuous, and it's surprisingly loud.

pretty sure mine was a hiss, no open mouth though, but he was really agitated, but I got that shed off.
I held a jungle carpet that was hissing the entire time he was out, but the keeper said if he was out, he was hissing, even if he was totally calm, just chalked that up to the snake's personality, awesome snake.

[lady_bug87]

when i bought my baby bullsnake the guy at the store pulled her out and suddenly she started rattling her tail and had her mouth wide open such a hiss from such a little thing

she hasnt hissed since I brought her home, I had to assist her in shedding yesterday and she was very content to feed through my hands after a bath and very curious shes soo sweet

[alessia55]

The only time I've heard one of my snakes hiss was when the cat wanted to sniff him LOL. The cat got the message fast :p

[millertime89]

lol, both of my cats have met both of my snakes, and they don't really care one way or the other, casper was interested in Nero but walked away shortly after giving him a curious sniff, he seemed afraid of Tubs.

[It'sKourtneyYo]

Hahahah! Thats so cute >.<

[ZARADOZIA]

My Kittens want to love on Sasha and Fritz has a healthy respectful fear of her. Fritz catches snakes so he knows what she is, the kittens are not allowed outside so Sasha is the only interaction they have had with snakes, they see her as a part of the family.

[theapexgerman]

when i bought my baby bullsnake the guy at the store pulled her out and suddenly she started rattling her tail and had her mouth wide open such a hiss from such a little thing

she hasnt hissed since I brought her home, I had to assist her in shedding yesterday and she was very content to feed through my hands after a bath and very curious shes soo sweet

my bull snake is bought 4 feet long and is mean as hell but he's wild caught but he wasn't that old when i saw him crossing the road down a few streets all he does is hiss and bite

[lady_bug87]

mine gives the odd tail rattle when we disturb her from her hides but other than that she's never bitten me or my husband and I had to help her shed on her first shed with us and she let me help her out of her skin

[theapexgerman]

yea in AZ they mimic the rattle snake's but ive seen a few that well never calm down but there known for being grumpy and mean lol