New with questions about breeding boas

[samps79]

Hi. I am new to the forum so hello to you all! I have two snakes, a ball python that's only about 18inchs and a boa of just under three feet. I also keep ducks and chickens as well as a cat and dog. I got both snakes in September's this year so they are only young still. I posted earlier but for some reason this has not come up.

My good friend has two big burms so am used to bigger snakes husbandry requirements, but I am after some advice about future breeding of my boa. Neither of us has any experience of breeding. My boa (Brian) is a pastel 66% het pink panther and wondered what morph of boa would be best to breed him with for the best offspring. I know he is a long time off breeding but was looking at getting another snake in the near future so thought about a female boa, which led me to think of this.

This is not something that I am going to rush into, bit am seriously considering. I have the room, time and means to pursue this so any advice would be great.

[KORBIN5895]

Well I would purchase a female visual pink panther. That way you can prove out the males het or not. Also if your male is three feet long he will breed next season.

[samps79]

I thought that he would have to be 3 or so before he could bread? Does het mean his non visible gene trait? I bought him as he looks gorgeous and after he has shed has pink down the side of his lower jaw and a lovely shimmer in his scales. I have photos but they don't do him justice.

[KORBIN5895]

I thought that he would have to be 3 or so before he could bread? Does het mean his non visible gene trait? I bought him as he looks gorgeous and after he has shed has pink down the side of his lower jaw and a lovely shimmer in his scales. I have photos but they don't do him justice.

A male can breed between 18-24 months. A female should wait til she is three.

Het means it is carrying a recessive gene but it isn't visual. He is only 66% het pink panther so both parents are hets. So yours isn't a guaranteed het.

[samps79]

I get you. Thanks for that. That makes sense.

[KORBIN5895]

I get you. Thanks for that. That makes sense.

Contrary to popular belief I do make sense occasionally.;)

Any other questions just fire away.

[samps79]

If I can see a pink blush down the side of his face and flank, does this make him a 100%?Could the dealer have got it wrong? His sides definitely have a blush, that is noticeable against his caramel coloured body. He also has brown square saddles as opposed to the more normal kind. When I move him in the light his scales have an iridescent shimmer to them. I'm thinking of taking him back so that the guy in the shop can look again. To be honest, I'm not that bothered if I was just going to have him, as to me he is perfect and could not be happier. It's only as I'm thinking about getting a female to breed with him that I am so curious.

[KORBIN5895]

There are very few boa morph hets that can be visually identified.

[SnakeyJay]

A lot of normal boa's show pink down the sides, this doesn't mean he's a 100%... You have a 2 in 3 chance of him being a het. I've never seen/heard of a pink panther bci tho, I'll have to look it up lol

[samps79]

Any info you can share will be great. It may just be me, but have tried searching and I am not getting the info I'm after. That's one of the reasons I came to the forum.

[KORBIN5895]

It's a line bred pastel visual vpi t+ albino.

[samps79]

Thanks for being so helpful. Can you explain that though. I'm such a noob to understanding all the terminology. I have heard the terms but making sense of them is where I get lost. Although I do understand het now.

[KORBIN5895]

Okay. Vpi is a breeder. They were the first to breed out t+ albinos ( t+ means tyrosinase positive) which are a caramel color.

A pastel is a line bred color trait.

In the pink panther it is a pastel t+ albino....... I think.

I will have to double check later.

[samps79]

Thanks for your help on this.

[Jendee]

ya korbin is right lol he does make sense lol

a lot of people think pink panther vpis is a different morph..its not..its the pastel line of vpi t positive and good selective breeding. which is probably why your boa is so pink not bc he definitely carries the vpi trait but bc of the pastel infused in his genetics. a lot of hets aren't at all identifiable but some people do think they have the eye..some are dead winners some you have no freakin clue until you breed them. Ive been pretty successful at picking hets out for bwc, vpis and leopards as far as that goes its a guessing game its usually best to get 100% het or a visual
and bc he is 66% you need to prove him out with a visual or a 100% het...but if I were you I would find a visual. which will run you 1-2k. if your looking to breed sooner you'd need an adult which will take you easily to 4 k lol you've "started" your breeding adventures with one of the most expensive lines out there lol whoed you get him from id love to see pictures??

[KORBIN5895]

I need a male pink panther t+ for my seem trade right now so I've been looking. I am really surprised with how many people are selling ugly normals as het pp t+.

[Jendee]

I need a male pink panther t+ for my seem trade right now so I've been looking. I am really surprised with how many people are selling ugly normals as het pp t+.


Lmfao my biggest gripe to this day..^^^^ I wanna send a pm to every PP ad I see..."really?really dude?" lol epic

[KORBIN5895]

Have you ever heard of a white smoke boa?

[Jendee]

no I haven't....sounds like a "i'm gonna tag a name on my new litter and try and be famous morph"

[KORBIN5895]

Okay. I have seen a couple of them offered but no one can explain them genetically. I have a local that claims to have one but he isn't able to explain the genetics.

[Jendee]

lol...ya I get around any new proven genes a hear about it breaking news same day front and center lol and most new claimed morphs are false or some breeder hoping lol if they haven't proven it over several generations to be something new and different from anything else out there it's a not a new morph. anybody serious would have done their research and kept records as well...kept all the babies bred son back to mom ect
people claiming new stuff happens all the time even the big boys do it lols

[samps79]

This was the day I got him, so this was about 4 months ago. He has grown a lot since but need to sort out latest pictures. His colour is best just after a shed. This does not do him justice really and his pink has come out more as he has got older, but should give you an idea. Apparently he was bred by Bob Clark. I love him anyway so whatever he is not a big issue, just interested in breeding him and wanted to breed him with the best snake I can. Looks like it could be pricey tho! Ouch!

[Jendee]

to me..he looks as tho he's prove plus he looks like a super. I think you do have something special..he's a hot snake. bob doesn't normally do boas so I'd say u have a nice snag

[KORBIN5895]

Actually Bob doesn't do boas period. He buys them to resell. I have a $2000 credit with him and its harsh because he has nothing I want.

[Jendee]

oh well, I think the op should find out who produced his boa. regarding ur credit couldn't u get it in python sell it then get the cash

[KORBIN5895]

Yeah but his pythons are pricey.

[samps79]

That's cool! Pleased you like him. Would you still breed him with a visual? Also, are you talking in $ or £ for the price of a visual? Thanks, Scott. :)

[KORBIN5895]

Bob Clark has a female visual for $2500.

[samps79]

Thanks. I will check it out later. Coming on to this forum has been really usefully. You guys sure know your stuff.

[KORBIN5895]

I just fake it.

[samps79]

Here are some more pics. I need a better camera, but they should come out ok. :)

[Jendee]

I'd bet money that he's a super hypo....if u can find out if both parents carried the hypo gene

[KORBIN5895]

Wait. When did he become a hypo?

[Jendee]

and im positive a super at that which means all his pthat is not a pastel lol its a hypo...was he told it was a pastel now I need to read the og post but ya definite hypo
and a super at that which means if vpi is proven all the babies will come out sunglow....

[samps79]

Even more confused now lol! Ehh?

[Jendee]

that's not a normal boa, you have a hypo and a porbable super hypo where did you get this boa again I find it weird that you got it from bob clark yet you don't know what morph it is lols did he come with paperwork at all??

[KORBIN5895]

and im positive a super at that which means all his pthat is not a pastel lol its a hypo...was he told it was a pastel now I need to read the og post but ya definite hypo
and a super at that which means if vpi is proven all the babies will come out sunglow....

Just to clarify you will only get sunglows if he is bred to a t+ or het t+ female.

[Jendee]

yes hell get t positive sunglows

[Jendee]

if his boa proves out his 66% gene this is what youll make
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg283/cpblsoup/sunglowjungletpositive.jpg
this is a vpi t positive sunglow jungle...lol minus the jungle gene this is what youll make
but if your miss informed about the visual gene, then are you for sure its a 66% het??

[samps79]

Here's the story. My mate has two burms which I love and he needed to get 6 ft vivs so he said I could have his old 4x2x2 set up and all the kit and I just needed to buy the snake. I opted for a boa. I went down to the shop with my mate and he said pick a boa you like from a selection that was brought out and I picked this one. My mate done a deal with the owner as he gets all his stuff there and spends loads. He bought it for my birthday for £150 (I don't know what that is in dollars). The shop owner said he had just come back from a trip to Germany where he brought a load of snakes back and that this one was bred/sold by Bob Clark. I still have the tub he came in with the info sticker on it. He did make a comment that I had a special snake and that it was worth a lot more than he gave it to me for. I have only really got interested recently in all the breeds/strains/morphs. I picked him as a thought he had a happy face and was pretty (soft I know).

[lady_bug87]

if his boa proves out his 66% gene this is what youll make
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg283/cpblsoup/sunglowjungletpositive.jpg
this is a vpi t positive sunglow jungle...lol minus the jungle gene this is what youll make
but if your miss informed about the visual gene, then are you for sure its a 66% het??


beautiful animal, I love the jungle gene

[samps79]

That's a nice looking snake!

[Jendee]

Here's the story. My mate has two burms which I love and he needed to get 6 ft vivs so he said I could have his old 4x2x2 set up and all the kit and I just needed to buy the snake. I opted for a boa. I went down to the shop with my mate and he said pick a boa you like from a selection that was brought out and I picked this one. My mate done a deal with the owner as he gets all his stuff there and spends loads. He bought it for my birthday for £150 (I don't know what that is in dollars). The shop owner said he had just come back from a trip to Germany where he brought a load of snakes back and that this one was bred/sold by Bob Clark. I still have the tub he came in with the info sticker on it. He did make a comment that I had a special snake and that it was worth a lot more than he gave it to me for. I have only really got interested recently in all the breeds/strains/morphs. I picked him as a thought he had a happy face and was pretty (soft I know).

bob is my neighbor tho, and he is a python breeder..i have seen him with boas but he was trying to pawn them off at a show because he couldn't get them to breed lol
I would contact Bob Clark directly and see if he has any connection to this snake. tell him how you got him and such.
You definitely need to get a female to prove him out, if you were informed correctly and he proves the animals he will produce will be top notch!!

[samps79]

Cheers Jen. I will send him an email with the info I have.

[Jendee]

well..you've got a hypo which is worth more. someone made an error that you benefited from hahaha

[samps79]

No complaints from me! I love Brian even more now!

Scott. :) :)

[KORBIN5895]

bob is my neighbor tho, and he is a python breeder..i have seen him with boas but he was trying to pawn them off at a show because he couldn't get them to breed lol
I would contact Bob Clark directly and see if he has any connection to this snake. tell him how you got him and such.
You definitely need to get a female to prove him out, if you were informed correctly and he proves the animals he will produce will be top notch!!

I know Bob was just over there and left most if not all of his boas. He buys select babies in the spring and liters per our phone convo.

well..you've got a hypo which is worth more. someone made an error that you benefited from hahaha

He paid top dollar for a hypo no hets if it doesn't prove out.

[Jendee]

how much is 150 in the us??

[Corey209]

how much is 150 in the us??

243.79 US dollars

[Jendee]

oh well that's a deal still that guys is a hottie

[samps79]

Right then guys! Name the snake I should be looking for to breed with Brian in your final opinion and then I will take this to the shop where I got him and have a chat with with him about getting the right female. Thanks so much for your help and interest. Scott.

[Aaron_S]

Right then guys! Name the snake I should be looking for to breed with Brian in your final opinion and then I will take this to the shop where I got him and have a chat with with him about getting the right female. Thanks so much for your help and interest. Scott.

All you need is an albino. A VPI t+ albino would be the one if I followed to the thread correctly.

[Jendee]

yup a vpi t pos albino, or a 100% het vpi T pos albino

[Aaron_S]

yup a vpi t pos albino, or a 100% het vpi T pos albino

I know with boas you have a larger pool to prove out genes but with a poss het I'd say the visual is best to go with. At the very least, in the end, you KNOW the babies are all 100% het.

[KORBIN5895]

I say get an actual visual t+. It doesn't have to be a vpi but skip the hets as you really never know if a het is 100% unless you know the breeder well.

[Jendee]

the boa does have to be vpi line it's not proven that the different T positive lines are compatible. and not everyone can afford a visual R positive they average between 1k to 1k so is u get 100% go to a reputable breeder (I know several) and make sure you get paper work with her. paperwork is always a must so u can take it to the boi if something was mislead and get ur money back. you will get visual babies and 66% era but vpi is so popular they will sell fast regardless

[Aaron_S]

the boa does have to be vpi line it's not proven that the different T positive lines are compatible. and not everyone can afford a visual R positive they average between 1k to 1k so is u get 100% go to a reputable breeder (I know several) and make sure you get paper work with her. paperwork is always a must so u can take it to the boi if something was mislead and get ur money back. you will get visual babies and 66% era but vpi is so popular they will sell fast regardless

Paperwork is ONLY as good as the person who gave it to you. I can write paperwork for that animal.

Personally, I'd find the money for the visual. For a female it's WELL worth the investment.Especially if you plan to breed more down the line.

[KORBIN5895]

I thought vpi was compatible with t+.

[Jendee]

no they are all different, paperwork is like a signed contract u could use in court if u wanted to. I built my business off of hets. i'm far from rich and have never been disappointed with a said het. it's all on who u go to. without reputation you don't have a business. so no fulltime breeder wants to burn their rep. don't buy from a store or a hobbiest find a breeder.

[Aaron_S]

no they are all different, paperwork is like a signed contract u could use in court if u wanted to. I built my business off of hets. i'm far from rich and have never been disappointed with a said het. it's all on who u go to. without reputation you don't have a business. so no fulltime breeder wants to burn their rep. don't buy from a store or a hobbiest find a breeder.


I agree about the reputation but literally paperwork doesn't mean squat. You can take someone to court with that paperwork but who's to say they pay up? Or you can even FIND them in the first place.

I personally buy from people who I know are legit, just as you said. :)

[samps79]

I have emailed Bob so will hopefully get a reply in the near future. In the mean time I am looking into buying a VPI T + albino visual with my friend. Thanks for your help everyone. I will keep you updated. Scott.

[Jendee]

try and find a 2011 or older if brain gets reached her size or happens to be bigger she may not take always want the male to be a couple feet smaller than the female he is riding

[samps79]

Ok, will do. Cheers Jen. Do you know anything about Ball Pythons, but this probably is not specific to ball pythons? My one has a sore on its head that is dry and shallow but does not seem to heal even after she has shed. She has shed three times since the sore has appeared. it was just a blemish originally. Do you think this is anything to worry about? I have got munkuna honey to put on Bonnie's head as this has been recommended to me. She eats, poos and sheds fine and is happy to be handled. Temp and humidity is all ok.

[Jendee]

if it was awhile ago then it's on the mend, just watched for raised bumps on the nose they sometimes come with the nose rub. other than that it won't be noticeable after a few more sheds

[samps79]

That's good to hear. I will keep a close eye on her. Thanks. Scott