mewbie to boa`s

ilovemypets1988 · 03-09-11, 06:26 AM

hi all, ive been keeping corns for a while now and i have decided to get a boa, so i went looking and found 1, its a common x red tail (owner thinks its just a common though, but hes been told otherwise), the only thing is, i have a limited knowledge to do with these snakes.
luckily though, i have until the 23rd to do my research, so i was wondering if any of you could help me with this.
all i really need to know is the basics and how to keep it "happy" in its home.
the snakes itself is 1 yrs old and 3 foot long, so how big do u think it will get (estimations please).
what i do know and have written down is that they are best kept with a ceramic bulb,
they need a basking temp of 32 - 35c and an ambient temp of between 28 - 30c,
they need a forest type habitat - branches to climb on, bark/wood chip substrate, bark hides, plenty of foliage, e.t.c.
any help would be greatful thank you

Lankyrob · 03-09-11, 07:06 AM

Welcome, good you are doing your research before picking the snake up - your best bet is probably Jendee who will be along later, she breeds boa's so can give you all the info you need.

Dont forget to post some pics when you get the snake!

Jendee · 03-09-11, 10:40 AM

Boas get anywhere from 5 ft to the rare giants of 10 ft. I would say you'll run across more at 7 ft though. You don't need a bulb of any type they do best with UTH. Aspen is the best substrate for them, although I have seen people use wood chips. Boas aren't real arboreal, they are ground dwelling so branches aren't a must as well but are pleasing for the owner to have. If I only had one boa Id dress up their cage pretty neat myself, but that kinda stops at 5 and when you get to 20 they have a frozen food empty box for a hide a water bowl and some aspen lmao

congrats on your new boa

ilovemypets1988 · 03-09-11, 12:47 PM

thanx, i will defo put up pics when ive recieved him, im so excited about getting the boa, im definatley gunna use beech chips as i will be ordering 15kg sack of the stuff and also a stupid question but whats a UTH.

mld · 03-09-11, 12:51 PM

Under the tank Heater

ilovemypets1988 · 03-09-11, 03:04 PM

ah ok, a heat mat lol and thank you for clearing that up

ilovemypets1988 · 03-10-11, 02:55 PM

ok guys, the seller was happy enough for me to have pictures of the boa that im getting on the 23rd, so here we are and enjoy:

hope you all enjoyed

Jendee · 03-10-11, 03:10 PM

very nice!! what kind of cross did you say
?? I'd like to think that boa has some Central American in him.
I bet your excited!!

ilovemypets1988 · 03-10-11, 03:18 PM

hes suppose to be a common x red tail, but any suggestions to what he is could be helpful lol and yh im very excited, going to see him on sunday

mld · 03-10-11, 03:46 PM

Beautiful boy, love his speckles!

ilovemypets1988 · 03-13-11, 09:54 PM

just an update on the boa front,
i have been to see the boa today and ive put a deposit on him, he is a gawjus snake and really cant wait to get my hands on him properly as i didnte really get the chance today as hes in shed, i still went as im totally dedicated to reptiles.

im also wondering if an AHS would be any good as i will be building him an arboreal viv when hes bigger and would prefer to use 1 than a mat or anything of a similar nature.

Glasgow Corns · 03-14-11, 04:11 AM

your boa more than likely need such a big enclosure to require an AHS, also if one part breaks down it is expensive enough to replace he whole thing , best sticking with bulb or ceramic and appropriate stat, also Mats are a major no for any large bodied snake the risks of thermal blocking are too great.

ilovemypets1988 · 03-14-11, 04:53 AM

yh i know, the process in which something blocks heat from escaping cause an over heat and risks that surround such a thing, yh i know, ive done fire courses

sassy_snake_lady · 03-14-11, 04:13 PM

Hi sweetie. Are you on another fourm at all because I am quite certain I have seen these boa photos eleswhere?

Hee hee dont worry Im not going to stalk you its just I know I have seen the boa before.

Dave69 · 03-14-11, 04:36 PM

i have seen them before too, nice looking boa.
looking at the saddles, i wouldnt be surprised if there is BCC in there, but not a huge influence.
I am surprised your fire training course covered thermal blocking, when i trained at the fire fighting school, they never mentioned it!!
Heat mats are a bad idea, ceramics are good, and bulbs work well too, both must be statted though, a dimmer for the bulbs, and a pulse or dimmer for the ceramic.
AHS heaters are good, and have a built in stat, but arent cheap, plus, i run mine of a second stat anyway just to be on the safe side.
You need to be careful where you research, having seen some of your other posts, the info you are getting is wrong, you are better off asking people who have kept for years, and have the knowledge you need.