Hello all...
I have had boa constictors in the past, and currently have two female boas, both still young. I had an "experience" today which has left me more than a little bit angry and I would like to have this cleared up by people who BREED boa constrictors.
Here's what happened... I took my two female common Columbian Boa Constrictors to a local "reptile pet fair." I was selling one, and the other is my beloved pet, Sheila.
I was TOLD they were BOTH this years babies, though the one I was selling was a bit younger than Sheila. Sheila is maybe 2 - 2 1/2 feet long, I am really bad with judging sizes. A fellow vendor and someone I had considered a "friend" BEFORE this, saw Sheila and said she looks a few years old and that she is almost the same size as one of HER boas who is about 2 1/2 years old. I told her that Sheila was THIS year's baby and growing like a weed. She argued with me vehemently saying that I was wrong... I didn't know what I was talking about.... and I decided to ask two OTHER vendors at the show who I KNEW bred and raised boas, who both agreed that Sheila was a healthy looking 6 month old boa. This person got EXTREMELY angry and her last parting shot was that I was powerfeeding her and it was OBVIOUS because NO boa grows to 3 feet in less than a year!
Needless to say this whole encounter left me upset. So..... I would like to ask the people on this forum who have years of experience with boas...
How much will a NORMAL female columbian Boa Constrictor grow in the FIRST YEAR? (I have read and have been told that they can grow several feet in their first year or so, then slow down after that)
Is feeding ONE medium sized rat once every 7 - 10 days too much? (I usually wait until she has deficated before offering her food)
I have been told that a snake that has been power fed will have a VERY small head compared to it's body.... is this true? And how big a difference would this be?
I'm sorry for going on like this... but I want to make CERTAIN that I am NOT powerfeeding my snakes (I don't believe I am) and that the size Sheila is ... is NORMAL for a boa her age. If there is a problem, then I need/want to know NOW so that I can change.
Thank you ...
Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~
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