columbian boa arrival

LORI34205 · 10-12-03, 09:46 PM

I am getting a columbian boa asap and i have read on several care sheets the temps to keep the hot spot and gradient but, my mom hates snakes to death and will only let me keep it outside I have a cage constructed in all im just worried about temps.I live in bradenton florida and it gets mighty warm down here in summer.he will be in the shade at all times but im worried it will be to warm for him.Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated thankyou.

Jeff_Favelle · 10-12-03, 09:59 PM

Don't get a snake until you have the means to keep it properly. No need to be cruel just because you WANT something.

Zoe · 10-12-03, 10:10 PM

Ditto what Jeff said. Unless you can have a proper, controlled environment (INDOORS. You live in Florida, NOT South America!), don't keep a snake. Simple as pie.

Zoe

Invictus · 10-13-03, 10:43 AM

I agree with Zoe and Jeff. Do not get the snake if you cannot keep it indoors.

LORI34205 · 10-13-03, 07:50 PM

well im doin it,i checked temps today and it was 97 degrees outside in direct sun today, that is one of the hottest days we will have in a summer and in the enclosure the temps did not break 90,and with a very large rubbermaid to soak in he will be plenty cool enough.My friend has a columbian boa in the same conditions and has had him in the same enclose outside for 8 years now. and throws a heating pad on him in winter and hes fine.Thankyou for all your opinions but im gonna have to go with the snake anyway. Seems how this is mainly a canadian sight it is probly kind of hard for most of you to tell how close we are to the water and how the temps are for a snake.He will be in a 4x8x5 custom built enclosure.BTW a columbian red tail boa a columbian boa and a red tail boa are all the same snake am i correct?I have read on the but it is confusing,are they all boa constrictor imperator?
thankyou everyone

ohh_kristina · 10-13-03, 07:54 PM

I live in florida as well and there is NO way i would keep one of my snakes out doors. First of all, there is a cold front moving through sometime next week. You'll have to deal with that all winter. It is not suitable for a snake!! Plus, there are ticks and mites outside. You don't want your snake exposed to that. Do NOT get this snake unless you are completely able to house and care for it properly. A female colombian boa can get upwards to 8 feet long, are you prepared for that? They are great snakes and I would recommend them, but only if you can keep it in a controlled environment.

Invictus · 10-13-03, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LORI34205
Seems how this is mainly a canadian sight it is probly kind of hard for most of you to tell how close we are to the water and how the temps are for a snake.

Oh, I see, so because we're Canadian, we have no idea what 97 degrees is like? How ignorant can you be? I live in Calgary, which is right next to the mountains, and we get fairly mild summers up here, but we still hit 100 + during late August! So don't assume that our recommendation is because we Canadians have a hard time knowing what 97 degrees is like or what it's like to be close to water. The bottom line is, Florida still gets storms. Your snake will also be exposed to ticks, mites, and all kinds of other nasties being outside. THAT is why we are recommending against it.

Zoe · 10-13-03, 08:27 PM

UOTE]well im doin it[/QUOTE]
Then IMO, you're just stupid. I hate to insult people, but you're going against advice and obvious common sense and planning on putting a snake in danger. That is stupid.

Quote:

enclosure the temps did not break 90

The snake should have a high side of almost that temp all the time... what happens on the COLDEST day of winter??? What do you plan to do then? And how do you think this snake will thermoregulate... or do you WANT to clean up regurgitated meals all the time and deal with a sick, dehydrated snake that will probably have mites and parasites.

Quote:

Seems how this is mainly a canadian sight it is probly kind of hard for most of you to tell how close we are to the water and how the temps are for a snake.

We might be Canadian but we aren't idiots when it comes to snakes (well, not all of us). Yes, you CAN keep a snake in those conditions, but NO it will not be healthy. Like I said before... FLORIDA ISNT SOUTH AMERICA! Boas aren't made to survive in native florida temps. And its one thing if it was living in the wild outside, but in this case it's going be stuck in a tiny cage (relative to nature)... with no where to escape mites, parasites, predators, bad temps, etc, etcn etc...

Quote:

BTW a columbian red tail boa a columbian boa and a red tail boa are all the same snake am i correct?I have read on the but it is confusing,are they all boa constrictor imperator?

Well, "red-tailed boa" is used very broadly... it can mean "colombian red-tailed boa" which, yes, is BCI. But it usually means GUYANA Red-Tailed Boas, SURINAM Red-Tailed Boas and so on, the BCCs aka the "true Red tails".

I do advise you NOT to get this snake. It is very, very selfish and cruel of you to keep something you want in bad conditions, just because you want it. It's like keeping a horse tethered in a 10'x10' backyard.

Zoe

Jeff_Favelle · 10-13-03, 08:27 PM

Quote:

BTW a columbian red tail boa a columbian boa and a red tail boa are all the same snake am i correct?I have read on the but it is confusing,are they all boa constrictor imperator?

If you are at the level of knowledge and inexperience that you don't even know the difference, then obviously you are not at a point where you should be making decisions to go against what EVERY reptile keeper on the planet will tell you. Clearly.

I feel bad for that snake and I feel bad for our hobby. Its people like you that are giving it a sketchy, irresponsible-type bad name.

ohh_kristina · 10-13-03, 08:32 PM

I agree with Jeff_Favelle. To add to what I said before, it also rains a lot in here (in florida). Bradenton is known for being a major flood zone. I have family who live there. This is definately not suitable for a snake. Please refrain from getting this snake! You are not ready.

LORI34205 · 10-13-03, 08:34 PM

well quick reply

o ya did i specify that it would be in a 4x8x5
on stilts off the ground
its closed off and will be away from mites and ticks.I may end up turning my closet into a cage hmmmmmmmm

foman · 10-13-03, 08:35 PM

Listen to everyone's advice they know what they're talking about , don't be ignorant

Burm41 · 10-13-03, 08:36 PM

Well i agree with all the people besides LORI34205 but i think your being way to hard on him.. well not really but atleast you could have said it in away that he didnt have to ***** at yall. I agree with Jeff on if you dont have the knowledge and experience to even know what a col. red tail and a red tail is then you are not even close to being ready to keep a snake... and its stupid to keep a snake outside...

ohh_kristina · 10-13-03, 08:37 PM

a 4ft enclosure isn't going to be able to hold a good sized female boa. Maybe a male, but I prefer 5ft cages for males, and 6+ for females.

LORI34205 · 10-13-03, 08:41 PM

the floor is 4x8
thats 32 sq feet on the floor
plus 5 feet tall