Good first boa?

[snakemann87]

lol. luckily the reps for BCI's and BallP's are true for me, and thank god the reps of baby burms isn't

[djnzlab]

Hi,
Be sure you want any animal you get , they can be a little work, and will have good days and bad.. SOme animals are grumpy in shed some are excited on feeding days.
Many can be unnerving when upset.
I beleive you need a calm understanding that many species aren't that far out of the jungle . I keep snakes because they intrest me. I don;t often take them out of the house, hey if you want to see them come visit.
I have returned to the original pet store for the Guyana's i have a special large ice cooler with wheels so I can take them out,they are floored at their size.My Guyana are starting the third year of life and stil growing like weeds.

I wonder how many reptiles make it to that first year mark. yes there's a learning curve many don't make it. please do your homework join a good reptile forum, and visit with someone who has a 4-5 year old , so you can see what your getting.
I have a good friend who has had a BCI boa almost all her adult life the snakes gotta be 26 + years old and she's stil eating two to three jumbo rats a month ( the snake) hehe
doug
here's my baby in the feeding mode


same girl at 24 mos, over 6 ft and starting to gain weight, I only feed he once a month now.


this is a pic of her mate in that pre-shed funk I leave him alone when he's like this..


tha learning curve..
doug

[Lasher]

I have a columbian red, argentine X, brazillian rainbow, and hogg island. All have excellent temperment except for the argentine X. He is now well mannered, but it took about 6 month to tame him.
Please see most of my coven here:http://community.webshots.com/script...bumID=61001693

and feel free to email me with any questions.
Lasher
nighthawk@chartertn.net

[stormyva]

I agree with DJN.... go spend some time with someone that has a large snake before you invest your money and time into one that has the potential to get big. Spend the time to know what you are getting yourself into!

[SnowFoxx]

I have two BPs and a corn right now, so I do have snake experience (I got the impression some of you think this is my first *snake* - My mistake, I should have said)

I have been the first contact in a couple of rescues of boas in my area, so I have handled them and am comfortable with their size. Unfortunately their owners weren't (once people find out I keep snakes, I here a lot of "I know a guy with a really big snake, and he's afraid it will eat his kids/dog/neighbors, will you take it?" I hope to do rescue eventually)

I have done a WHOLE LOT of research on boas in general, but before I buy any kind of animal I always go to the people who own them to get opinions.

For those who haven't seen my other post, I bought a little male BCI last night!! I think he's absolutely the nicest BCI I have ever seen, and I'm sure he will make a wonderful addition to my family. Thanks for all the advice, guys!

- Victoria :w

[havenots26]

You could also consider some other BCIs, like argentinians which stay 4-5 ft.

Hi Zoe,

I just wanted to clarify a couple things about your statement. First, Argentines are Bco(Boa c. occidentalis) not Bci. Secondly, large female Argentines can easily reach ten feet in length so I would not classify them as a small snake. Please don't take this as a personel attack. I just want us all to have the correct information. Have a nice day.

John

[Feed'em All]

I was just about to clarify the same. As Argentinian and keeper of
an Argentine Boa, they are classified as Boa Constrictor Occidentalis, and it's said they are one of the biggest boa subspecies.
Another fact I bet most of you don't know, here there are called "Lampalagüas", strange name, isn't it?
Although their size, if you get a hatchling you probably will grow a "gentle giant" I really love their temp/attitude..
Just my opinion, Martin.

[havenots26]

Martin,

"Lampalagüas",

Does this word translate into english? Just curious as to what it means.

John

[Feed'em All]

I guess there is no translation into english, not sure since is not an spanish word, it is in some indian language (bco inhabits a vaste area where many tribes are settled, so I dunno which language are is).
In some places there are also called "culebrones" meaning "big colubrids" (I know there are no colubrids, but the person that came up with the "nickname" obviously didn't).
Martin.

[uog11]

forget the big snakes, get a small sand boa. kenyans look nice and you could get a pair cheaper than 1 bci. or if you want something a little more unique get a russian sand boa. they are really cool too

[djnzlab]

WHoops on the soap box again,
Hey good luck with that new BCI,
Sometimes when we post we start rambiling cause we've seen so many boa's back at the pet store cause they out grew a 55 gal tank.
When I purchased my first Boa I was told by the employee of the pet store that the boa I liked was from a dwarf or smaller sized boa (trying to make a sell) thats an example of trying to sell something at any cost. My first boa was a guyana ( not exactly a dwarf)..At the time I thought she had more color than the other boa's. she was skinny little snake as a baby.


I hardly ever see any boa's over 5 years old, My guess is they are destroyed, or dumped..
I hope I am wrong.
doug

[havenots26]

Hey Doug,

Here is an eight year old, near seven foot Common boa. I've had her since she was a newborn. Just thought you would like to see an older boa. Take care. John

[djnzlab]

Hi,
I really like that 8 y/o nice color,
thanks thats one of the first post I ve seen on 5 different forums of an adult over 6 y/o boa..
sHe's a lucky snake.
and thanks doug
ps them argies can get as big as Guyana 's sometimes bigger they are the Giants of the species.

[havenots26]

Doug,

Thanks alot. Is this the same Doug with the Mad. tree boas?

John

[a boas friend]

we rescued two redtails 5 or 6 yrs ago and just had our first clutch of 15 theyre gorges