General Questions: Different Genera of Snakes

[ngav3]

Hmm, thats interesting about the rosy boas. I dont know much about them, but i would keep a water bowl in all the time, as long as the humidity stays where it should be

[Minkness]

I personally believe water should always be available. Just use a smaller dish if needed.

I also liked the dumeril I held before, but I was sold on a hog island, so found a breeder I liked and will be pouncing on this years litter in late summer. =)

[Tiny Boidae]

If the humidity increases too much, then increase ventilation. If you're using a glass aquarium though, I can guarantee that won't be a problem. Kenyan sand boas get the same advice thrown around, and while a week without water won't kill them, it probably will be against their best interest still to withhold it.

Btw, while you're looking at rosies, why don't you look at sand boas to? Rufescens seem to be exactly what you're looking for as far as color goes



People who are deathly afraid of snakes often times don't even need convincing to hold a sand boa, which are arguably small as a boid can get. They'll usually just ask if it's venomous and when I say no, they'll reluctantly take it and come to appreciate them. I've never been bitten aggressively by all but one of my boas, and he's a special case there. They also will NOT miss a feed. I had my calm male who was acting deathly sick last night while he was in shed and he still ate without any fuss. They usually take about a month or so once you get them for them to start eating though, so don't be alarmed if that happens. If, after a month, they still won't take their first meal, just gently press the snout of the mouse to the snout of the snake gently and hold it there. Where braining, scenting, leaving overnight, and all that fuss failed, snout-pressing worked for me. They never turn down a meal after that hurdle

Although, to be fair, they do have problems shedding and this seems to be the case with every sand boa. I learned the trick a few months ago and got my first full shed from my female (without assistance) by giving the eco-earth a good misting as she started to shed her skin. Worked like a charm

[Stiglitz]

Originally Posted by ngav3

Hmm, thats interesting about the rosy boas. I dont know much about them, but i would keep a water bowl in all the time, as long as the humidity stays where it should be

Originally Posted by Minkness

I personally believe water should always be available. Just use a smaller dish if needed.

I also liked the dumeril I held before, but I was sold on a hog island, so found a breeder I liked and will be pouncing on this years litter in late summer. =)

Originally Posted by Tiny Boidae

If the humidity increases too much, then increase ventilation. If you're using a glass aquarium though, I can guarantee that won't be a problem. Kenyan sand boas get the same advice thrown around, and while a week without water won't kill them, it probably will be against their best interest still to withhold it.

Btw, while you're looking at rosies, why don't you look at sand boas to? Rufescens seem to be exactly what you're looking for as far as color goes



People who are deathly afraid of snakes often times don't even need convincing to hold a sand boa, which are arguably small as a boid can get. They'll usually just ask if it's venomous and when I say no, they'll reluctantly take it and come to appreciate them. I've never been bitten aggressively by all but one of my boas, and he's a special case there. They also will NOT miss a feed. I had my calm male who was acting deathly sick last night while he was in shed and he still ate without any fuss. They usually take about a month or so once you get them for them to start eating though, so don't be alarmed if that happens. If, after a month, they still won't take their first meal, just gently press the snout of the mouse to the snout of the snake gently and hold it there. Where braining, scenting, leaving overnight, and all that fuss failed, snout-pressing worked for me. They never turn down a meal after that hurdle

Although, to be fair, they do have problems shedding and this seems to be the case with every sand boa. I learned the trick a few months ago and got my first full shed from my female (without assistance) by giving the eco-earth a good misting as she started to shed her skin. Worked like a charm

Thank you so much for all of the information that everyone has provided! It has been very helpful and useful and I will keep this thread as a reference to supplement my further research. To be honest, I probably won't be getting a snake until two or three years from now, after I've graduated from college. But it can never hurt to start early, and be sure that I know what I'm getting into before actually purchasing a slithery fellow. Also, my girlfriend hates snakes, so it helps to keep breeds like BPs and other well mannered snakes to convince her when we eventually move in together! I hope to see some of you on this forum in the future, and hopefully it will be on a thread of me showing off my new best friend.

[dannybgoode]

If a boa is tempting you look at the Central American boa constrictor imperator. They stay on the smaller side and can be stunningly beautiful ( note I am a little biased as I have one).

Even at 6 months old she is very calm, feeds well and is everything I hoped for.

Pic below