Hello :)

[Jay]

Originally Posted by snake man12

That is an opine belief to say they are much more thrilling to own.
Maybe you should handle your dum a little more[has an arrogant smile].

Yes IMO dum's are borring.

Don't ruin another thread with an endless debate my female dum that I disturb just as much as my male tolerates me.

[snake man12]

Fine, rant ended. Nice touch with the brain capacity there.

[Jay]

Well, it depends what his intentions were.

[Wildside]

Originally Posted by Jay

Well, it depends what his intentions were.

He probably couldn't remember asking the fly to GTFO...

[Splashstorm]

Wow, heated debate about Dums and BCIs? ^_^ Great, now I don't know which to choose. How big do BCIs get? I heard a snake over 8 ft can kill you. O_O I'm 4'11 and stopped growing.

[Wildside]

Originally Posted by Splashstorm

Wow, heated debate about Dums and BCIs? ^_^ Great, now I don't know which to choose. How big do BCIs get? I heard a snake over 8 ft can kill you. O_O I'm 4'11 and stopped growing.

Dum's can get just as big as BCI's

[snake man12]

Originally Posted by Wildside

Dum's can get just as big as BCI's

Although they can it is unlikely and even if said size is reached it will take a while longer to get to that size as dums have a slower metabolism.

[Ivalynfyre]

A snake smaller than that can kill you, but as long as you use common sense, you should be fine. There are different BCI localities and size would vary between them, but I don't think any of them would exceed six or seven feet too often, though.

[exwizard]

Originally Posted by Wildside

Me either... I suggested a corn snake

In all honesty though I'm wondering why the OP chose Dumeril's over any BCI. Jay you and I both know BCI is a great starter snake and in my honest experience I would recommend them over a Dumeril's to anyone who started out skittish. I only have two reasons which are soley my own though and not supported by scientific evidence or popular opinion.



My reasons a BCI is better to begin with than a Dum are as follows:

1. In my experience, you are more likely to get tagged by a Dum

While a BCI is very docile by nature, so are Dums. I see no difference in their temperament and the first 5 snakes Ive ever had were Dums.

2. They are a more intimidating looking snake as far as facial features go. If a new keeper hasn't yet learned how to read the body language of a snake then this might confuse them.

I also have not found their facial features to be intimidating either, even back in the early days of keeping snakes.

As I said those are MY only reasons for not recommending a Dum to start with. I do highly recommend Dum's in general, just not for skittish beginners.

I hate to disagree with you on this Wildside because from what Ive seen in your previous posts, I like you and I like what what you had to say there but in this case, I dont think Splashsorm's going to have a problem with Dums especially if said Dum is acquired as a baby.

[Wildside]

Originally Posted by exwizard

I hate to disagree with you on this Wildside because from what Ive seen in your previous posts, I like you and I like what what you had to say there but in this case, I dont think Splashsorm's going to have a problem with Dums especially if said Dum is acquired as a baby.

I would certainly hope disagreeing with me didn't mean you'd changed your opinion about me at all.

Let's be clear if the OP wants a Dum then by all means that's what the OP should get. I'm not trying to argue with anyone on this subject just stating my opinion based on my experience. In all fairness to the stance you guys are so boldly defending, I have much more experience with BCI and my encounters with Dum's haven't been the most pleasant at times, but that's just me. I also tend to give sales pitch as I used to have a shop. Had the OP been a customer of mine I would have steered toward the BCI to ensure maximum satisfaction based on what I know of each animal. Once hooked on that BCI I then would have pushed for a Dum as a second purchase.

Dear OP, If you really want a Dum get one. Either way you go one of these boas is a fine choice for a snake.

[exwizard]

Originally Posted by Wildside

I would certainly hope disagreeing with me didn't mean you'd changed your opinion about me at all....

No worries. Nothings changed.

[snake man12]

I agree with your last statement.

Although central american bci get five to seven there is always a chance of getting a nine foot monster.

But male dums also get to 5 to 7 feet. A nine footer is like unheard of in the dum world even a for a female.

[exwizard]

Originally Posted by snake man12

Although they can it is unlikely and even if said size is reached it will take a while longer to get to that size as dums have a slower metabolism.

I agree with this. The avg size for a male Dum is about 6' max and for a female, its about 7' max. While there are exceptions, and I have one, its very rare.

[Rogue628]

Originally Posted by exwizard

I agree with this. The avg size for a male Dum is about 6' max and for a female, its about 7' max. While there are exceptions, and I have one, its very rare.

Black Betty! I <3 her

Honestly, both common boa (BCI) and dumerils are good starter animals in my experience. I keep both and if I had to choose between the two, I suggest dumerils. They seem to be hardier animals, their husbandry requirements can be easier for a new keeper as well, although once you got either one's husbandry down, they're both really easy to keep. My dumerils don't seem to be quite as active as my colombian boa outside their enclosures, so in my experience they can be easier for a new keeper to handle. Both have never missed a meal outside shed (although only one of my dumerils have skipped a meal during shed).

It's really your decision and your pet. Pick which one you like best and feel fits your criteria for a pet snake.

[Splashstorm]

Looking at your posts, I think I will stick to a Dum, mostly because I know they won't get as big as BCIs.