Substitution...opinions??

SnowFoxx · 03-14-03, 01:46 PM

Well, the breeder I bought my BCI from called last night and said that he was all ready to ship my snake out and noticed that he was a bit thin, and wanted to know if I would take another snake instead. He said he was reluctant to ship a skinny snake, but he would hold him and feed him up for a few weeks and then see if he could ship him, or I could take this other snake he had. He sent me a pic of the other snake so I could compare them. I asked him about temperment. He said that all baby boas can be nippy, but he thought they both had good tempers. He said he'd pla with them for an hour each this morning, and if the temperment of the second boa seemed good, he'd ship him out. So that's what happened. He'll arrive tomorrow. I've attached a pic of him. So, the questions...

Do you think he is as goos looking as the other (pictured in the "Im so excited" thread)? Does he look like he's in strike pose(like he does to me)? Does this mean he might be bad-tempered? Did I get ripped off? The pic is titles "babynicboa.jpg"...is he a BCI, or is he a Nicaraguan(sp) or is that the same thing. He looks like a BCI to me. Am I overeacting? And finally, does anyone have that snake-measuring program so I can find out how big he is (I'll find out tomorrow when he arrives, but you know)?

- Victoria :w

Mr Maggot · 03-14-03, 03:04 PM

Most baby boas are nippy, which doesnt surprise me. As for the strike pose, I doubt it. the snake is just trying to figure out what this black thing that keeps flashing lights on it is. My argentine always does that when things are moving around her. In fact she's doing it right now. I dont know about playing with them, but i guess that means handling. anyway. Both snakes look good, but to tell you the truth I like the other more--- just my opinion, so dont get all freaked out about it.

Anyway, cool colors on the head/neck, havent seen that salmon color before only on that part

Linds · 03-14-03, 03:21 PM

That's an awful fishy sounding story

Wouldn't he notice BEFORE he was about to ship the animal out that it was thin? Why did he become skinny in the first place? Why wouldn't he notice the animal becoming skinny?, this isn't something that happens overnight, and if it did happen quickly that is of an even greater concern. If this animal is sick, or whatever the reason may be for the weight loss, what about the other animals that are around it? I would be concerned.

There are many localities of BCI, which include Nicaraguans. Colombians are probably the most commonly seen. Nicaraguans are typically much smaller than Colombians, and normals are typically darker in colourations, with busier patterns and more flecking. IMHO the pictured snake looks more like a Colombian.

Herp guy · 03-14-03, 03:25 PM

Um, well for the strike pose ill say no cause thats what my snake did. I need to know what a BCI and BCC are . I have no clue as i am new to herps. Email me at FaNg2oo2@aol.com . I think I like the old one a teeny bit better,but I'm not saying I dont like this one I lke it too. No, you didnt get ripped off. I'm thinking you payed around $100.00 dollars shipped as I've seen one in my local pet shop for $90.00. Email me what you payed too. Yeah I like the snake and I was wondering about the snake measuring program too. Can some one email me on information and where to get that. Thanx Jake

Yeah, I agree with Linds , I think it looks more like a columbian. Could someone email me and tell me what a nicaguran is (i dont know how to spell it) , I'm sure you guys had to find out somewhere so could u tell me ........... FaNg2oo2@aol.com Thanx Jake

SnowFoxx · 03-14-03, 03:56 PM

Linds - I *am* concerned about the fishy story, but the snake arrives tomorrow, so we'll see. The guy told me that he bought the other boa, the first one, from someone who wasn't feeding it large enough prey, and that he had switched it over to the appropriate sized prey, but that it would take a few weeks to put some weight on. In the picture, it looked thin to me, but just the normal big-headed baby thin that boids usually are at that age, IMO. This second one is definitely bigger, but looks longer than the other one, too. The different angles of the two pics makes it a little hard to tell.

I'm wondering about him not noticing before that the snake was skinny. He has employees who do most of the care, apartently, but wouldn't he check on them himself, to decide on prices if nothing else? Also, the first time I called, I was told that the snake I originally paid for was the only baby they had in stock, but that isn't true, because they're sending me a baby.

I only guessed it was Nicaraguan based on the title of the file, but if it's a Columbian, that's good, because I want a large snake.

I did talk to a few different people on the phone, so maybe that's why there are some inconsistencies in what I was told. Hey, as long as I get a healthy, calm, pretty (and they're *all* pretty) BCI, I'm satisfied. I just want a good pet, I'm not breeding him or anything.

I'm just worried because my first snake, a BP, was bought from a well-known breeder who screwed me because they knew they could. I was a newbie, and asked for a normal, but "nice looking" BP. They said they had one with a nice, unusual pattern. They said it was eating and healthy. I bought the line, and the snake. It was the ugliest normal I have ever seen, skinny as a rail, and ended up starving to death because it never once ate after it arrived.

I e-mailed them over and over to ask what to do, and they never answered back. They saw a beginner, and took advantage, so now I'm wary of all breeders.

Well, here's hoping this time things will turn out ok for me and the snake.

- Victoria :w

Linds · 03-14-03, 04:17 PM

Victoria,
Good luck, I hope everything works out for you

Herp Guy,
As I said in my post, Nicaraguans are locality of BCI. They are from Nicaragua.

Katt · 03-14-03, 08:41 PM

I would do a search on the Boa at Fauna Classifieds, if you suspect this person is not legit.

In my opinion, you should be REFUNDED your money. That snake doesn't look as red as the other one and if it is a Nicaraguan it would grow to be smaller than a colombian. Plus the price is a bit high and you could find nicer boas, with no fishy stories attached.

Get what you pay for.

snakemann87 · 03-14-03, 08:45 PM

id have to agree, the other is brighter, and there are TONS of baby boas for cheaper.

Mr Maggot · 03-14-03, 10:41 PM

Certainly the story is fishy, Im betting that that this guys leading you around in circles.-------- I suugest making sure ahead of time exactly what boa you're getting.. I get all of mine at shows so I can inspect them myself

djnzlab · 03-17-03, 08:34 PM

HI,
I think he realized he sold you a pastel as a common and realized his error after you had paid for the boa, this new boa looks like a common to me.
It will proably be a wonderful pet, I wouldn't reccomend the person whom you bought the boa from on the site, he shoud'nt substatute without offering a refund out right.
my 2 cents doug

here's and example i paid 220.00 american and it includded shipping . this is a hypo-pastel male

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