A question

annieb_mice · 08-15-04, 06:18 PM

Hello all...
I have had boa constictors in the past, and currently have two female boas, both still young. I had an "experience" today which has left me more than a little bit angry and I would like to have this cleared up by people who BREED boa constrictors.
Here's what happened... I took my two female common Columbian Boa Constrictors to a local "reptile pet fair." I was selling one, and the other is my beloved pet, Sheila.

I was TOLD they were BOTH this years babies, though the one I was selling was a bit younger than Sheila. Sheila is maybe 2 - 2 1/2 feet long, I am really bad with judging sizes. A fellow vendor and someone I had considered a "friend" BEFORE this, saw Sheila and said she looks a few years old and that she is almost the same size as one of HER boas who is about 2 1/2 years old. I told her that Sheila was THIS year's baby and growing like a weed. She argued with me vehemently saying that I was wrong... I didn't know what I was talking about.... and I decided to ask two OTHER vendors at the show who I KNEW bred and raised boas, who both agreed that Sheila was a healthy looking 6 month old boa. This person got EXTREMELY angry and her last parting shot was that I was powerfeeding her and it was OBVIOUS because NO boa grows to 3 feet in less than a year!
Needless to say this whole encounter left me upset. So..... I would like to ask the people on this forum who have years of experience with boas...
How much will a NORMAL female columbian Boa Constrictor grow in the FIRST YEAR? (I have read and have been told that they can grow several feet in their first year or so, then slow down after that)
Is feeding ONE medium sized rat once every 7 - 10 days too much? (I usually wait until she has deficated before offering her food)
I have been told that a snake that has been power fed will have a VERY small head compared to it's body.... is this true? And how big a difference would this be?
I'm sorry for going on like this... but I want to make CERTAIN that I am NOT powerfeeding my snakes (I don't believe I am) and that the size Sheila is ... is NORMAL for a boa her age. If there is a problem, then I need/want to know NOW so that I can change.
Thank you ...
Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~

mark129er · 08-16-04, 01:26 AM

I have a female Cent Amer boa she is about a year old now and about 3.5-4 ft long (to squirmy to measure accurately). I sure as he!! don't power feed.

Pontus · 08-16-04, 01:36 AM

lol well mine hit 4 feet easy in 10 months and i didnt power feed lol so i think your friend fed his once a month in my opinion lol now there a year and a half and 5 and a half feet so dont wory your not power feeding what so ever

dave68 · 08-16-04, 02:27 AM

I agree, my babies that I've raised up all grew close to or exceeding four feet in their first year. I believe you are doing a great job with yours keep it up!

Dave

BoAddict · 08-16-04, 04:33 AM

most boa's will grow to over 4 feet in there first year i have seen some groe to 6 feet within the first year with regular weekly feedings.

by no means am i known breeder but i have kept boas for over 10 years

this was my first year at breeding and had a nice litter 13 - 0

the male was only 18 months or so when he bred but it was a trial year so all was good

creep

aztec · 08-16-04, 08:17 AM

Thats not power feeding to my understanding of the practice. and 2.5ft seems a good size for a 6 month old boa, my 4 month old boas are both 2 feet and i feed them every 5 to 7 days. Lifes to short to worry about what one person says, laugh to yourself and keep going the way you are, both you and your snake will be the winner in the end.
ps. powerfeeding to my understanding is feeding every 3 days possibley every 2 days never giving the snake time to sit back and enjoy his/her last meal. ofcourse someone correct me if i am way off base there.

Derrick · 08-16-04, 08:29 AM

lol my hog was over 4' at 1 year. She was probably eating better than in the wild and doesnt have to work too hard for her meals but I keep a similar feeding schedule to most of the keepers that post here.

People can be a little millitant about thier pet rearing beliefs. You see it around here of and on. everyone has an opinion i wouldnt get to bent about it.

annieb_mice · 08-16-04, 11:18 AM

Thank you EVERYONE for your replies! I felt I was doing a good job with Sheila and everyone adores her when I bring her out to shows and such. This was the FIRST negative comment and it caught me by surprise and I just wanted to be sure I was not doing something I shouldn't.
Thank you for confirming what I already knew in my heart was right.

Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~