breeding question

[RachelS.]

I have a 3 year old female bci and she's only about 5'2" long (is that small, or average)? She is my first boa. I also have a male that's 2 years old and almost as big as her. My older brother knows a girl at his college who's dad breeds boas and is pretty well-known. She told my brother that the females are ready to breed at 7' and curve their tails. Is this true? I'm just trying to figure everything out right now. What is a good age to start putting them together during breeding season? Isn't breeding season in December? Thanks... any and all info is appreciated!

-Rachel

[sSNAKESs.com]

A boa can be bred at 5', but it will stunt her growth and i wouldnt reccomend it... I think the rule of thumb would be 15 pounds... a healthy 6' bci female is going to weight in and around 15 pounds and she can be bred safely for sure thats my 0.2 and i am in no means a expert on breeding! LOL

[RachelS.]

Thanks a bunch Jeff. Would you have any idea if that is a good size for her age? I wouldn't want to stunt her growth, I'm not in this for the money... I'd just like to see her have some babies, and I think it would be an awesome experience. Also, should I be feeding her a jumbo rat every week? Sometimes she doesn't take them, and it worries me. Thanks a bunch

-Rachel

[hip]

Here is an opinion for you Rachel and take it for what it is worth to you and what you know about the habits of your boa.Feed prey that is the size of the dia of your snake, unless she is 6" in dia no jumbo rats.Feed less try every 10-14 days as an average for feeding a 3 year old boa.To many people over feed Boas there is nothing worse than a female that is way too fat to be healthy. I always vary the time between feeds last time was 18 days next will be some were between 10 - 14.I have a friend with adults who when he is not breeding selected pairs of boas,takes them off the feed for 2 months in the winter and then brings them back to feeding slowly over 1-1/2 - 2 months.These snakes loose little weight (like a pound or two) and always produce for him every other year.At 3 years your female is average,I have seen 4 feet at 3 years and I have also seen 8 feet at the same age.Your female won't be full grown for another 2 years or so.If you want her to get longer try rabbits(no bs it really does enhance growth rate length wise) were as guinea pigs add huge amounts of bulk and body fat to a well fed snake.Use them every other feeding for two months up to breeding time for insurance(to make sure the old girl has enough fat stores for the long fast ahead).



I would have to say your female should be no less than 6 feet long and 4 years old(rather than 3 even though they will ovulate at 3 and produce small litters) and should be in the 20 -30 pound range (sorry jeff I feel 15 pounds is just too light when the snake is not eating for up to half a year or so) Thusly the neonates(baby snakes) should be born larger on average (more room in momma and more energy reserves to produce large off spring)

Here is a trick always use a male smaller than your female So if you have a small female use a smaller male.Them little guys just work so hard and will do a better job than a male of equal or larger size.You can, through changes in your husbandry get "common"(columbian) boas to breed at any time of the year.What you have to do is simulate the breeding season.So you could breed in July if you can simulate the correct temps but the most important part of it is the hours of daylight versus dark hours to simulate the seasonal change.Couple that with temp change long cool nights.short warm days and a decrease in food supply should get you to were you want to be whenever you want to be there.

Enjoy your herps and enjoy the holidays that are almost here



Peace to you

Take care Hip