Why aren't Dumeril's boas more popular???

[Anatopism]

I've heard people say this before..? What's so "intermediate" about them care wise? Is it because of their size? Because their care humidity/temp wise is very similar to Ball Pythons. I just don't see how their "intermediate" lol

My guess on 'intermediate' would be due to:

1) Size. To us they are manageable and still considered smaller than some other boas, burms, or retics.. but to the average person just getting into the hobby, or learning about snakes at all, a dumerils can be intimidating. They're still on the middle-to-larger end of the scale as far as many species most commonly kept in the hobby (e.g. Balls, corns, kingsakes, even some carpets that get long, but are not terribly heavy bodied)

2) some can be difficult to get started (I have also experienced this first hand)... possibly due to them being so shy, and not really liking an audience when eating. Our girl eats great, but she's also 9 years old, and gets fed a large/jumbo rat once every month to month and a half, otherwise she starts getting fat rolls.

[Trackstrong83]

My guess on 'intermediate' would be due to:

1) Size. To us they are manageable and still considered smaller than some other boas, burms, or retics.. but to the average person just getting into the hobby, or learning about snakes at all, a dumerils can be intimidating. They're still on the middle-to-larger end of the scale as far as many species most commonly kept in the hobby (e.g. Balls, corns, kingsakes, even some carpets that get long, but are not terribly heavy bodied)

2) some can be difficult to get started (I have also experienced this first hand)... possibly due to them being so shy, and not really liking an audience when eating. Our girl eats great, but she's also 9 years old, and gets fed a large/jumbo rat once every month to month and a half, otherwise she starts getting fat rolls.

Ahh good points.

And I experienced last night about the getting them started thing. I tried to give mine a f/t mouse, and she showed no interest. Better luck next week I guess. Is there anything specific I should do when feeding? My BP is picky about how she is fed; it has to be dark, and I have to leave the rat in her tub. I tried making it as dark as possible when feeding her last night, but to no success.

[Anatopism]

Ahh good points.

And I experienced last night about the getting them started thing. I tried to give mine a f/t mouse, and she showed no interest. Better luck next week I guess. Is there anything specific I should do when feeding? My BP is picky about how she is fed; it has to be dark, and I have to leave the rat in her tub. I tried making it as dark as possible when feeding her last night, but to no success.

Try a f/t or pre killed rat - slightly smaller than what you probably think it can take, put it in the cage as the lights go out, and don't walk in the same room until the next day Might be more difficult to find an appropriately sized rat, but most will suggest trying a rat over mice. You can try live, but make sure it isn't going to go bumbling around and smacking into your snake's face. Some eat great, some just need some more time to settle in, and some are a pain to get started. No handling or excessive 'checking in' until it starts eating though.

[BallJohnny]

My guess on 'intermediate' would be due to:

1) Size. To us they are manageable and still considered smaller than some other boas, burms, or retics.. but to the average person just getting into the hobby, or learning about snakes at all, a dumerils can be intimidating. They're still on the middle-to-larger end of the scale as far as many species most commonly kept in the hobby (e.g. Balls, corns, kingsakes, even some carpets that get long, but are not terribly heavy bodied)

2) some can be difficult to get started (I have also experienced this first hand)... possibly due to them being so shy, and not really liking an audience when eating. Our girl eats great, but she's also 9 years old, and gets fed a large/jumbo rat once every month to month and a half, otherwise she starts getting fat rolls.

Sorry to kind of change topic but Boa's can get fat rolls that just seems silly

[Anatopism]

Sorry to kind of change topic but Boa's can get fat rolls that just seems silly

Rosy is a beefcake. She gets our retired breeders, or any mom rats that decide they would rather be an independent woman and refuse to acknowledge the man-rats or raise their children.

[Trackstrong83]

Try a f/t or pre killed rat - slightly smaller than what you probably think it can take, put it in the cage as the lights go out, and don't walk in the same room until the next day Might be more difficult to find an appropriately sized rat, but most will suggest trying a rat over mice. You can try live, but make sure it isn't going to go bumbling around and smacking into your snake's face. Some eat great, some just need some more time to settle in, and some are a pain to get started. No handling or excessive 'checking in' until it starts eating though.

That is what I tried last night, I tried doing the "zombie" dance, but she wasn't interested. Should I try and leave a mouse (f/t) in her tub tonight overnight?

[missriss2012]

I've had my female dumeril's boa since January, I am pretty positive she is a 2011. I absolutely love her! She has such a calm and docile personality, loves to explore when I take her out of her enclosure, and is never ever defensive! The only time she has ever bitten was when she was deep in shed, and she tagged me when I was trying to uncover her (she loves to burrow in her aspen). I learned to never mess with her while she is in shed again! I always tell people that dumeril's are amazing snakes, but they don't get as much love as they should.

EDIT: Also, my girl needs to be "booped" on the head for her to eat. So, not really a zombie dance so much as a zombie attack! I just gently tap her face/nose with the f/t mouse and she takes it.