Is he at a good size for his age?

[alejandrosantana0420]

So I just picked up a red tail boa from the pet store and was just wondering if he's at a good size for his age he is 5 years old and is about 4-5 feet thank you guys in advanced

[alejandrosantana0420]

So I just picked up a red tail boa from the pet store and was just wondering if he's at a good size for his age he is 5 years old and is about 4-5 feet thank you guys in advanced

[Reinz]

Well first off, he looks like a nice healthy Boa/BCI . He has good body form/shape and has not been over fed.

There's a significant difference between 4 ft and 5 ft. At 5 yrs, I would expect 5 ft, or maybe 5-6ft. But maybe he has been underfed some along the way. But he looks good now, so don't go power feeding him.

Enjoy him, Boas are cool snakes!

[JoshSloane]

Its super variable for boas, especially males IMO. I would say 4.5-5 feet for a five year old male is good. Its hard to see in that picture, but it looks healthy.

[alejandrosantana0420]

Thank you guys I feel much better now

[Kelso]

Beautiful Boa, I was in Petco today picking up some fish supplies and I saw one in there they had him 50% off so he was $60. I was so tempted but the wife would have killed me.

[Sauzo]

Seems about right. Boas all grow at different paces and spurts but 5' at 5 years seems about right for a male. My big bci girl Rosey is about 6' and 3 years old and my little sunglow girl Vicky is almost 3' at 1 year old.

[alejandrosantana0420]

Thank you Kelso and thanks you Sauzo and one more question do you guys think it's going to get any bigger?

[Gio]

5' 7" here and will be 3 years old June 27 or 28.





Male BCs can grow large, feeding and husbandry are the 2 biggest factors. Year round warm temps and an abundance of quality food will certainly cause growth.

This information is not simply from my experience, it is from Gus Rentfro, who is probably one of the world's top authorities when it comes to BCs.

Also note if your male boa is never housed with or around females, it will not experience the pheromonal cues given off by a female during breeding time. A breeder male, or even a male housed within a home with female boas will behave differently, and become determined to reproduce and much less interested in food.

The biggest boas are the oldest boas, so keep that in mind.

[Gio]

I see that I didn't really answer your question. The boa looks to be in fine health, and not every BC be it male or female will be a giant.

There is certainly sexual size dimorphism between males BCs and females, however I don't see many reasons why a "shoulder pet" non-breeder, male can't attain a decent size. Using somewhat warmer husbandry practices, within the reasonable guidelines, and feeding larger prey items, you will probably see some increased growth if that is your goal.

Your boa is at an age where the accelerated growth spurts are probably over, and a slow, steady growth pattern has taken hold.

I have no idea what the previous situation with your BC was, or how it was kept, or what's in it's genetic background but I don't think it would be a stretch to see it reach 6 feet at some point if you are raising it like a "shoulder pet".

I say all of that with a bit caution, as I'm not recommending an aggressive feeding regime or extremely warm temps with no break in the cycle.

Get to know your snake, don't be overly eager to feed it even though it's interesting, easy and fun.

IMO fat boas are absolutely horrible to look at, and BC's that no longer have the unique lateral compression (loaf shape) have not been cared for properly by their owner.

Shoot for a long lived, healthy BC and the growth will come.