Rubber Boa?

[gibbrishclown]

I hear these are pretty cool little guys... I was wondering how they compared to BPs and Corns... I saw they tended to need to be cooler than even corns? is that correct or was that a bad site I read? (they also said several could live together just fine and that live was better than f/t though) I'm still thinking about what I'm looking for at the expo this weekend (if anything) and I thought a rubber boa sounded interesting, so I wanted to ask around a bit... thoughts?

[qiksilver]

really secretive, it would almost be like keeping an empty cage that eats mice weekly. fun little guys when you see them, but you'll never see them

[gibbrishclown]

really secretive, it would almost be like keeping an empty cage that eats mice weekly. fun little guys when you see them, but you'll never see them

Much like my BP then, huh? Grrr... I want a rather active snake that's going to appreciate being handled (I know I'm funny!) I was told that people just wear them like jewelry in the summer because it's cool enough for them... that's probably a buncha bunk, huh?

[qiksilver]

people do some silly things, they're just real shy, active snakes that tolerate handling are a toughy, Boa constrictors usually fare well, or some rat snakes...

[gibbrishclown]

Are those beginner snakes? I appreciate your input so much! I just want to get some other ideas so I can do some research before I get there with money in my pocket and turn into a kid in a candy store and don't pay attention to what I'm getting into Not that I've ever done anything like that before

[qiksilver]

If you want something bigger... like 8 feet long and super active go for a taiwan beauty, they're real pretty and can be personable, MedusasOwl on here has a few i think jjspirko too, but for boas a lot of times it's reccommended for beginners, but I would look for a central american boa, because the common colombians get real big real quick. Nicaraguans and boas like that stay pretty small.
There's always the western hognoses or house snakes for small active fairly personable snakes, but then again they're not the take around sort since they'll dart away.

[qiksilver]

sorry I forgot about rosy boas, like rubbers but considered more active as well as a great beginner species.
I have a lot of trouble the the beginner species because they all have their quirks, although some are definitely better than others.

[gibbrishclown]

So the Taiwan Beauty is a rat snake? I hope those two posters get a chance to weigh in on thier experience with this snake, you're right, they sure are pretty!

[chimpkin]

I think the activity level of a rubber is based on a "per snake" basis. I keep mine in a rack and I see him out all the time. Usually I only keep very inactive snakes in a rack. I think mine would actually explore a decorative tank. But I know many people never see their rubber boa. Based on my experience I can't recommend as a beginner snake. I have had some feeding and husbandry quirks I had to work out. For one: Mine will only take washed f/t pinkies with the legs removed. Two: They required somewhere between 60 & 70% humidity at shed time to have a good shed. Everything i've read says 40-50% average. When I keep mine at 45% he has a bad shed.

Anyway, I love mine. What a cool little snake. And yes, they will coil around your fingers and stay there.

[darkangel]

I think you should try a boa constrictor. My Central American baby hides, but spends a proportionate amount of time outside of his hides as well. He's very inquisitive about me and his environment. He keeps me on my toes because he will get a little squirrely and strike if I'm not paying attention. I haven't had him long but it's a stark contrast from the bp secretive behavior.