thanks a lot frankyveno!

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Well thanks a lot frankyveno!

After seeing your pics of your boa, and a few days reading, and thinking... I have decided to keep my eye out for one at Daytona show on Saturday..... I would certaily be nice to have 1 BIG snake in my collection... and that looks the the perfect allowed MAXIMUM sized one for my home....

I have done lots of reading, but am having trouble finding specific answers to my questions, so anyone who can help, please do!!!

1. Of the different species of red tails... or whatever they are actually called... what is the less expensive, most "normal" version that I can likely pick up cheap at the show?

2. I know it is hard to say, but what approx would the going price be for the answer to number 1?

3. How big will the answer to number one get for both male and female? length and weight. what are the appropriate tank sizes for the various stages of growth?



Thanks guys and gals for your help... I will have more questions I am sure.

[qiksilver]

Colombian Boa

[stangs13]

Its frankykeno! lol.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Its frankykeno! lol.

LMAO!!!! easy on me! it has been a LONG week!

[stangs13]

LMAO!!!! easy on me! it has been a LONG week!

No prob! I understnad completely! This week has been rough here too!

[Bruce Whitehead]

I have nothing to contribute... except. DANG that F-Keno! She had me years back at Severus, but now with Tequila it is a done deal.

Bigger space first... then the BCI... then a big hug for Ms. Jo!

Bruce

PS: Good luck finding a nice boa Mike.

[frankykeno]

Well thanks a lot frankyveno!

After seeing your pics of your boa, and a few days reading, and thinking... I have decided to keep my eye out for one at Daytona show on Saturday..... I would certaily be nice to have 1 BIG snake in my collection... and that looks the the perfect allowed MAXIMUM sized one for my home....

Whoohooo got another one over to the boa side!

I have done lots of reading, but am having trouble finding specific answers to my questions, so anyone who can help, please do!!!

1. Of the different species of red tails... or whatever they are actually called... what is the less expensive, most "normal" version that I can likely pick up cheap at the show?

Colombian aka common boa aka common redtail, I've heard then called a lot, Mike but basically just read that excellent care sheet from NERD and you'll know all you need to about the type of boas I keep. As far as price it's the old adage of you pay for what you get. Pick the nicest Colombian you like within your price range from the most reputable dealer there. Some Colombians like our Severus are very "clean". In other words they have little flecking and a very sharp pattern to their dorsal saddles. Tequila is plainer looker and not as sharp in her pattern as Severus is.

2. I know it is hard to say, but what approx would the going price be for the answer to number 1?

I have absolutely no idea Mike what show prices are for Colombians. I know what I see them going for in our local pet stores ($170) and it's bloody ridiculous considering the poor care they generally get there. Maybe take a moment and google some boa breeders to get an idea what the going price is for a male or female young Colombian.

3. How big will the answer to number one get for both male and female? length and weight. what are the appropriate tank sizes for the various stages of growth?

Male Colombians are considerably smaller than the females so if a certain mature size is your goal then plan accordingly in your purchase. Again the NERD site gives you basically all the info there as to male/female mature sizes. I can tell you that our male, Severus, at 3 years of age is a whole lot smaller than the female, Tequila, at 16 years of age.

As far as housing basically it's not much different than bringing home a baby ball python. Boas generally like a bit more space granted but a baby snake is a baby snake and we offered Sev (and the boarder Morgaine) smaller tubs to start with, hides, etc. Boas are strong snakes even as babies so a lot of care has to be given to make sure they can't shift a lid because they will try - A LOT. Boas seem to have a thing about nose rubbing (you can see some old nose rub scars on T's face) so make sure there is nothing in their enclosure they can do that on. They quickly figure out exactly where their enclosure opens and will rub there so check that carefully. Boas are smart, smart snakes.

Other differences from bp's - they tend to not be picky eaters or very picky at all about what feeding method you use. Our experience is that the boas rarely refuse and if they do, they generally have a fairly obvious reason for it (shedding, etc.) We keep our boas slightly cooler than the ball pythons. They have a hard, fast and very long strike range so mind that when you feed even a baby one - they do not play around at dinnertime. Handling doesn't stress them as much as a bp but of course you want your new boa to settle in well and all that stuff which you already know.

Quarantine, when mixing boas and pythons is an absolute must. Goes without saying but heck I'll say it anyways LOL.

I'd suggest you get a really young one that's been well started. That way you can raise it up nicely and you should get a lovely, friendly big boa whose never had a reason to fear you.

Oh and they like watching sports....particularily Red Wings hockey!

[Mike Cavanaugh]

so assuming I do evertything right with a young snake... and handle them once or twice a week.... how are they handling wise compared to a ball? do they like to be held? how long can they be held? ect?


are they less or more active then a Ball? please explain.

Any other important questions I should ask???

[frankykeno]

I'd say they are over all more curious than a ball python, less shy of unknown things, less easily stressed, less easily startled. Handling doesn't tend to toss them such a curve that they refuse to eat and so forth. That's reasonable handling of course. Over doing it, being rough with them, whatever - well that would stress any snake and turn them a bit distrustful of you.

We've noticed ours tend to be quite nosey about everything so you have to mind where they are going. Having had to flip a couch, rip out the underside to retreive a stubborn boa is an experience we only wanted to do once (and not even then LOL). They are powerful as they mature. The big boa we fostered then sent off to Becky in Texas use to grab pieces of furniture when she was out for exercise and simply haul it here or there with her. It was quite fun "retreiving" the coffee table from 6 foot plus Rauri LOL.

They seem to enjoy climbing since in the wild they are natural and accomplished climbers and hunt at both ground level and up in the trees. Their tails are far more powerful than a ball pythons due to this and our boas will often anchor themselves with their tails to something familar while they stretch out to investigate some new thing.

I'd say they are quite an intelligent snake and quite comical about some things. They seem to simply hate the smell of their own feces and most will develop some odd mannerisms to indicate it's time for you to come clean their home. Rauri used to press her nose to the mesh of her glass tank whenever she pooped as if the tank stunk and would you please come deal with this for her LOL. Tequila coils on her basking shelf and peers down at her smelly dump until you take it away. They very quickly figure out how their home opens and will test it to see if they can manage that too.

When we handle ours we find they love to stretch way out of our arms to check things out and will do these big boa wide head swings. Mind that because if you are walking with a boa they can suddenly swing out and nearly bonk themselves silly on a doorway. Rauri once managed to do a fast swing out and nabbed the handle of the fridge and open it as we walked past. Tequila recently head swung right up the leg of Mike's board shorts LOL.

I'd say handling a boa can be more fun than a ball python due to their more inquisitive nature but not as tiring as trying to keep a busy, fast colubrid from diving down the back of your chair.

[Debbienflorida]

Here in Gainesville Mike I paid $100.00 eachfor my 2 Redtails. They are agressive eaters (f/t), vey mellow, easily handleable and a pleasure to watch. There were aprox. a month old whn I got them 2 months apart. They are now 7 and 9 mos and growing like weeds. Once I decided on another snake I picked the Redtail and it didn't take long to realize this ws the one I wanted a pair of. Good luck at Daytona and if you don't find THE ONE there there are usualy plenty a little further south for you to pick from! We only have the one reptile specialty store in town but it and the owner are awesome!