Neighbor Doesn't Care for Snake

I just came across this website and wanted some info.

We have a neighbor who tried to sell us his huge boa for $200. This thing has to be 8 feet long and about as big around as my thigh. I had no interest in buying the snake for 1) I know nothing about boas and 2) I know absolutely no history about this animal 3) I have two small dogs and would fear it eating them. My issue is this: I of course wanted to see it due to its size. When we got into this guys house we went in the back room to see the snake. The cage is about 4 1/2 feet by 1 1/2 feet glass side/wood frame/glass top. No water. No hide. And a huge stick and 1 single lamp on top & the snake was curled up in the corner.

I don't know if/how aggressive she is but it was obvious that she wasn't getting the care that she needs. He said that he has had her for years and I understand that he's doing the necessary things to keep her alive but I don't think she is living as she should.

Do you know the actual species of snake, and is there any way for you to get pictures?

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Originally Posted by Anatopism

Do you know the actual species of snake, and is there any way for you to get pictures?

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Yes I could probably get pictures. The only thing that he has said is "boa"

I bet it's a boa constrictor.

As for what to do about it.. well, I can at least ease one of your worries. There should be zero risk to your dogs at least if you wanted it. Any decent cage is escape proof (of course, operator failure, such as leaving a sliding door open, voids any escape-proofing).

I personally would never take in a reptile that seemed unhealthy or uncared for, but that's just me. I leave my do-goodings for animals at the wildlife rehab clinic and the one rescue dog that we adopted. They can't all be helped by me personally, and I have finite resources.

I only have 1 boa so I am by no means an expert (he's an albino colombian boa), but in MY personal experience with boas, they are fairly easy to care for. IF you wanted to take on this boa, you have to know she may get bigger, and you will probably need a 6' enclosure. The good thing behind that is there is no way she can escape most enclosures, unless you make a mistake of some sort, so I am with mainbutter to say your dogs are safe. I doubt you'd leave a huge snake alone with them anyways. this site has a great caresheet for boas (and any other reptile actually). I have been told boas like a water dish that they can fit into, I can imagine that is difficult to find for a full grown female. My boa is still very small and uses his Reptile Basics medium hides, but I have read a lot of boas don't even use their hides, even when given to them. Although I am sure if he has a light shining down on her, she'd want a hide.

Waterbowls for boas are no problem.....lol, when I used to keep them I used those big kitty litter pans. If they wanted a soak, they had plenty of room.

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Originally Posted by Sammy412

Waterbowls for boas are no problem.....lol, when I used to keep them I used those big kitty litter pans. If they wanted a soak, they had plenty of room.

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Ohhh that's a great idea, probably would have never thought of it lol. Mine's still a little guy so no issues yet...figured I have time to come up with a good idea. Thanks! :)

Years ago I had a retic. I used a cat litter box with the hard plastic hood. The kind the cats can go inside of. I didn't use it for water, I used it for a hide. For my larger snakes now, I am using the plastic bins that they give you in the hospital for a water dish. My 6 ft Dumerils can get her entire body submerged and it fits inside a 55 gallon tank. The only problem I've had was when I had my male in with her, they would occasionally tip it over. That's a lot of water sitting in the bottom of the tank.