what to expect from a hog island boa

okay, so i'm thinking of delving into the world of larger snakes... and i think we've decided on a hog island boa.

so, i need some real info and i find asking the ones who have them works the best.

how much time do they need you to spend with them a week? (i know my ball doesn't care if he sees me a week, month etc. although i do try to spend some time with him bi-weekly - if HE'S in the mood that is :P )

as they grow and get more strength to them... are they typically harder to handle?

i've heard people say, "if you work with them... " what exactly does that mean? hold them daily, weekly etc?

i want to make sure i'm the right kind of person to own one before i get it. because IMO it's easier to rehome a ball which stays small than a boa who gets much larger... so i want to make sure i can care for him for life.

how long do they live in captivity?

what do you feed them as adults?

i think that's all my questions... although i may have more depending on how well this cup of coffee does with my awakening brain cells LOL

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

okay, so i'm thinking of delving into the world of larger snakes... and i think we've decided on a hog island boa.

Good choice!

so, i need some real info and i find asking the ones who have them works the best.
I'll try my best
how much time do they need you to spend with them a week? (i know my ball doesn't care if he sees me a week, month etc. although i do try to spend some time with him bi-weekly - if HE'S in the mood that is :P )

Hoggies are more tolerant of handling than BPs. I have mine out for anything ranging from 15mins-1hour as often as I can. Sometimes that is once per week, sometimes a few times. Sometimes my fiance takes him in the bedroom and hangs out with him while watching TV and he lays under the blanket.
as they grow and get more strength to them... are they typically harder to handle?
Not particuarly. They become stronger but keep in mind, they are not a big boa like a red tail. Females get bigger than males.
i've heard people say, "if you work with them... " what exactly does that mean? hold them daily, weekly etc?
Spend some time handling them and letting them get to know you and be comfortable with you.
i want to make sure i'm the right kind of person to own one before i get it. because IMO it's easier to rehome a ball which stays small than a boa who gets much larger... so i want to make sure i can care for him for life.

how long do they live in captivity?
If taken care of they can live upwards of 30 years (dont quote me on this but I believe this to be the number)
what do you feed them as adults?
They can eat rats forever. My adult male eats smalls (sometimes 2) every 7 days
i think that's all my questions... although i may have more depending on how well this cup of coffee does with my awakening brain cells LOL

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Hope this helped a bit!

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Sometimes my fiance takes him in the bedroom and hangs out with him while watching TV and he lays under the blanket.

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So what Jamie is saying is

hog island boa > Jamie ;) :D

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Originally Posted by cassandra

So what Jamie is saying is

hog island boa > Jamie ;) :D

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I believe that she spends more time with the snake than she does with me! But i'm not much of a cuddler. :sweeet:

wow 30 years eh? i'll be in my 70's - i'm thinking this may not be a good choice then :( i'll have to talk to the kids and see if any of them will be willing to take it when they move out... (age 12 and 7) LOL

Your ball python has the same life expectancy, 20-30 years. =)

Hogs are great. i got mine about 2 months ago and she is incredible. if you want to know about the hog quirks that mine, april's and jamie's hogs have you should check the thread he posted (i'm too lazy to search for it now, got two papers due tomorrow). i believe it was called angry hoggie. she sure is interesting and its incredible the way that she can use her body in comparison to my ball python.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...t=angry+hoggie

off to read it now... thanks!

and ya i know my ball will live that long... i'm just concerned about possibly having to rehome a larger snake. i talked to my son about it today and he said that he'll help me out with it when i'm old and grey(er) LOL - nice kid LOL hahahahaha

jamie,

that was so helpful. thank you!

so by your post... is a hog island something you would recommend to a newbie to larger snakes or is there something else you would recommend instead?

aleesha

I see you keep mentioning larger snake. In comparison to a BP yes, Hogs are larger but they are still not that large. They don't get nearly as long as RTBs and not even close to as girthy. Think of the thickness of a 20oz soda bottle for a male, females can get a bit thicker. I would definitely recommend one as the next step for someone who wants a Boa and a larger snake than your average BP.