Owning BP's and Boas

Hello all! I currently have one Ball Python and am thinking about buying a Red Tail Boa. I know Boa's can carry IBD their whole life without showing symptoms. I live in a small studio apartment and as it is, would not be able to provide adequate quarantine measures. I was planning on buying the Boa at the upcoming November White Plains reptile expo, from a reputable breeder. Is it not a good idea? Please chime in with any personal experience about housing boas and pythons in the same area. Thanks!

I know nothing of RTBs but I would not do anything to risk my pets.

I'm struggling with the same issue. I just got a pair of BRBs. I do have the room to quartine them on a different floor of my house, (which puts them in the living room...I'm lucky to have understanding roomies). But, I would like to eventually keep all the snakes in the same room. Hopefully, someone with more knowledge can chime in...

ive owned both but noway would i house em together,though ive seen it done and neither seemed to mind , ibd is still pretty rare, as long as your ready to accept the consequences if he does per chance have ibd

I own both species and I house them in separate rooms. However, my son is getting antsy to have his boa in his room which is also where the balls are kept.

I have gotten all 3 boas from three very reputable breeders and I feel that giving them a 9-12 month QT period is sufficient. Also, all of the boas were captive bred and born from long lines of captive bred and born snakes.

I really think that the breeder and breeding has everything to do with the level of trust that you are getting a healthy snake. Couple that with an extremely long QT period, and I feel okay with the choice that I am making.

I'm just doing a regular quarantine which so far it's been a month and a half. He's gonna come out soon. They can live for years with IDB and I doubt I will be able to keep up quarantine for the rest of his life. It's just a risk you have to take if you want a boa. Getting from a reliable source always helps.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by starmom

I own both species and I house them in separate rooms. However, my son is getting antsy to have his boa in his room which is also where the balls are kept.

I have gotten all 3 boas from three very reputable breeders and I feel that giving them a 9-12 month QT period is sufficient. Also, all of the boas were captive bred and born from long lines of captive bred and born snakes.

I really think that the breeder and breeding has everything to do with the level of trust that you are getting a healthy snake. Couple that with an extremely long QT period, and I feel okay with the choice that I am making.

---

So two months is definitely too short, huh? :(

This is just me, but my balls are a huge investment (money that could/should have been dumped in my IRA). I won't risk their health for anything (I own NO other snake species). If I just had a few as pets, things may be different.

Just my feelings on it, but everyone has different goals.

JonV

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nevohraalnavnoj

This is just me, but my balls are a huge investment (money that could/should have been dumped in my IRA). I won't risk their health for anything (I own NO other snake species). If I just had a few as pets, things may be different.

Just my feelings on it, but everyone has different goals.

JonV

---

But don't some of the top Ball Python breeders also breed Boas? Maybe it's not THAT big of a risk.

Hi,

I seem to recall reading a post that claimed some breeders will intentionally expose a male bp to their boa collection to try and detect IBD much like miners used to use canary to detect gas.

It may be nothing more than an inaccurate rumour though.


dr del