Dumeril's Boa?

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Originally Posted by Penultimate

Oooh, the super show? Jealous! I so want to go, but I can't!

I've seen some Dumeril's at expos before. Just something to consider... you're still pretty new to owning snakes, it seems. You just got Cake recently, didn't you? These boas get fairly large, and are very strong (I've seen adult females in person and handled them). Do you really think you're ready for that kind of step up? If I were you, I would stick to the ball pythons for a bit. I truly think you should take a step back and think a little more before you get another snake, especially something with the potential to grow so large. Another thing... do you have the means to do a proper quarantine? I know you got your first ball python recently, and buying more snakes right now without a proper quarantine is not the best idea. A new owner shouldn't have to deal with RIs or mites in all of their snakes, so quarantine is incredibly important. Why not stick to owning ball pythons for a few months before you do anything more? I see no problem with getting a few more balls if you quarantine. You're still getting used to the behavior of a ball python from the looks of things. I will be the first to admit I expanded my collection a bit too quickly, and I had a few headaches as a result. Everything ended up being resolved, but the added stress is not fun. There are advantages to staying small for a bit. You can reduce feeding costs and really get to know your animals. If you're absolutely sure you're ready and you quarantine, I won't try to stop you from expanding your collection. I just feel like you should think about this a little bit first. :)

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It's never a bad idea to move slowly into large constrictors. That being said, if you believe that you can manage the size increase, I'm sure you would do just fine with a boa. It takes at least 3-4 years before boas achieve large adult sizes. IMO this gives you plenty of time to learn the snakes personality, habits, and grow yourself as a large snake herper. In my entire collection over the years, my boas have always been the most pleasant to own. They are always the most consistent eaters, tolerant of handling and healthy. Just be prepared that in a few years you will need to provide at minimum a 4x2x1 enclosure for them as adults, and be feeding jumbo rats, maybe rabbits. If you can handle the size parameters and feeding, you will do just fine. There is a big difference between jumping from bps to a boa, and going from a bp to a burm or retic.

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

It's never a bad idea to move slowly into large constrictors. That being said, if you believe that you can manage the size increase, I'm sure you would do just fine with a boa. It takes at least 3-4 years before boas achieve large adult sizes. IMO this gives you plenty of time to learn the snakes personality, habits, and grow yourself as a large snake herper. In my entire collection over the years, my boas have always been the most pleasant to own. They are always the most consistent eaters, tolerant of handling and healthy. Just be prepared that in a few years you will need to provide at minimum a 4x2x1 enclosure for them as adults, and be feeding jumbo rats, maybe rabbits. If you can handle the size parameters and feeding, you will do just fine. There is a big difference between jumping from bps to a boa, and going from a bp to a burm or retic.

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I completely agree, it's not the biggest jump possible. I just feel like it's important to consider sticking with the ball pythons for a bit, especially if the ball pythons currently owned are still babies. There's also taking into consideration that you want to really learn your ball husbandry before adding something else. In the end, you make a valid point and I respect that. However, I feel that the OP would do best considering both the advantages and drawbacks of a Dumeril's. :)

Thanks for the advice for both of you, I really appreciate it! I'm not 100% on getting a baby Dumeril's Boa anytime soon until after I move into my own house (which will be in over a year), which was part of my plan- technically. But if I'm insane and go to the reptile super show and see a nice Dumeril's Boa baby... ahaaaa.

That said though, I'm totally aware of a Dumeril's size, caging needs, and husbandry. =) I'm also aware that they're relatively small and slow-growing for a larger species, taking 3~4 years to fully mature, which is why I was considering one so soon. I'd have a bit more experience with herps and moved into my own home by the time 3 years have passed and they actually reach a measurable size that would have been too hard for me to handle right off the bat... so by then, I'm not right off the bat anymore, if you know what I mean. LOL

I'm incredibly thorough with researching any animal before obtaining one, though like you said, there's no doubt I'll come across some issues or questions along the way after I do own one.

I really appreciate you sharing your experiences! Definitely good to know in the long-run, either way. I'm not at all 100% sold on getting a Dumeril ASAP within the next month or anything, but... it is coming. And if I'm insane, maybe half a year?

(For the record, Blackout isn't quite a baby BP anymore- I found out that she's 470g, weighed yesterday :P And very easy for me to handle/getting a gauge on her temperament, despite the hissing in the tub. Haha!)

Those snakes are SO PRETTY! I love how you get a series of flowers along the back where the patterns on each side usually line up. Rich coloring too.

Do they move like regular boas? I've never seen one actually held - considering how broad and heavy they seem to get (overfed??), I'm not really surprised.

I found them very distracting for a while too. Personally, before committing to one, that is a species that I would want to interact with a bit first - like at a show.

They are basically BCIs that get a bit more girthy and prefer to bury in substrate. I've handled many and always loved them.

Boas are addicting. It's absolutely a commitment, but in my view they are more rewarding than a bp.

And yes, dumerils move very similarly to a regular BCI. Slow and steady.

If you have that much time to wait, go for it! Another year and I think you'll be all good. Before you take the plunge, though, I would try and see if you can meet a big adult female sometime. They are much bigger than they look in pictures or what you read about.

On another note, Blackout sounds a lot like my favorite ball python girl... always hisses when you take her out at first and then starts moving all over and doesn't give you another problem. Funny, mine is a cinnamon fire. Maybe it's something with the 8 ball complex, haha.