redtail deal or not?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Emsbuff124

i will thanks guys
im bringing her home on friday ill post more pictures then
any idea how big she will get?
i know its anywhere from 6-14
guy said she's full grown but i dont think so

---

If she is only 3 she is still growing. Suriname boas, and other boa that are BCC grow larger, typically but at a slower rate than the average Colombian BCI.

6.5 - 9 feet is what I would expect. A ten foot female BCC is a very large snake and somewhat the exception and not the rule and anything larger is quite rare. Feed conservatively and study the husbandry of BCC.

That nice, lateral compression or "loaf" shape is a beautiful trait boas exhibit and it is even more prominent in Suriname boas.

that's a beauty and a great deal!
I agree with GoingPostal, average 8-10'

Now stupid question, and I'm only going off of what I've seen on cover your ears "YouTube" and some books
but what would a full grown Suriname female weigh?
I know Brian gunndy had "big mamma" and she weighed close to 50lbs and then I've seen some petstore red tails coming in at 30-40lbs
i been doing a lot of consideration for her and it's not a bad move given that she has the cage and everything to go.
God forbid down the road I can no longer house her or the wife puts her foot down I can always find her a loving home because she is a true redtail verse a cross or "mut"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Emsbuff124

Now stupid question, and I'm only going off of what I've seen on cover your ears "YouTube" and some books
but what would a full grown Suriname female weigh?
I know Brian gunndy had "big mamma" and she weighed close to 50lbs and then I've seen some petstore red tails coming in at 30-40lbs
i been doing a lot of consideration for her and it's not a bad move given that she has the cage and everything to go.
God forbid down the road I can no longer house her or the wife puts her foot down I can always find her a loving home because she is a true redtail verse a cross or "mut"

---

They can get up to a pretty impressive size. I would plan on having to pick up a 60"x30"x18" PVC enclosure for her after a few years. Even if she doesn't get huge she will make use of the space.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Emsbuff124

Now stupid question, and I'm only going off of what I've seen on cover your ears "YouTube" and some books
but what would a full grown Suriname female weigh?
I know Brian gunndy had "big mamma" and she weighed close to 50lbs and then I've seen some petstore red tails coming in at 30-40lbs
i been doing a lot of consideration for her and it's not a bad move given that she has the cage and everything to go.
God forbid down the road I can no longer house her or the wife puts her foot down I can always find her a loving home because she is a true redtail verse a cross or "mut"

---

If you have doubts, don't buy the animal. You need to be certain you can and will care for the animal for the course of its life. One of the biggest problems in the reptile hobby is impulse buying without the thought of long term care. I see a lot of "I just got a retic" posts, but rarely if ever see a
"Here is my 25 year old retic" type of post.

It's critical, especially with larger snakes to look 15-25 years down the road and where you picture yourself.

I'm not saying you are not looking long term, as a matter of fact because you are asking, I feel you are being cautious and that is good.

Almost EVERY snake in captivity is overfed. There is a picture in Vin Russo's THE COMPLETE BOA CONSTRICTOR of a Suriname, female BC that his friend, Gus Rentfro took. The snake is near 13 feet long (an exception) and Gus figured the animal weighed about 30-35 pounds. It was healthy, lean and muscular.

If you are careful with the feeding and don't feed too frequently, I'd honestly expect your snake to range from 30-50 pounds and top out at 8.5 - 9 feet in length. You will find you have a more active snake if you keep its weight down and make it work a bit for food.

If the owner has info on the parents it could give you an idea of where you'll see your snake end up at in terms of size.

Again, 10 foot long BCCs occur but they are not the norm. The largest snakes, healthy snakes that is, are the oldest snakes.

As a well established adult, I can say snakes are very easy pets when the basic requirements are met for keeping them.

The only thing I see you have to change down the road is caging size.

Other than that, talk to your wife figure things out and go enjoy that boa!

I agree with Gio that a 10' BCC is more of a rarity. Suris get big but they grow relatively slowly. A 50 lb boa is a true monster, and very rare. That boaphile should do you well for many years. Maybe 3-4 years from now you can assess the size of the snake relative to the enclosure and see if you need to upgrade. But for that price, with snake and cage included, you have yourself one great deal.

Why is the guy giving up the animal? Just curious.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gio

If you have doubts, don't buy the animal. You need to be certain you can and will care for the animal for the course of its life. One of the biggest problems in the reptile hobby is impulse buying without the thought of long term care. I see a lot of "I just got a retic" posts, but rarely if ever see a
"Here is my 25 year old retic" type of post.

It's critical, especially with larger snakes to look 15-25 years down the road and where you picture yourself.

I'm not saying you are not looking long term, as a matter of fact because you are asking, I feel you are being cautious and that is good.

Almost EVERY snake in captivity is overfed. There is a picture in Vin Russo's THE COMPLETE BOA CONSTRICTOR of a Suriname, female BC that his friend, Gus Rentfro took. The snake is near 13 feet long (an exception) and Gus figured the animal weighed about 30-35 pounds. It was healthy, lean and muscular.

If you are careful with the feeding and don't feed too frequently, I'd honestly expect your snake to range from 30-50 pounds and top out at 8.5 - 9 feet in length. You will find you have a more active snake if you keep its weight down and make it work a bit for food.

If the owner has info on the parents it could give you an idea of where you'll see your snake end up at in terms of size.

Again, 10 foot long BCCs occur but they are not the norm. The largest snakes, healthy snakes that is, are the oldest snakes.

As a well established adult, I can say snakes are very easy pets when the basic requirements are met for keeping them.

The only thing I see you have to change down the road is caging size.

Other than that, talk to your wife figure things out and go enjoy that boa!

---

thanks Gio I understand fully where you are coming from and it's why I ask the questions because I do think long term
it's not just a snake it's a living thing that has feelings and I wanna fully make sure the comitment I'm making before I just buy a redtail cause it's a good deal.
I also like to factor in size too and weight. My favor snake is a albino Python but it grows massive and I don't have the space or can take on the responsiblity I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JoshSloane

I agree with Gio that a 10' BCC is more of a rarity. Suris get big but they grow relatively slowly. A 50 lb boa is a true monster, and very rare. That boaphile should do you well for many years. Maybe 3-4 years from now you can assess the size of the snake relative to the enclosure and see if you need to upgrade. But for that price, with snake and cage included, you have yourself one great deal.

Why is the guy giving up the animal? Just curious.

---

he actually has 3 snakes a green tree Python a Burmese albino and the retail
he said he's getting out of the hobby because the snakes are to much work for him

Gotcha. Makes sense. I have bought snakes from people doing the same thing. Make sure to check the snake for any obvious signs of disease (mucous in mouth, wheezing when breathing, signs of mites, or feces around the vent).

Beautiful boa.
I find all boas pretty, but that one is in another category.
Something to aim for, some day.