Was it a sign???

Sounds like this wasn't meant to be, but BOA all the way! I love Behira to death. Coolest snake ever, as long as a crazy feed response doesn't scare you and you are happy to hook train!

BOA! BOA! BOA! BOA! BOA!

Seriously, I love my BP and my Corn snake, but Behira is the most curious, bravest, most docile/personable combo, and beautiful, snake I've ever had.

If you, or your girlfriend are worried about a BCI getting too big, either get a Dwarf species, or if it were me, I would get a male BCI.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

So I'm sure many of you saw that my Craigslist deal fell through, so no new enclosures...and no boa.

This has me thinking it fell through for a reason, maybe like a "sign from the snake gods", hahaha. But seriously, I wonder if it fell through for a reason...

As many of you know, my limitations have been updated to include slightly bigger snakes than my girlfriends previous 5 foot rule.
So I've been thinking boa or bredlis/carpet pythons. Well, I think this is a sign that I should go python, be it bredlis or carpet.
I guess I'm weird like that and see things like this situation and say "it wasn't meant to be". So I'm reading further into it and thinking maybe I should stay python exclusive (with my colubrid exceptions). I'm thinking more than ever I want a Bredli or a carpet, so maybe that's my next two. After that, I'll be just about maxed out, but will maybe have room to add a second of whichever my favorite species ends up being...

Just my thoughts at this point. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts if you'd like.

Thanks for reading...

---

I'm a big believer in things happen for a reason, or the best. I can be a bit superstitious and a big fan of karma. So yes for the best. Hopefully you’ll get what you truly want, wishing you the best man.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alter-Echo

Craigslist is a terrible place to get animals, most are poorly cared for and the owners tend to be.... not so classy, so I think you should still get a boa, just from a more reputable source.

---

I don't agree that CL is a terrible place for animals. I got 7 of my 9 snakes from CL and am very happy about my transactions. I even made two new friends.

I do agree that many are poorly cared for. As far as classy, who am I to judge? I’m just an old Redneck that loves animals. I have no claims to class myself. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Valyrian

I'm thinking of getting a baby female BCI, I've got everything I need from when my Burm was younger. What's the growth rate like from year to year?

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

---

Valyrian,

They grow way slower than Burms. Takes them, when properly fed (meaning less is more), 4-6 years to reach adult size. More towards the latter end of that.

Behira is 2 years old this month. She was 430G or so when I got her in October, 2017, at 1 year and 3 months. Now, 9 months later, She's 920G dry. Much longer and thicker too.

However, given that she will weigh somewhere between 5,000-8,000 grams as an adult, give or take, she's got a long way to go. She puts about 25-30% of each meal towards growth.

I feed 75-90G small rats every two weeks now. When I go to mediums, when she is absolutely ready and can take no problem, she will eat every 3 weeks. Larges, every 3-4+.

Many documented issues with feeding Boas too much, especially as babies/juveniles. They tend to outgrow their organs and die young. As adults, less is still more, as they can get obese easily and will rarely refuse a meal. Obese animals tend to live 1/2 or less of a healthy adult. A healthy, slow grown BCI, should live 20-30 years.

Anyway, slow growers, but substantial snake for sure by year 3-4. I chose a juvenile over a baby because she well established, and the breeder had held her back and worked with her, so he knew her personality, etc. I got her from a rather small breeder.

Cant go wrong with either a boa or carpet but personally, i say everyone should own at least one boa. They are pretty laid back and usually happy to just sit on you. Then there is dumerils who are extra happy to sit on you....for hours lol. Luna is in heaven if i plop her down on me and throw a blanket over us. She will sit with her head poked out for hours just relaxing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dakski

.............Coolest snake ever, as long as a crazy feed response doesn't scare you and you are happy to hook train!...................
.

---

My Boas are so laid back that hook training has never entered my mind. Now I got them as adults, but life may be easier with using a hook with a youngster. As a hook WAS necessary with my young Olive Python.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dakski

Valyrian,

They grow way slower than Burms. Takes them, when properly fed (meaning less is more), 4-6 years to reach adult size. More towards the latter end of that.

Behira is 2 years old this month. She was 430G or so when I got her in October, 2017, at 1 year and 3 months. Now, 9 months later, She's 920G dry. Much longer and thicker too.

However, given that she will weigh somewhere between 5,000-8,000 grams as an adult, give or take, she's got a long way to go. She puts about 25-30% of each meal towards growth.

I feed 75-90G small rats every two weeks now. When I go to mediums, when she is absolutely ready and can take no problem, she will eat every 3 weeks. Larges, every 3-4+.

Many documented issues with feeding Boas too much, especially as babies/juveniles. They tend to outgrow their organs and die young. As adults, less is still more, as they can get obese easily and will rarely refuse a meal. Obese animals tend to live 1/2 or less of a healthy adult. A healthy, slow grown BCI, should live 20-30 years.

Anyway, slow growers, but substantial snake for sure by year 3-4. I chose a juvenile over a baby because she well established, and the breeder had held her back and worked with her, so he knew her personality, etc. I got her from a rather small breeder.

---

Yeah I've held a yearling Boa and I think that's a good size to start with. It was crazy strong compared to my Burm at that size too. Are Boas more active compared to Burms considering they're more arboreal? My Burm is really lazy until I get her out, kinda like a big Ball python.

I love the look of the Argentine Boas.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reinz

My Boas are so laid back that hook training has never entered my mind. Now I got them as adults, but life may be easier with using a hook with a youngster. As a hook WAS necessary with my young Olive Python.

---

Behira is totally laid back too....once out and after being rubbed a few times with the hook so she knows food isn't coming. LOL.

Seriously, it's Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. If she even thinks food is possible - watch out! The rest of the time, total puppy dog. Once I show her the hook, and rub her a couple times, I can reach in and pick her up without a problem, every time.

No hook = could go either way.

The one incident I had, she was thinking food, and I just grabbed her as I normally used to. She nailed me quick, but let go almost immediately, was sorry and disappointed there was no rat, and let me pick her right up.

She doesn't have a mean or aggressive bone in her body. She is the calmest and most docile snake I have. The most predictable. However, and again, thinking food on any level, I need that hook to snap her out of it and get to her the Behira I know and love.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Apiratenamedjohn

sure the animal might have been mistreated, but in no way is that the animals fault. and in no way do I see that making them second anything.

---

I agree. There's such a feeling of accomplishment to take in a snake that really needs a break. The only BCI I've kept was an unwanted yearling...re-homed
multiple times for biting but I don't scare easily OR give up. And how scary can a yearling BCI be anyway? geez...

But while I took her in happily, I never sought to keep a boa because most get larger than what I wanted to handle, even back then. I assumed that I'd just
calm her down & eventually find her another home. I also had a houseful of snakes already, but she had nowhere to go and I'm a big "softie". (shh!)

She was said to be a Mexican BCI, dark in color...beautiful I thought, but such a biter. Just self-defense, she was scared, & every new home made it worse.
My patience paid off- I never let her bite me & after the first 2 mos. she no longer wanted to. I actually hoped she'd stay on the small size...she loved to be
handled & would cuddle around my waist watching movies for hours & fight to stay out longer, lol. But finally after 12 years I found a really good new owner
for her, & since she was 7 1/2' long & still growing (age 13), it was the right thing for us both. (I can still visit her...:)) In all her years with me, I never got
one bite from her & she also did great meeting other people on a few occasions. A wonderful snake with an infallible appetite & iridescent like crazy in the sun.

Sometimes a pet that is rejected by others turns out to be awesome. You never know. Just like some horses are only for experienced riders...

Thanks for chiming in all. I haven't made up my mind yet, and will most likely decide boa or bredli/carpet kinda on the fly. I'm prepared for either, quarantine setup is ready (two size enclosures just in case) for a hatchling or neonate or something yearling or subadult, and my eyes and ears are open. I think I'm heading to the Manchester Expo in a few weeks, so maybe I'll find something there that just "feels" right. Maybe not...
Anyway, time will tell...

Continue to chime in, I like hearing different opinions.
Thanks all.