Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI

She’s looking great after that shed


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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

She’s looking great after that shed


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Thanks Richardhind1972!

I am usually more attracted to color morphs (Shayna is an albino, Figment is purple and pink, and the geckos are bright orange, pink, and pink and yellow), but Behira looks different than anything I have. I had looked at Sunglows and Hypos, but Behira stood out. She is such an awesome snake, I have zero regrets, and frankly, think she is really beautiful in a more subtle way.

She was in her "light phase" for those pictures too. Nice light/tan head. Sometimes, her head can be almost jet black.

Forgot one picture (not with macro lens, but still cool).

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...-_no_macro.jpg

The lighter coloured snakes are definitely just as nice as the darker ones,
she is so nice really glad she’s not took a chunk again since , fingers crossed it stays that way especially as she gets bigger


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

The lighter coloured snakes are definitely just as nice as the darker ones,
she is so nice really glad she’s not took a chunk again since , fingers crossed it stays that way especially as she gets bigger


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Between the drape, the hook training, offering her food first, and the long tongs, absolutely zero issues. She hasn't even hit the doors since the drape went up. I do offer her food first and fast and that seems to help.

Obviously, not fun to get bit by anything, but I am about 100% sure that she has zero aggression in her and that was a total feeding response bite. Hence, the hook training working so well!

She is so calm and confident when out. Not head shy, not squirmy, etc.

Really, she's totally awesome, and I can't wait until she's a nice, calm, and curious, big girl!

That’s good then,sounds like the patience and hard work is definitely paying off.
It’s great when they are adult and there just a nice solid muscular snake who is really relaxed when out and about with you


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Originally Posted by dakski

She was in her "light phase" for those pictures too. Nice light/tan head. Sometimes, her head can be almost jet black.

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Hypos can have really cool color changes, especially on the head. I've always liked that about them.

Behira is looking fantastic!

Behira has grown faster than I expected. She was about 430G when I got her in the beginning of October of 2017. I was expecting her to be about 750G after she pooped the other day.

She is 805G! Still feeding small rats (usually 70-80G now) every two weeks and will move to every 3 weeks with medium rats.

She looks amazing after her recent shed and is doing great! Her temperament is fantastic and she seems to "enjoy" being out more than any of the snakes. She's curious and never wants to go back in her tank!


Behira chilling with dad (and his grumpy face - sorry):

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Behira in the blanket:

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It’s really fun when they want to be out so often.

But I have to admit that sometimes I’m not in the mood and let them out due to a sense of obligation or I cave into the sad looks they give. But then I am quickly enjoying them and having fun and so glad I caved in. [emoji4]

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Butch doing his pull-ups.

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Punch looking over some bedtime reading

Reinz,

Really nice looking Boas!

They seem to be having a blast!

Gotta love Boa Play Time, huh? Great personalities!

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Originally Posted by dakski

Reinz,

Really nice looking Boas!

They seem to be having a blast!

Gotta love Boa Play Time, huh? Great personalities!

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Thanks! I really enjoy all of my snakes, it’s so hard to pick favorites. I’ll just say my favorite is the one I have out at the moment.

But I gotta say, there is just something about Boas that make them special, a Jen Ne sais quoi!
:)

Feeding day was yesterday.

I fed Behira first, but she was nailing the acrylic doors as soon as I took the drape down. I got the rat in quickly and she nailed it and she gobbled it up.

I guess that's just the way it's going to be. At least she doesn't strike anymore when I walk by!

Just keep persaviering and hopefully she will settle back down again soon

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Just keep persaviering and hopefully she will settle back down again soon

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Thanks Richardhind1972! She's fine with the lights on and does great with the drape being up and with the hook training. She's a total sweetheart after she sees/feels the hook and I take her out.

I am worried about her hurting herself as she gets bigger and stronger, but not sure what I can do, except, as you say, keep persevering. Honestly, the idea of a big female BCI nailing the acrylic when hungry doesn't seem like fun to me either, but I am more worried about her than scared for myself. She shows zero aggression, but man, does she have a strong feeding response! Never had a snake like this!

Thank you again for all the support and I'll keep everyone in the loop.

Had my niece, Meghan, over, and she loves the reptiles and is getting to know Behira better. She says she cannot wait until she is "HUGE!"

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...ira_-_4-18.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...a_-_4-18_2.jpg

Glad she was chilled for her


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Glad she was chilled for her


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LOL, which one?

Behira is 100% Chill City once out of her tank. No worries at all. I was also 1 1/2 feet away and supervising.

Meghan is excellent with the reptiles and very respectful with zero fear. She has been allowed to see, then touch, and ultimately hold Shayna, my BP (who is essentially a therapy animal) since she was 2. So calm, it's not even funny! Aside from occasional in tank antics, Behira is very similar when out of the tank.

Yeah, I am glad they are bonding and excited that Meghan is looking forward to Behira being a big girl. She can't wait, as opposed to being afraid.

I've been working with Meghan on redirecting the snakes and being gentle moving them where she wants them to go. She used to hold and I would do the redirecting. She's becoming a real snake handler.

She likes to put the animals back in their tanks, but asks for help for Shayna and Behira as they are heavy for her.

Two delightful young ladies in the pictures!

I think it’s great to get the younger generation involved in reptiles , my 4yr old granddaughter loves my snakes she at the stage she wants them on her knee too now, but it’s quite surprising how heavy a 2yr old boa can be with being sold muscle as you say, good luck with training her up to help you out when she’s round and perhaps one day you will be able to help choose her own


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

I think it’s great to get the younger generation involved in reptiles , my 4yr old granddaughter loves my snakes she at the stage she wants them on her knee too now, but it’s quite surprising how heavy a 2yr old boa can be with being sold muscle as you say, good luck with training her up to help you out when she’s round and perhaps one day you will be able to help choose her own


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Thanks Richardhind1972. Both her and her younger brother Christopher (he's 4 1/2, Meghan is 7) are interested and definitely not afraid. However, Meghan in particular, and since she was very young, has always been curious and interested in animals. She loves the dogs, but is especially fascinated with the reptiles (snakes in particular). We were actually at her house tonight for a few minutes. She told me, Shayna is still her favorite, because yellow is her favorite color (my Albino Spider BP), but Behira is now her second favorite.

She asked, "Will you tell me when she's really big so I can come see her?"

I explained that she's still a baby snake and that it will take a while (years) for her to be huge, but once she is, she will be like that her entire adult life, which is a long time.

Meghan was relieved, as if she might have missed the opportunity to see her huge otherwise :).

Frankly, since Meghan's parents have a parrot and a moody cat, I think they are quite happy letting her play with my reptiles instead! She's welcome anytime and they live about 30 minutes away.

I think she will probably ask some day, but the important thing is that she's curious and involved with them at 7. She's growing into a precocious young woman who isn't afraid of reptiles and really enjoys them. That can't be bad.

She can be very direct though. When Katie and I took her to the reptile show near us, she walked right up to a guy selling Beta Fish and asked, "Why are you selling fish here? They aren't reptiles you know."

Caught Behira in her dark phase tonight and got a cool selfie with her as well (with both of us looking bad to the bone, if I can say so myself).

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil..._-_4-29-18.jpg


https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil..._-_4-29-18.jpg

Those are good pics. :)

Congrats! What a nice looking snake!!:)

Great pics , both got a good tash,lol

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Got some outside pictures with Behira today. The sun was going down, but her colors look very nice even in dimming sunlight. I'll get some more when it's nice again and Katie can help. She got home late tonight.

Behira freaked out when I first took her outside. She was overwhelmed with smells, breeze, etc. (it was 80F). She seemed nervous, but calmed right down when I picked her up. She realized it was okay and I wasn't going to leave her in this strange and foreign environment. :)

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil..._-_outside.jpg

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1. I was away on business (with Katie accompanying) Thursday last week until late, late, Monday night/Tuesday morning (was supposed to get home on Sunday night). I spent most of yesterday cleaning up tanks and hanging with the crew. I had a dog/house sitter who checked temps etc. and I fed the geckos and Frank before I left (the snakes were due to eat yesterday, but it ended up being today). Anyway, I took Behira out yesterday and I swear, she's bigger every time I take her out after letting her be, or being away, for a few days!

Some pictures below!

2. Behira happily gobbled up a 90G F/T small rat today (I usually feed a little smaller, but that's what was left in the bag, and she's over 850G est. now and handled it easily).

I tried something new to try to prevent her striking at the acrylic doors. I put the keys for the door locks in this afternoon, well before feeding and the lights go out.

When I fed her, I took the drape off quickly, while I had the rat on the tongs, opened the tank quick, and offered. She grabbed it immediately. However, she did not strike at anything but the rat.

Don't know if this is a long-term solution, or if I got lucky. However, fumbling with the keys does not help calm her down when she wants food!

I'll keep everyone in the loop.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...anket_5-18.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...chair_5-18.jpg

Nice looking girl.
Question, do they get hurt when they strike glass or an acrylic door?

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Originally Posted by RickyNY

Nice looking girl.
Question, do they get hurt when they strike glass or an acrylic door?

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They can. Behira bent teeth on two separate occasions.

However, they fell out on there own.

Behira weighed in at 940G two days ago. However, although she passed urate and urine, she hasn't pooped in a month. I am guessing she is closer to 870G or so, but is due to eat this Tuesday.

She is doing great overall and is still a total sweetheart.

Here are some cool pictures (all from the past couple of days except for the comparison shot with my friend from April and May).

My friend Mike with Behira on April 8th 2018


https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...ira_4-4-18.jpg

Mike with Behira on 5-13-18


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Behira with Dad Chillin Selfie

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NO! NO! Behira! I said BACK IN CAGE! BACK IN!

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Never Underestimate The Power of the Dark Phase!

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Behira Getting Some Rays Through the Door as the Sun Goes Down

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil..._-_5-18-18.jpg

Looking great dakski


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Behira left me a nice, smelly, present, last night. I cleaned her tank and weighed her today. 890G! She eats Tuesday and is 2 years old next month. Again, doing fantastic!

Also, she and Katie got some bonding time while I was tank cleaning.

Behira loves Katie's hair and had a ball with her "bun" today! "Climbing opportunity!"

Really nice to see them spending some quality time and bonding. Katie spent time with Frank (held him and he ate out of her hand), Figment, Shayna, and Behira today. She's usually stressed during the week and not interested in helping with or holding them. Today she was relaxed and wanted to spend time with them. I love times like this, when we can bond with them together.

For me, it's usually stress release to take them out.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...18-18_890g.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...-18_890g_2.png

Behira is getting Llllooooooooonnnngggg!

Pardon the phone pictures, but she is growing fast, and these pictures emphasize the length.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...rtial_body.jpg


https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...two_chairs.jpg

Keep on growing Behira!!:snake:

How long is she, 5 footish?

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Originally Posted by Reinz

How long is she, 5 footish?

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No idea. I don't think she's too much over 4ft, but she barely ever stretches out and I haven't measured her.

All I know is she's 2X the weight plus of when I got her, she never refuses a meal, and she's doing great! Definitely adding girth too.

Any advice on measuring a BCI?

My Boas as well as the other snakes are always on the move when they are out too. Every now and then they will stretch out in somewhat of a straight line. I just try to make a mental point of where those head and tail points are and try to measure as quick as I can before I forget and also before the snake gets into trouble.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a6fc57314a.jpg
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Then sometimes they will stretch out in their cage which makes it fairly easy to guesstimate as well.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...716771ee1d.jpg

The first pic measured out to 8 feet which confirmed my guesstimation of the third pic - with Lizzy stretched out she easily makes it end to end of the 6 foot cage with 2 feet to spare.

Outside pictures today!

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/MHB0yrS.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/JLFp9ec.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/qlbdfte.jpg[/IMG]

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[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/wGAIn8Z.jpg[/IMG]

AND FINALLY - DAD!!!!!!! Don't put be back! I want to play outside more!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/qdYfwQ3.jpg[IMG]

That last pic reminds me of my big boy, Punch. The guy who had him before me did not cage him. He was a free ranger, so he never wants to go back in his cage. And whenever I walk into the room he begs to come out. This makes cleaning and changing water a huge challenge, because when that door drops he IS coming out, whether I wish it or not.

Had Behira out for a bit tonight. She feel asleep on my chest. Katie got some pictures. Below is the best one.

I know she has a long way to go, but she's getting big.

She's so calm and docile. She had a dog hair in her mouth from my shirt. She let me reach up and gently remove it. Then she feel asleep on me for a while. When I woke her and went to put her back, she kept trying to get back out of her tank. She literally rubbed her head and neck up and down the acrylic door of her tank, practically begging to come out again, until I covered it with her drape. She's a character.

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/SzxZy6q.jpg[/IMG]

My mother used to be petrified of snakes. Literally couldn't even hear the word without freaking out!

When I was ten years old, she became open to the idea of me having a pet snake as she realized a lot of her fear was based in anxiety and past experiences. She got the point where I was able to have a pet snake when I got older (but was still living in her house) and would happily hold and interact with calm snakes.

She likes all my current pet reptiles. Figment, the corn, moves a little fast for her, but she still holds him, even though it makes her a little nervous. Shayna (the BP) and Behira are both super docile and, for the most part, slow moving, so she loves holding them. She doesn't mind the Leopard Geckos, but isn't crazy about Frank the BTS. She says he looks prehistoric and although he doesn't scare her, and she will pet him, she usually doesn't want to hold him.

Anyway, here are some pictures of my mom with Behira from yesterday:

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/nsEJivA.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/7op30Sw.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/U38qkYZ.jpg[/IMG]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

My mother used to be petrified of snakes. Literally couldn't even hear the word without freaking out!

When I was ten years old, she became open to the idea of me having a pet snake as she realized a lot of her fear was based in anxiety and past experiences. She got the point where I was able to have a pet snake when I got older (but was still living in her house) and would happily hold and interact with calm snakes.

She likes all my current pet reptiles. Figment, the corn, moves a little fast for her, but she still holds him, even though it makes her a little nervous. Shayna (the BP) and Behira are both super docile and, for the most part, slow moving, so she loves holding them. She doesn't mind the Leopard Geckos, but isn't crazy about Frank the BTS. She says he looks prehistoric and although he doesn't scare her, and she will pet him, she usually doesn't want to hold him.

Anyway, here are some pictures of my mom with Behira from yesterday:

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/nsEJivA.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/7op30Sw.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/U38qkYZ.jpg[/IMG]

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yo momma is BA! and make sure she knows that! most people don't even look at snakes, let alone hold one! her getting out of her comfort zone WITH A SNAKE is more than most people her age can say! she's awesome!!!

Looks like behira enjoyed sometime with mum and vice versa, nice to see when people have overcome their fears

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Behira managed to poop and pee in one water bowl and pee in the in other one. Had some fun disinfecting and cleaning those.

She weighed in at 920G tonight, dry. Growing nicely.

Also got a good picture. She was very much in a light phase tonight. Usually has some dark, if not a lot of dark, especially on her face lately. Nice to see the change.

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/4MzecR8.jpg[/IMG]

My buddy came over today. He lives about 3 hours away and hasn't been here since the week after I got Behira (10-17). Needless to say, he likes the reptiles, and was amazed and how much the little lady has grown.

Dan with Behira - 10-17 - Behira about 440G

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/2YHHFlI.jpg[/IMG]

Dan with Behira today - 6-3-18 - Behira at 920G

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/qqGVlJx.jpg[/IMG]

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[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/bzitSUN.jpg[/IMG]

Got a few good shots of me and Behira after she was a reptile ambassador today. She, along with Shayna, Figment, Cleo, and Frank, helped turn two very anxious and nervous and not too reptile friendly young women, into reptile fans! For good measure, I included one shot of the young ladies with Behira.

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/vKygW6G.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Cd10eVd.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/3V1i0Rn.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/c9QXPiK.jpg[/IMG]

Another look how she's growing post!

First picture is her after her first shed with us (10-17).

Second picture is her in the same container today (6-18). I think I need a new container to hold her in when I clean her tank!

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...3/img_0870.jpg

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/X7yXUmv.jpg[/IMG]

Yep definitely increased in girth and length looking at them comparison pics, there's still a bit more room in there for a while,it's never for long time while your cleaning is it

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Yep definitely increased in girth and length looking at them comparison pics, there's still a bit more room in there for a while,it's never for long time while your cleaning is it

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Yeah. She went from about 450g to about 940g from picture one to picture two.

I still have her on small rats every two weeks. They are 70-90g. Just opened a new bag and most are in the 70-85g range. That should slow her a bit. Lol. Slow grown is where it’s at.

I will not switch to mediums (and every 3 weeks) until she can very easily take one. So it will be a bit.

Absolutely stunning. I've enjoyed seeing how Behira has progressed.

Question on size since I've been researching getting my 1st BOA for the past 6 months. I think I would like to stick to a BOA at the same size as Behira (at least in terms of thickness). Would that put me in the category of a Dwarf Boa or are there male BCIs that would stay about this size. It would be great to see some adults in person to get an visual appreciation how big a dwarf, BCI and a BCC can get. I've been to several Repticons but unfortunately it's only ever babies for sale and I don't want to be that sucker who is told this Boa will only ever get 5 feet and then x years later it's 10 feet ;)

Do you expect to keep her on rats the rest of her life or will you have to go bigger?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Absolutely stunning. I've enjoyed seeing how Behira has progressed.

Question on size since I've been researching getting my 1st BOA for the past 6 months. I think I would like to stick to a BOA at the same size as Behira (at least in terms of thickness). Would that put me in the category of a Dwarf Boa or are there male BCIs that would stay about this size. It would be great to see some adults in person to get an visual appreciation how big a dwarf, BCI and a BCC can get. I've been to several Repticons but unfortunately it's only ever babies for sale and I don't want to be that sucker who is told this Boa will only ever get 5 feet and then x years later it's 10 feet ;)

Do you expect to keep her on rats the rest of her life or will you have to go bigger?

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There are some really nice locality boas that stay around 5ft and some of the dwarf locality like a Mexican tarahumara boas that stay around 4ft as adults ,
My hypo Nicaraguan is 3 this weekend and is just shy of 5ft, she's fed small rats every two weeks as this locality is not a girthy boa she will probably end up on mediums every 3 eeks eventually, her mum was about the same size as her , this is her tonight on my arm

Sorry to jump on your thread daksi
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Quote:

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Absolutely stunning. I've enjoyed seeing how Behira has progressed.

Question on size since I've been researching getting my 1st BOA for the past 6 months. I think I would like to stick to a BOA at the same size as Behira (at least in terms of thickness). Would that put me in the category of a Dwarf Boa or are there male BCIs that would stay about this size. It would be great to see some adults in person to get an visual appreciation how big a dwarf, BCI and a BCC can get. I've been to several Repticons but unfortunately it's only ever babies for sale and I don't want to be that sucker who is told this Boa will only ever get 5 feet and then x years later it's 10 feet ;)

Do you expect to keep her on rats the rest of her life or will you have to go bigger?

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To be safe, I would stay with locality dwarf boas, like Richardhind1972 said.

They stay smaller than a BCI.

To be clear, Behira is a BCI. BCC's tend to be larger, but 99% of the morphs for sale are BCI's or dwarf boas. True BCC's are labeled as such and by locality and if you are getting from a reputable breeder, they should know the difference.

I can't comment on the dwarf boas beyond what Richardhind1972 said, but from what I know, they do stay small, much smaller than BCI's.

Figure a male BCI will be 5-6FT on average - maybe 7FT, but generally weigh 5-8 pounds (depending on length and girth, etc. and they can be heavier - giving averages here). A female BCI will average 6-7FT+ and be much heavier bodied. A healthy adult female at 7FT is closer to 12-15 pounds or more. 20-25 pounds is not out of the question, but again, figure 15-20 pounds give or take.

If you google male and female BCI - you will see images of them breeding or next to each other. The females are 2X the size of the males often.

Now, keep in mind, Behira is just over 2 pounds now. She has a lot of growing to do.

She eats small rats now (70-90G). I expect to feed large rats when she is full grown (300-400G tops). Bigger rats are too fatty and not good for her. Also, Boa metabolisms are really slow, especially as adults, and a 7,000G BCI will be able to sustain weight on a 300G rat every 3-5 weeks. If I need to feed every 3-4, but smaller meals, I will likely do that versus moving up to Rabbits, etc. which are harder for me to get.

A lean, healthy, BCI is much better than a heavy/overweight BCI. A healthy BCI should live 20-30 years, vs. easily half that or less for a heavy BCI or one that was grown too fast.

I can't speak to the temperament of the dwarf species, but BCI's in general, and especially if handled when young and consistently as adults, are usually super docile. They do have very strong food responses, so I recommend hook training any boa that's going to be over 5FT for sure. However, once the hook touches Behira and she lets me pick her up. She's a total sweetheart. Tamest, most predictable, bravest, and most docile, snake I have. She also take redirection really well and is very compliant.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

Another look how she's growing post!

First picture is her after her first shed with us (10-17).

Second picture is her in the same container today (6-18). I think I need a new container to hold her in when I clean her tank!

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...3/img_0870.jpg

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/X7yXUmv.jpg[/IMG]

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Looks good. She has grown a lot.

I generally can leave the boas unattended while cleaning their cages. The BP and retic, not a chance. I turn my head and Dottie is halfway across the room cruising around and Caesar is busy trying to find something to break. Luckily, Pat is pretty happy on a perch so i can just prop it up somewhere and he is happy lol.