2018 0.1 Boa Constrictor Occidentalis, Argentine Boa, Progression

This animal gets better with every passing day and I just can’t get enough of her.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ca78c7f661.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1bbb4c6b18.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...25014ae927.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmcrook

This animal gets better with every passing day and I just can’t get enough of her.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ca78c7f661.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1bbb4c6b18.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...25014ae927.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

That colour is just awsome, I lover markings too, she's really growing

Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by richardhind1972

That colour is just awsome, I lover markings too, she's really growing

Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk

---

Thank you, Richard! I'm really trying to exercise some restraint and keep my numbers in check, but I almost feel a duty to herpetoculture to get a male and possibly proliferate her phenotype in the 5th generation Maxx Pink line BCO animals. Certainly not doing anything impulsive, but I'm sure you of all people can understand why I'm tempted.

Absolutely gorgeous girl you have there.

She’s an exquisite specimen Crook! I can see why you’d want to create more of them! I really wish more keepers knew how awesome they are.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmcrook

Thank you, Richard! I'm really trying to exercise some restraint and keep my numbers in check, but I almost feel a duty to herpetoculture to get a male and possibly proliferate her phenotype in the 5th generation Maxx Pink line BCO animals. Certainly not doing anything impulsive, but I'm sure you of all people can understand why I'm tempted.

---

She's so stunning it would be almost rude not too,
I can totally understand why mate that's for sure

Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk

She's looking great, Crook! I love how much patterning she has along with those pinks. An exemplary and enviable BCO for sure!

I really feel you on the "exercise some restraint and keep numbers in check" front. I ended up having to turn down (spoiler alert!) the beautiful monster of a Honduran milk snake I was offered as a rehome recently, as I just couldn't swing the 6' cage they deserved on top of Kuzco and Pandora's imminent caging upgrades. A North Brazil BC (almost certainly) won't be happening for similar reasons. Being responsible can suck, but it's for the best. The snakes certainly seem happier (or at least snake-happier) for it. I'm sure you'll do right by your own crew in the end.

If you'd seriously like to breed her but don't want to get another snake, perhaps you could look into a breeding loan when the time is right?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WrongPython

She's looking great, Crook! I love how much patterning she has along with those pinks. An exemplary and enviable BCO for sure!

I really feel you on the "exercise some restraint and keep numbers in check" front. I ended up having to turn down (spoiler alert!) the beautiful monster of a Honduran milk snake I was offered as a rehome recently, as I just couldn't swing the 6' cage they deserved on top of Kuzco and Pandora's imminent caging upgrades. A North Brazil BC (almost certainly) won't be happening for similar reasons. Being responsible can suck, but it's for the best. The snakes certainly seem happier (or at least snake-happier) for it. I'm sure you'll do right by your own crew in the end.

If you'd seriously like to breed her but don't want to get another snake, perhaps you could look into a breeding loan when the time is right?

---

Thank you, WrongPython! I can't believe how incredible she has become over the last few years, as she literally took my breath away the day she got here and continues to amaze me.

Being responsible and keeping on top of enclosure demands/desires certainly can put a damper on things at times, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I did make a lot of investments in my snake room this year and I'm definitely enjoying the changes that I've made a whole lot.

It wouldn't be the end of the world if I never bred her and by no means do I not want another snake, actually quite the contrary haha! Just trying to keep an eye on the long game with my gang of animals. The Brisbane coastals will hopefully be paired winter of '22-'23 and if I have success I'm keeping a pair at minimum. I know I'd do the same with the Argentine(s) if that were to come to fruition as well. Numbers here would quickly double or more over a few years at that rate if not more.

Definitely not opposed to a breeding loan/collaboration with someone, but it would surely be difficult having never bred boas before (or anything atm for that matter) and not having a reputation/social media presence for a potential collaborator/loaner to vet me.

I guess it really just boils down to me having been a keeper for almost 26yrs now and not wanting to reach the end of the road and say, "really wish I'd have done this, tried that, kept those..." Little bit of FOMO coupled with "I can afford it and I have the enclosure space" puts me between a rock and a hard place. Honestly though, I'll probably stay responsible and keep the numbers here at 7 for the time being unless I encounter an opportunity too good to pass up.

Y’all. This animal is absolutely bananas. Shed out last night and seems to be getting lighter still at almost 3yrs of age. Top of her head is almost “white” now. Some of this appearance may be the later afternoon light compared to the last fresh shed pics I posted, but not overly influential in representing her coloration. Also has visibly grown a bit since the bump up to med rats at the end of May. Queen of the Castle holding it down!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c857a5b023.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...980c1a3a9c.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

She looks amazing J. She’s really growing well too.

Omg, that's one absolutely stunning boa. Them pinks are just stunning jmcrook and I love the lighter coloured head

Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk

I wasn't even aware boas could get so bright red/pinkish like that, holy cow. :omfg:

Absolute stunner she is.

Indoor lighting pictures with the floor lamp in the snake room. Absolute insanity. Having a seriously torturous internal struggle over whether or not to snap up a boyfriend for her.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...99de95231b.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...cc1f44b66d.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...dce697f1d7.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5268453be8.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

She's amazing. One of my favorite boas on the site, for sure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmcrook

... Absolute insanity. Having a seriously torturous internal struggle over whether or not to snap up a boyfriend for her...

---

I can't believe that you're actually still struggling with this decision! :rofl: How have you held off this long? She's gorgeous & one of MY faves too (fyi).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I can't believe that you're actually still struggling with this decision! :rofl: How have you held off this long? She's gorgeous & one of MY faves too (fyi).

---

Hah! It’s been tough. It’s easy to see taking on another animal while I’m on summer break, but have to remember how much time my career takes up from August to May. In a handful of years it will hopefully change a bit in the event that I receive tenure at my institution.

Also the possibility of finding alternative teaching positions and would have to move if I found a better opportunity. The thought of moving all those enclosures and animals gives me anxiety. I do have a very good gig at my university and my colleagues are my best friends, so not planning to move any time soon.

The last thing I want is for this part of my life to feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable lifelong passion. I certainly don’t think that would be the case, but if I were to have breeding success in the future (with Argentine Boas and/or my Brisbane coastal carpets) I’d keep back a pair at minimum and numbers could get wild quickly.

Another breeding note is that it is one of the most dangerous things you can do to any animal. Complications can and do occur, and I would be devastated to lose Mirabelle. And in an equal and opposite direction I would be absolutely elated to see her have a litter.

I also have sort of an agreement with myself to keep all snakes confined to one room and no cage floor on any stack above chest/shoulder height. Once they take up space elsewhere in the apt I’ll just fill the damn place haha!

But lastly, how often will I have the chance to get another animal of that caliber? You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

The way my brain works is why this is so difficult. Trying to be a reasonable and responsible adult looking ahead at the long game is hard sometimes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The color change on your girl is amazing Crook. Now that we've seen your Max Pink, and my normal, I'd like to see a TPos Argie pop up on the forum :). That way we can see the full spectrum of their beauty. My girl just had her first large rat a few days ago. It was supposed to go to my male bullsnake but it was pretty close in size to the medium I was going to feed her so I decided to switch the two prey items. She devoured it easily and happily. The bullsnake on the other hand is probably a little disappointed with the smaller meal.

https://i.imgur.com/9sAJg8U.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dnMxcRc.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

The color change on your girl is amazing Crook. Now that we've seen your Max Pink, and my normal, I'd like to see a TPos Argie pop up on the forum :). That way we can see the full spectrum of their beauty. My girl just had her first large rat a few days ago. It was supposed to go to my male bullsnake but it was pretty close in size to the medium I was going to feed her so I decided to switch the two prey items. She devoured it easily and happily. The bullsnake on the other hand is probably a little disappointed with the smaller meal.

https://i.imgur.com/9sAJg8U.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dnMxcRc.jpg

---

Duuuuuuude! That girl is looking incredible! Dark black bco are under appreciated in my opinion. Honestly expected my girl to darken with age and she went the opposite direction. They’ve definitely gotten some more love in the last few years somewhat out of the blue (and with a substantial price increase to match).

I agree, I’d like to see a T+ and maybe some motley BCO around here as well.

My girl has been on mediums most of the summer and has been growing accordingly. Not pushing her too hard, but man does she like to eat. Doubtful she’ll see larges this year, but very likely by next spring.

Thanks for sharing, Zig!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmcrook

Hah! It’s been tough. It’s easy to see taking on another animal while I’m on summer break, but have to remember how much time my career takes up from August to May. In a handful of years it will hopefully change a bit in the event that I receive tenure at my institution.

Also the possibility of finding alternative teaching positions and would have to move if I found a better opportunity. The thought of moving all those enclosures and animals gives me anxiety. I do have a very good gig at my university and my colleagues are my best friends, so not planning to move any time soon.

The last thing I want is for this part of my life to feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable lifelong passion. I certainly don’t think that would be the case, but if I were to have breeding success in the future (with Argentine Boas and/or my Brisbane coastal carpets) I’d keep back a pair at minimum and numbers could get wild quickly.

Another breeding note is that it is one of the most dangerous things you can do to any animal. Complications can and do occur, and I would be devastated to lose Mirabelle. And in an equal and opposite direction I would be absolutely elated to see her have a litter.

I also have sort of an agreement with myself to keep all snakes confined to one room and no cage floor on any stack above chest/shoulder height. Once they take up space elsewhere in the apt I’ll just fill the damn place haha!

But lastly, how often will I have the chance to get another animal of that caliber? You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

The way my brain works is why this is so difficult. Trying to be a reasonable and responsible adult looking ahead at the long game is hard sometimes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

I totally understand, believe me. And the "right answer" is different for each of us, & varies at different times, so it's only for you alone to decide- every animal deserves our sincere commitment.

One point you made that I seldom hear (but have likewise considered) is the health risks of breeding to our cherished pets. No matter what you decide, you've considered very carefully. (Unless of course you just give up & toss a coin? LOL)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmcrook

Indoor lighting pictures with the floor lamp in the snake room. Absolute insanity. Having a seriously torturous internal struggle over whether or not to snap up a boyfriend for her.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...99de95231b.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...cc1f44b66d.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...dce697f1d7.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5268453be8.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

She really is absolutely stunning jmcrook. Her light pink colour is truly outstanding.

I can understand why you want a worthy male for her, no point in going with a second best male for her that's for sure.

It's true that accidents with the male and females are definitely to be considered

Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

The color change on your girl is amazing Crook. Now that we've seen your Max Pink, and my normal, I'd like to see a TPos Argie pop up on the forum :). That way we can see the full spectrum of their beauty. My girl just had her first large rat a few days ago. It was supposed to go to my male bullsnake but it was pretty close in size to the medium I was going to feed her so I decided to switch the two prey items. She devoured it easily and happily. The bullsnake on the other hand is probably a little disappointed with the smaller meal.

https://i.imgur.com/9sAJg8U.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dnMxcRc.jpg

---

Wow el ziggy your argie is outstanding too, love how dark she is

Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk