i want a rtb. but...

i want a rtb preferably a male. my 16th bd is coming up and i want one. but i want to know the requirements for one. i can care for my bal python perfectly. but i really want a good size snake but not huge. lol. and i love the way they look. so if anyone can tell me the requirements and how hard the are to take care of compared to a ball python that would be great! and what yall think i should do

I think you should read a dozen care sheets, buy a book and then ask more specific questions.

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Originally Posted by mr. s

I think you should read a dozen care sheets, buy a book and then ask more specific questions.

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Post of the year right there.

What? I looked it all up. I just would like other opinions. Like in comparison to a ball python how are they? Cause I really want one. So if anyone has any useful opinions let me know

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Originally Posted by chrispouliot55

What? I looked it all up. I just would like other opinions. Like in comparison to a ball python how are they? Cause I really want one. So if anyone has any useful opinions let me know

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Ive had MANY boas in my past and recently just bought 3 more to get back into them. They are Big puppies when well cared for. Their just as docile as Balls if not more at times. They are strong compared to BPs, so having adults on your neck alone is not advised.

As for requirements most start off is 6qt tubs and work up from there to about 74 quarts for adult females. Some may even need larger tubs designed specifically for larger boas.

I keep my boas at
78-80 Cool side
91 Warm side
60% humidity

Feeding is done slower than Balls as Red tails do have a tendency of regurgitating when younger if fed too fast and too big of meals. I personally feed smaller prey items to NOT see a bulge in them.

Hope this helps

Care requirements are pretty similar accept for size..... Bigger heavier snakes need bigger enclosures.... They are strong, even comparing similar size animals... seems my red tail is stronger than my spider ball python.. Both are in the 5-600 gram range... red tail is much longer (3times as long probably)at the weight I would have thought the stockier animal would be stronger but Jax is damn strong for his size. As adults will be heavy, but have seen and handled adults that were very docile.

alright. cool. thanks. that really helped. lol. they seem pretty easy to take care of. i wanted a bigger snake. but not like a burmese or a retic. just somthing bout 7 or 8 feet. i want a male though. how big on average does a male get?

They're nice snakes, they do get larger. A 4 foot cage like this, http://www.boaphileplastics.com/421d.html is pretty much ideal for anything but the largest females. They do tend to feed better then the ball pythons but that also means that you need to regulate their feeding more closely or they can get too fat. This is a good book to start out with, http://www.amazon.com/Boa-Constricto.../dp/1882770412 but if you're serious about boas this one I think is better but more expensive. http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Boa-C...7638358&sr=1-1

if anyone has a picture of a full grown MALE that would be great to. lol. i want to see on average how big. i dont want huge. but i want something bigger than a ball python. and i like them. ive held a female. just cant find any good pictures of males. so if anyone has one that would be great :)

Heres one of my previous adult males at just under 6ft

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...k/100_1664.jpg

ok cool. thanks. what is the smallest breed of red tails? just curious on that one? i know its not columbian. lol

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Originally Posted by chrispouliot55

ok cool. thanks. what is the smallest breed of red tails? just curious on that one? i know its not columbian. lol

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Red tail is too broad of a spectrum, theres many species that get long but not heavy and vice versa. just look at what you like and buy young so you can grow into it.

alright. cool. thanks for all the help. i want to get a nice male. females=too big. lol

and how much would be a baby red tail?

lol call me a suck but i would be afraid to be holding something like that near my neck by myself...:8:

lol. if i get one as a baby ill eventually trust it. but i also want it to trust me. thats why i want to get myself a baby. this way i cant earn my trust and it not bite me. lol

i mean can... lol

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Originally Posted by chrispouliot55

i mean can... lol

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i know what ur saying but still always be careful! that goes with any animal tho:gj:

yeah. no kidding. i got one evil ferret. haha. if he doesnt want to get out he will let you know. i have tons of pets. i have a golden retrever, black lab, greyhound mix, 3 ferrets, snake, 3 cats. lol. so i know what your sayin. lol

Normal baby BCIs at shows are about $35-$50

If price is an issue I wouldnt even get one. Honestly the smallest and generally most docile are the dwarf locality boas. Like the Hogg Island boa. They stay a couple feet smaller and grow slower if fed the right way. They are priced a little higher but I have seen baby hoggs going for around $100.00 give or take. The lighter and less speckled ones go for a bit more. A regular BCI is definately alot more affordable but dont just get one from a pet store if you are not familier with where the snake came from and what its health is.

Just stay away from the BCC's if size is an issue. I have 2 BCC's and it is not unheard of for a female to reach 10ft. They are also thicker and "taller" than a BCI. Meaning the body is higher from belly to spine and more rectangular shaped.

If you get one just be sure you have everything you need beforehand and be prepared to upgrade the housing at least twice before you settle on an adult boa cage at about 3 to 4 years of age.

Look at this link to see a pretty good list of dwarf boas.

http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/boaconstrictorimperator/

It seems the Tarahumara Mountain Boa is the smallest. Just read all the details for each of these and you will have alot of info.

You should never put a snake around your neck, IMO. Not even a ball python.

When people get bitten in the face, THAT'S usually why.

They have to grip on to hold on, they're up high and afraid which means they're just going to get more stressed and squeeze to hold. Plus if they start squeezing your neck, your blood vessels can expand and make you pass out. Not a good idea with a nice sized boa.
If you need an extended hand or something else to help, get another person or a snake hook.

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Originally Posted by chrispouliot55

yeah. no kidding. i got one evil ferret. haha. if he doesnt want to get out he will let you know. i have tons of pets. i have a golden retrever, black lab, greyhound mix, 3 ferrets, snake, 3 cats. lol. so i know what your sayin. lol

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LOL wow nice man!

yeah. i usually dont hold anything around my neck. unless im holding her and i need to help with somthing and put it up. but thats it. and i might get a bcc i just gotta wait for my bd to come around. and parents to approve. lol

BD? u mean bearded dragon?? whats wrong with it?!

birthday. lol. i wish i had a beardie though :D

ohh lol was gonna say beardies are nice!! :P

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Originally Posted by dembonez

ohh lol was gonna say beardies are nice!! :P

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Yet Expensive!!

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Originally Posted by steveboos

Yet Expensive!!

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rele?! i got mine from a pet store for $99

but at expos its like $50

Maybe expensive to maintain? Haha. Idk. I don't have one. I would like to have a tegu but idk. I'm still thinking I got a wile. I could also buy a new guitar. A baby Taylor! I want one so bad. But I also want a rtb or lizard to bond with and have a nice pet! I can't decide. But the whole reptile thing is my dad hates them. So he has to approve of me getting one first. And I really hope he does

I have a couple things to say and a question.

1.Beardies are not expensive to keep up, cept for food, unless you keep and breed dubia roaches but other then that there find, I see lots of beardies on Craigslist for cheap got mine for $25 with a tank so, gotta look around.

2.I know all about the many many animals. 2 balls (1 baby 1 adult) A baby king dot dash, Adult corn, Beardie, 5 Crested geckos, 2 dogs 2 hedgehogs, 14 Rats and a salt water fish tank. Sheesh I know...haha. although I only plan on getting 1 more ball. A Female Pied to go along with my 100% het pied.

And now for question

So, I want one but my wife wont let me cuz she has 2 rules with my animals.
1.No eating rabbits
2.No earing small children.

So leading to my question.

Can I feed them Rats? as long as there Jumboish.... at least at full size.

beardies are really cheap i fed mine crickets but hated them so i moved to silkworms they are better for him anyways i can't get roaches in toronto i went to the expo here but the guy says no one in canada sells them so silk worms it is = /

u talking bout a red tail eating rats? im a little confused. lol

A red tail can eat rats its entire life. They do better on smaller sized meals anyway. You generally do not want to see a big feeding lump after they eat. Adults do well on only 2 feedings a month if you are feeding rats. If you handle the snake regularly and feed from long tongs so it does not associate your hand with feeding you should not have aggression issues. Alot of boa's will just relax in your lap once they are comfortable with being held often. Some just want to explore and get into tight spaces. My 2 have opposite reactions to being held. The female is very calm but the male just wants to get away. Just shop around. If you decide to get one try to handle it first and choose one that is not flighty and trying to get away from you.