My first boa

Just a little background of why I got this.
A lady in my area called our local fish and game and asked if they would take her snake. The fish and game guy knows me, and called to see if I wanted a 30 lb. boa. I have only done Ball Pythons, and I have a few of those.

In talking with the lady, I found out it was about 5-1/2 feet long, so I knew it wasn't 30 lbs.

Long story short, I agreed to take it if she gave me the enclosure along with it. So she did. It's a 50 gallon tank with stand.

Anyway, I'm not sure what type she is. The lady told me she had been told it's a female.

--I gotta interject and tell the reason she gave it away. :rofl: It bit her husband.
I asked "was it an agressive bite, or just a quick strike?"
"Oh, it was just a quick strike. But I have 2 little kids (a 3 yr. old and a 1 yr. old) and I just don't feel safe with it in the house now. I think what happened is that we were watching Animal Planet Hoarders. It was one where a guy had a whole bunch of venemous snakes. Our snake must have seen all those snakes on tv being agressive. The combination of that and the fact that she has never really been around other snakes made her agressive, I think."
"Oh......."

:rofl: Sorry, but that's ridiculous.... Anyway, I thought, "sure, I'll take your snake, cage, rats, etc, because you have no clue...

So, yesterday I got the snake. I was a little hesitant to handler "her", but I did, and she seems as gentle as could be! Duh lady...

So, as far as I know, it's a redtail boa, but I have no idea. Can you guys help? It's 6-1/2 lbs. and 5-1/2 feet long.

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../0/rtb_007.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../0/rtb_004.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../0/rtb_002.jpg

Thanks for looking!

Looks like a normal BCI from the pics. I think you'll be in good shape as long as you keep her from watching Animal Hoarders:8:

Odds are she will be pretty docile for you. If you sense a shed coming on I'd leave her alone until she sheds and she will probably have a strong feeding response. You probably already know that, but I figured I'd throw it out there.
Glad she found a new home with you.

Oh man! I'm convinced that the TV is making people stupid (or stupider). It worked out great for you, though. 'She' is a great addition. All 30 pounds of her:P

What a story!! :O Do keep her from watching hoarders..that's hilarious!! :rolleyes:

She's a pretty girl! Is she in shed or is it just the pics? My girl gets a little pissy in shed. :) She will still eat like a charm though. She just stops in the middle of 'killing' her food to hiss at me!

Oh no! I watched that episode with one of my balls. My boa was in the other room. Guess I should rehome my whole collection now!

This is seriously the funniest thing I've heard all day!

Glad you gave her a good home! Shes quite dark!


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She seems to me to be in shed, but I've not had one before, so I'm not sure. She really is a sweetie. She doesn't seem aggressive at all.

I"m really torn on it, though. I like her, but I'm focused on keeping my ball python projects going, so I don't really know if I'm going to keep her.

Here are some more pics. What would a snake like this usually cost?

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../0/rtb_005.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../0/rtb_008.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...004_778058.jpg

Thanks guys.

Well, you feed them once a week. Think of her like a slightly bigger ball python. Bigger food, bigger cage, but still a single animal! Most BCIs never get big enough to EVER eat rabbits(except when over fed or just abnormally large!) but might need some really big XL or XXL rats! I don't know how much those cost really, so I can't help you there. Mine is still on smaller rats :)

Depending on how old she is she might grow a little bigger so she might need a larger cage or maybe not. You can build your own cage for a decent price. I love having my boa, I can't imagine not having one around! Great personalities!!

But as far as cost of keeping, just add up the cost of the proper sized rodent a week. You can of course buy in bulk. And a nice thing about boas is they are great garbage disposals if you have a ball python going off of feed! :D These guys are never NOT hungry! To sell..I have no idea! She's a big girl, so probably quite a bit!

She is deep blue right now! Just wait til she sheds!! And post pictures when she does!

I'll definitely post pics after she sheds.

We do grow our own rats, but since she needs large rats, that may be a tough thing to fit in all the time.

Whatever I do, I'll keep her well treated while she's under my care.

One other question...not being sure of the gender, how difficult is it to pop bigger boas? Or do I need to have her/him probed? I pop all my BPs, but they're easy.

A very healthy looking, thick girl(?) has fallen in your lap. If it were me, I'd keep her. Having had both over the decades, a ball canot hold a candle to the personality of a sweet boa (IMHO- I know there is alot of love for balls around here, again just my opinion).
If you truly are driven to pass her on, I'd say she is worth about $10, and I'll give you double that. :D
Seriously though, I would imagine you should be able to get several hundred for her.
BTW, post up some pics after the doll sheds here in a few days.

How long is their shed cycle? A lot like a bp?
As far as I've read on caresheets, it looks to be about the same conditions as BPs, right? Do you think she should have a hide?

If I had to choose between my snakes and could only keep one it would be my boa. They have great personalities and are just fun to keep (and don't hide all day).
A normal girl that size would most like likely go for around $200. The issue is that there are tons of normals available to adopt and pick up on the cheap on Craigslist. If you have her set up properly you will probably find her a very rewarding snake to keep.
She should shed for you in a few days and will be much lighter and maybe have some peach and pink colors showing on her sides and belly. Very pretty.
Some people feed every week and many boa keepers slow grow them. Adults can be fed weekly, but some feed every 14-21 days and have big, gorgeous boas to show for it.

I know a lot of big boas that don't use hides, but it's always good to give them one, (imo but I believe the same with ball pythons) Maybe made out of a litter box or something similar!

Her eyes will clear up and within a few days she'll shed!

Thanks for all the answers and help guys. As always, you are all so helpful.

On the popping/sexing question, any ideas for that?

I'm not sure. I know Jeremy Stone pops his breeding adults, but he's been at it for years. Maybe at first get him/her probed?

x2 on the probe.

That size, most will probe. Nice eyes, deep shed. Mine shed 2 days after clearing up like clock work whereas my bp's will go a few days after clearing up, seldom 2 days.

An adult that size will eat a large/x-large every 14 days and would probably refuse meals any sooner or a small-med rat every week. Boas are garbage disposals, but slow down as they get older...most will never refuse after 14 days lol


BTW, if this is your first boa or never feed one; once they are in feeding mode stand clear cause they can be very aggressive eaters. Give them the rat, and let them have their privacy once everything is safe! Mine will let their bite go while squeezing and look at you and try striking you through the window! I have to feed my boas last cause they will see me going cage to cage and strike like crazy, but any other day they are babies

Mine won't eat if anyone is watching lol
They definitely aren't like feeding most bp's. A couple days after feeding it's back to being a big sweetheart, but at feeding time some can be a bit nuts.

Definitely BCI and definitely in shed. No wonder the hubby got bit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheWinWizard

Definitely BCI and definitely in shed. No wonder the hubby got bit.

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That is also a very good point! When my balls are in blue I will handle them and well they will ball up, when my boas are in shed I will not handle them because they strike at everything that moves!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rperry03

That is also a very good point! When my balls are in blue I will handle them and well they will ball up, when my boas are in shed I will not handle them because they strike at everything that moves!

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"That is also a very good point! When my balls are in blue I will handle them and well they will ball up,..."
God, I love this website!

:rofl: :banana: :rofl: :rofl: hahahahahahahaha!!!!! :rofl:

I will be sure to never let my snakes see that show. :rofl: Grats on the pickup.

Congrats on the new boa. I also agree with the 14 day feeding schedule for a boa that size. Boas should have a taller, more square like, shape to their bodies. If you decide to keep it, then I would suggest a larger tank. A 50 gallon may be too small. Boas will benefit more from floor space. For that size, a minimum of a 4 X 2 enclosure would be preferred, but, if you went ahead with a 6 X 2, that would last you for a long time, and possibly, you may not ever need a bigger one.

That's good to know. I don't know if I'll have the space for a 6x2. Right now, I have her down at our office building in a storage area. I don't think they'll let me keep her there permanently, but we'll see.

She looks deep in the blue right now. I'm sure antsy to see her after she finally sheds. It always takes longer than I have patience for, lol, but I guess it's good for me to learn some patience...

Thats really funny! She's pretty - Im a high fan of boas - counting the days till I can get one!

Having just recently rescued a BCI I must say this, I fell in love immediately. Prior to the BCI all of my experience and knowledge was with BPs. I can't imagine NOT having a boa now.

Give him/her some time before you decide if you want to re-home it or not. Chances are you'll fall in love too. Boas are amazing snakes and have awesome personalities :gj:

Thanks for sharing your funny story and pics too :D

She finally shed a couple days ago, and I haven't had time to upload pics until now.

She sure is a lot brighter now. And she's still a sweetie. I took some pics, checked her out again, and then fed her a great big rat. She sure gulped it quick!

I still don't expect to be keeping her, but we'll see. I do like her temperament.

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/1/6/3/7/0/062.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/1/6/3/7/0/061.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/1/6/3/7/0/059.jpg

You really should keep her. You can still work on your bp projects without her bothering anything, and she can be your insight to other snakes.

Admittedly, I am a bit jealous. About a month ago I started looking into boas, and would really like just one for a pet. Like you, I want to focus on my bp's for projects.

Thanks for the pics!

Yeah, I would keep her, but I don't really have the room at my house, and I can't really enjoy her as a pet with her at my dad's office. Sure, she's there when I am there working once a week, but there's absolutely no room at home. They just require a lot more room than I have.

I understand what you mean. I wish I could help you out there. Either way, I hope everything works out for the two of you.

Well that settles it no more animal hoarders for my snakes. Guess that's where that old "snake see, snake do" saying comes from haha. :D

Depends on who you would sell it to.. I've seen some normal's 150 and hets 185 a little after being hatchlings, so i assume if the snake is healthy which she seem's to be and puppy dog tamed as you say, well you should have no problem selling her{?} for around a few hundred. Than again depends on you and the buyer..

Yeah, I still have no takers at $125 on our local classifieds...(utah doesn't use craigslist, they use ksl classifieds...) Anyway, I'm enjoying her a little here and there. She is definitely a doll, and I love hanging out with her.