Info about Dumerils, please

I've read nothing but positively glowing reports about Dumerils here and ran into this on a Dumeril care sheet:

These snakes are typically calm animals and make a wonderful addition to any herp collection.However bare in mind they do grow large in weight (typically 15-20 pounds),and when fully grown should not be handled alone.

Is there cause for concern beyond normal snake handling issues?
It sounds like they're implying your Dumeril will strangle you first chance it gets, or something.

That cryptic warning certainly doesn't jibe with all the "puppy dogs of the snake world" posts I've read.
[there were no such "warnings" on the RTB care sheet, even though they get much bigger]

I'm a small, thin woman and don't really care to be found squeezed to death on my kitchen floor.

I'd love to hear from Dumeril owners.

Thanks!

I'm pretty sure the rule is that for every 6 feet of snake(or is it 8 feet? One of those) you should have another person with you--just in case. So I think they just mean the normal 'be aware' warning to not handle a large animal alone in case you get over powered. Although it's unlikely, you never want to be that one statistic!

I had heard the same warnings on adult RTBs on the care sheets I read(following the rule of big snakes, when it gets big enough..have someone else around to help if something goes wrong)

I'm not a dumeril's owner, but a boa owner. When Nagini is a big big girl, I won't be chilling out with her without someone else around if it could go wrong. A snake can bite and a snake can strangle! Doesn't mean they will but.. You know, never hurts to be cautious I guess.

But that's my take on it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by purplemuffin

I'm pretty sure the rule is that for every 6 feet of snake(or is it 8 feet? One of those) you should have another person with you--just in case. So I think they just mean the normal 'be aware' warning to not handle a large animal alone in case you get over powered. Although it's unlikely, you never want to be that one statistic!

I had heard the same warnings on adult RTBs on the care sheets I read(following the rule of big snakes, when it gets big enough..have someone else around to help if something goes wrong)

I'm not a dumeril's owner, but a boa owner. When Nagini is a big big girl, I won't be chilling out with her without someone else around if it could go wrong. A snake can bite and a snake can strangle! Doesn't mean they will but.. You know, never hurts to be cautious I guess.

But that's my take on it!

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Thank you.

I was hoping it was more of a general "common snake sense" warning than a species specific "OMG! RUN!" sorta thing.

The guy I'm getting her from says she's a doll.

My 1500gr Het for Clown BP likes to coil around my neck and 'hang out' which is fine but every so often, she'll "adjust herself" to feel more secure and I have to slip my hand between her and my neck to not feel like she's about to put a "sleeper hold" me....:D

[or maybe she really is trying to kill me]....LOL

I love my BPs madly but I'd also like to have a nice "cuddle snake" who doesn't bonk itself on the head, freak out and then look at me like I'm to blame for its klutziness.

I have a wonderfully mellow pastel BP "lap snake" but currently he's in shed and I miss holding him.

[his eyes cleared yesterday morning and he's been circling in his hide so I think his shed is imminent, thank goodness]

im seriously looking into getting a dumeril this week depending on the black friday sales that happen. if you could maybe PM who your getting yours from so i can get a hold of them and see what they've got that would be awesome.

all the caresheets ive read say that they're pretty docile but i think they're just like every other mild mannered snake in that there is always the ones that are nippy or just mean and i think with a big bodied boa like the dumeril you should take extra precautions when they're bigger to never get in a situation that you cant get out of.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pbjtime8908

im seriously looking into getting a dumeril this week depending on the black friday sales that happen. if you could maybe PM who your getting yours from so i can get a hold of them and see what they've got that would be awesome.

all the caresheets ive read say that they're pretty docile but i think they're just like every other mild mannered snake in that there is always the ones that are nippy or just mean and i think with a big bodied boa like the dumeril you should take extra precautions when they're bigger to never get in a situation that you cant get out of.

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It's not a breeder.
It's just a person I know who sold me their Dumeril.
I go pick it up tomorrow.


Sorry....:(

Dumerils Boas are some of the most docile snakes I've ever come across. In your case, I'd advise buying a male because they usually grow to about 6 feet long. Dumerils Boas are powerful constrictors, but as long as you follow normal safety procedures you'll be fine. Never let a constrictor wrap completely around your neck. If the boa ever gets in a position that makes you feel uncomfortable, stay calm and start unwrapping from the tip of the tail or the head. Also, keep in mind that Dumerils Boas have a relatively slow growth rate, so you're not going to have a snake that becomes huge overnight.

I have a 5 year old female that's still under 6 feet long and about 9 pounds. My 8 year old male is barely 6 feet and about 12 pounds. Dumerils Boas are some of the most docile and easy to care for snakes, and I would highly recommend them. Here is a Dumerils Boa Care Sheet, and I would be happy to answer any questions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MoonlightBoas

Dumerils Boas are some of the most docile snakes I've ever come across. In your case, I'd advise buying a male because they usually grow to about 6 feet long. Dumerils Boas are powerful constrictors, but as long as you follow normal safety procedures you'll be fine. Never let a constrictor wrap completely around your neck. If the boa ever gets in a position that makes you feel uncomfortable, stay calm and start unwrapping from the tip of the tail or the head. Also, keep in mind that Dumerils Boas have a relatively slow growth rate, so you're not going to have a snake that becomes huge overnight.

I have a 5 year old female that's still under 6 feet long and about 9 pounds. My 8 year old male is barely 6 feet and about 12 pounds. Dumerils Boas are some of the most docile and easy to care for snakes, and I would highly recommend them. Here is a Dumerils Boa Care Sheet, and I would be happy to answer any questions.

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Thanks for the great advice.
She's a girl and I didn't really get a choice in that.

It's one of those situations where something turns up locally/privately and I don't have drive hours to an expo to get one from a complete stranger that's letting it go for who-knows-why reasons and whom I may not be able to contact again if something needs addressing.

I've learned the hard way that some sellers will tell you what they know you want to hear, just to make the sale.

Not in a real big hurry to go to that rodeo, again.....:-\

I'd love to go the Hamburg meet in Dec. but it's almost 3 hours from here.

Ugh!

LOL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Salamander

It's not a breeder.
It's just a person I know who sold me their Dumeril.
I go pick it up tomorrow.


Sorry....:(

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no problem. im just haveing trouble finding someone with a reasonably priced girl and still ship her with the cold.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MoonlightBoas

Dumerils Boas are some of the most docile snakes I've ever come across. In your case, I'd advise buying a male because they usually grow to about 6 feet long. Dumerils Boas are powerful constrictors, but as long as you follow normal safety procedures you'll be fine. Never let a constrictor wrap completely around your neck. If the boa ever gets in a position that makes you feel uncomfortable, stay calm and start unwrapping from the tip of the tail or the head. Also, keep in mind that Dumerils Boas have a relatively slow growth rate, so you're not going to have a snake that becomes huge overnight.

I have a 5 year old female that's still under 6 feet long and about 9 pounds. My 8 year old male is barely 6 feet and about 12 pounds. Dumerils Boas are some of the most docile and easy to care for snakes, and I would highly recommend them. Here is a Dumerils Boa Care Sheet, and I would be happy to answer any questions.

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thnx for the info. i realized they were slow growing but thats a lot slower then i would have figured.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pbjtime8908

no problem. im just haveing trouble finding someone with a reasonably priced girl and still ship her with the cold.



thnx for the info. i realized they were slow growing but thats a lot slower then i would have figured.

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Are you near any upcoming reptile expos?

I've seen adult Dumerils there and you don't have to worry about shipping.

next one is in january near me. id prefer a hatchling so i can get used to it as it grows.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Salamander

I love my BPs madly but I'd also like to have a nice "cuddle snake" who doesn't bonk itself on the head, freak out and then look at me like I'm to blame for its klutziness.

I have a wonderfully mellow pastel BP "lap snake" but currently he's in shed and I miss holding him.

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"Cuddle snake" and "Lap snake" are not exactly terms that I would use to describe a Dumerils Boa. While they are pretty calm and tolerate handling well, they are like most boas, curious and exploratory, and they can be pretty persistant about where they want to go. Even when they are still small, in the 3-4 feet range, they possess far more strength than a comparably sized BP. I'm not trying to discourage you from getting one, because they are great snakes to work with, but don't go into it with different expectations. My personal precaution is to not put any of my snakes around my neck.
Here is a link to a thread from one of the other members, where she posted some photos of her with her adult female Dumerils.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...dult-Dumeril-s

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

"Cuddle snake" and "Lap snake" are not exactly terms that I would use to describe a Dumerils Boa. While they are pretty calm and tolerate handling well, they are like most boas, curious and exploratory, and they can be pretty persistant about where they want to go. Even when they are still small, in the 3-4 feet range, they possess far more strength than a comparably sized BP. I'm not trying to discourage you from getting one, because they are great snakes to work with, but don't go into it with different expectations. My personal precaution is to not put any of my snakes around my neck.
Here is a link to a thread from one of the other members, where she posted some photos of her with her adult female Dumerils.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...dult-Dumeril-s

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Maybe those weren't the best choice of words but sometimes, I'd like to have a snake who isn't so shy that something moving on TV sends them scurrying for cover behind me on the chair....:oops:

Or one so "small" and fast that if zips to the floor, I'll be looking for it all night.

Or one who doesn't have a stroke because it bonked its head on my hand and then blames me.

I have a scrawny little neck so I'm not a big fan of them being there either, myself.

Leah is just learning about her new home and seems to feel comfortable up there when her roaming about leads her upward instead of the usual downward.
I don't put my snakes on my neck myself because I worry they'll fall and get hurt.
BPs aren't exactly the most graceful, accomplished climbers in the world and apparently, the whole concept of gravity is something that completely eludes them.

Truth be told, my greatest fear is whether it would be aggressive enough to strangle my smaller dog.

I don't worry about her and the BPs...I worry more for their sake than hers because I know she'd grab them if she got a chance.

She's a Portuguese Podengo Medio who's about 18" at the shoulder and weighs 30 pounds...and is a little Velociraptor as far as hunting goes.

She's also the reason all of my snakes get handled out in the downstairs bedroom, far away from where my dogs are and in the only absolutely escape proof room in this very old farm house.

The Ibizan Hounds and Dobermann are no worries because all of them, for whatever 'instinctive' reason will summarily kill any snake they find.

[I have to go out and check the yard for Garter snakes in the summer to avoid the dogs finding them first]


Thanks for the link.
That is a very beautiful snake.