Growth spurt #2. What on earth?
I haven't taken any recent pictures, but my male BCI has exploded in growth since spring hit. I used cool temps and less frequent feedings during the winter. I average 1 meal every 12 days and that can stretch to 17 or more depending on shed cycles.
He is not 2 years old until late June and I think he'll easily be 5 feet long by then. I know I've given a prey size that was too large maybe twice since I've had him, but wow!
He seems to be growing a lot faster than I expected a male BCI to grow.
Re: Growth spurt #2. What on earth?
Both of my bigger two have been growing like crazy the last few months too. They both turned 2 in April and May. Guapo is at best estimate (I'm basing this off them stretched out on the shelf in their 6' cages) is between 4.5' & 5' and Ripley just about 3" shy of 6'.
Would love to see some recent pics of your guy!
Re: Growth spurt #2. What on earth?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DooLittle
Both of my bigger two have been growing like crazy the last few months too. They both turned 2 in April and May. Guapo is at best estimate (I'm basing this off them stretched out on the shelf in their 6' cages) is between 4.5' & 5' and Ripley just about 3" shy of 6'.
Would love to see some recent pics of your guy!
Thanks for answering! Are both of yours male? I know that the Rentfro line of Barranquilla boas is not typically large as far as large boas go, but maybe because mine is a pet and there are no females around he is growing at a faster rate. He does NOT have a pin head which I hate and is a sign of a power fed animal.
His last meal was a large rat and I'm fairly certain it was a bit too large. He did finish in under 15 minutes but I will back him down to his medium quail again.
I find it funny that our royal female is still under 4 feet coming up on 3 years old. She is so small and is soooooo picky. I had to go live to get her to eat again and I think I ruined the frozen thawed which bothers me.
I feed her smalls now because I think medium live rats are dangerous and know how to defend better than smalls.
Since we are on the topic of pictures would you mind posting some of your larger 2 year old males?
Do you have retics too?
I'm interested in an SD but my wife is NOT on board.
Re: Growth spurt #2. What on earth?
I'll see if I can get them stretched out and snap a few pics later. Ripley is female, Guapo male. Mine eat every 10-14 days depending on rat size. I'd love an sd retic, they are so gorgeous. But I just don't have space and $ for one right now.
Re: Growth spurt #2. What on earth?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DooLittle
I'll see if I can get them stretched out and snap a few pics later. Ripley is female, Guapo male. Mine eat every 10-14 days depending on rat size. I'd love an sd retic, they are so gorgeous. But I just don't have space and $ for one right now.
I hear ya there.
I want a SD retic maybe even more than a Peruvian BCC.
However, I'm very entertained by my locality BCI. I could see maybe trading the royal although we love her and she was the first snake we ever had and my 11 year old son would go berserk if I got rid of her.
I'd never ever trade the boa. He is an absolute gem looks and temperament combined.
I just can't believe the growth spurt. It's a bit unexpected to be honest. I figured there would be a slower more consistent growth. Maybe after 2 years old he'll slow up. I was predicting 6 feet as a maximum and figured that would be in around 4 years. It seems he will surpass that, but this winter I'll drop the temps even further.
He's my first and only boa so I guess compared to the royal I think he's huge now LOL!
Re: Growth spurt #2. What on earth?
Only got to Ripley last night. Which this morning looks to be a good thing, as Guapo left a nice surprise for me overnight, lol. I was trying to get her stretched out for a picture, but that didn't work out so great. So, here she is on my daughter (who's 10), maybe that will give you a bit of size idea? I'm waiting for some more nice weather to get them outside for some current photos.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/22/aqahuzy9.jpg
Re: Growth spurt #2. What on earth?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DooLittle
Only got to Ripley last night. Which this morning looks to be a good thing, as Guapo left a nice surprise for me overnight, lol. I was trying to get her stretched out for a picture, but that didn't work out so great. So, here she is on my daughter (who's 10), maybe that will give you a bit of size idea? I'm waiting for some more nice weather to get them outside for some current photos.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/22/aqahuzy9.jpg
Thanks. That is about what my guy looks like but maybe 4 foot 10 inches. I'll measure him tonight. May try for photos this weekend too.
Re: Growth spurt #2. What on earth?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mrs.Smith
My male BCI grew a ton the first few years. He hit around 6' and has pretty much tapered off. He will be 5 this year.
Thanks for the post! I figure mine will probably top out there as well. I was just surprised how he sprouted when the spring weather came. I know his line is not know for enormous size so 6 feet doesn't seem out of this world. But I think if he hit it before 3 years old it would be. I'll measure him again soon as I know he is probably still under 5 feet but only by and inch or 2. Birthday #2 is June 27 or 28.
I'll get pictures up soon.
Re: Growth spurt #2. What on earth?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Evenstar
They all hit that growth spurt at different rates. And when they do.......... :D
I have several 2013s that are bigger, or at least every bit as big, as my 2012s. And one 2014 that is as big as my smaller 2013.
Yeah, it's just funny, here I talk about slow growing and conservative feeding and suddenly I'm brewing a mini monster LOL! 10 days is the shortest length of time before a meal. I just fed tonight after 12 days and he took a medium quail. No lump. I've fed large rats exactly twice and pulled back a bit as I felt they were too large for now.
My guess is most boa owners with more than 1 year of ownership would find my guy fairly average.
I expected slower growth.
