Dumerils Boa

I'm looking to expand my snake collection by adding a dumerils boa.

I stopped by the local reptile shop this morning to check out the dumerils he has.

He's got 3 of them, the 2 that have the best markings aren't eating and he refuses to assist or force feed as he thinks, once a bad eater, always a bad eater and would assume he doesn't want the reputation of selling bad or troubled animals. He's asking $225 for the one he has that is eating well that I handled for the better part of an hour, AMAZING how docile and head friendly this yearling was, WOW.

I think I'm going to hold out to see what's available online and have a couple questions...

1. What is the average price for a dumerils boa with nice markings?
2. Where did you get yours and would you recommend them?

Thanks.

I got my little girl from my local reptile shop I buy my feeders from. She was 2 months old and ate like a horse. We both were impressed how chubby of a baby she was lol. I would for sure recommend them as they are awesome. Luna loves to just sit on me for hours haha. Her, Caesar and Rosey are the only 3 who seem to like to sit on me for extended periods of time.

As for price, Luna was $200 but she has awesome pattern to her. She looks like she has little tiki masks running down her body lol.

And make sure you get one that is feeding well. I was told babies can be a pain to get to eat. Luckily like I said, Luna was eating like a horse when I got her and she still eats like a horse haha. She started out on little hopper mice and now she is up to adult mice every week.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...4a952dfc_b.jpg

Here she is in her Jacuzzi lol. She really loves her water bowl now.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...65f0b3f6_b.jpg

Dums range anywhere from free to several hundred dollars. If you look online you can find well-established, feeding baby Dums for $125-150 plus shipping so $225 at a retailer for a known-quantity yearling isn't out of line.

Most pet stores don't provide the best conditions for getting a baby snake to eat; even if the husbandry is on point the stress from retail activity can throw them off food. Baby Dums in particular can be shy about feeding. If you think one of the non-feeders looks nicer and you want one, ask for a discount and swear to keep your mouth shut about where you got it if anyone asks.

There's a dumeril boa lover page on facebook with quite a few breeders, they usually run $100-$150 and doesn't really change based on pattern, just more for females ime. I think mine was $150 from Paul Mitzelfelt and I would recommend him absolutely. My male has been nothing but perfect, healthy, beautiful, eats like a champ and ridiculously docile.

I got mine in October - 3 month old male at the time for $140. Found breeder on faunaclassifieds. He would only eat live at first but took his first prekilled with me last week.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2017...481b2c9a99.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2017...42f8641660.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2017...7fa58e76f0.jpg


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Awesome snakes! There is def one in my future.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

As for price, Luna was $200 but she has awesome pattern to her. She looks like she has little tiki masks running down her body lol.

And make sure you get one that is feeding well. I was told babies can be a pain to get to eat. Luckily like I said, Luna was eating like a horse when I got her and she still eats like a horse haha. She started out on little hopper mice and now she is up to adult mice every week.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...4a952dfc_b.jpg

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When I saw your pics that's when I decided to get more info on them. So thanks for that. LOL

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Originally Posted by GoingPostal

There's a dumeril boa lover page on facebook with quite a few breeders, they usually run $100-$150 and doesn't really change based on pattern, just more for females ime. I think mine was $150 from Paul Mitzelfelt and I would recommend him absolutely. My male has been nothing but perfect, healthy, beautiful, eats like a champ and ridiculously docile.

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Thanks - Joined it today and will keep an eye out.

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Originally Posted by BPGator

I got mine in October - 3 month old male at the time for $140. Found breeder on faunaclassifieds. He would only eat live at first but took his first prekilled with me last week.



https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...42f8641660.jpg


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Very nice - PM me with the breeder you went with? Not sure if it's allowed in open threads? (still relatively new to the forum)


I want to explore the options before jumping in with the only one available to me locally - I did ask if he'd discount a troubled eater to no avail unfortunately.

I wish some of the Dumerils breeders on FB would come over here. I teach in a HS so I don't have a FB account. It's the better way to go.

There's always Fauna and KingSnake. As always, do plenty of research on the sellers first.

I'm pairing two adults this year, both are virgins. So far they're acting like middle school kids at a dance and staying on opposite sides of the enclosure.

Nothing much to add other than we picked up a rescue Dums from our local herp society this past weekend and he's an absolute saint. I love all our boas, but Sage has the sweetest temperament and his "floral" pattern is stunning. Good luck as you look for your new Dums and post up some pictures once he/she arrives!

not sure if this is allowed or not but i breed dumerils and have 3 females available my female breeder is very nice specimen!

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Originally Posted by farmer1911 45ACP

not sure if this is allowed or not but i breed dumerils and have 3 females available my female breeder is very nice specimen!

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Not sure about the rules but it's probably best to post them in the for sale section and you can post a link to the thread here.


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I'd rather get a dum through better breeders online, like the Dumeril's Lovers group on facebook or faunaclassified, like everyone said. I'd also rather get one who is already consistently eating.

My dum was $110 and 2 years old when I got her. She's a pretty basic looking dum.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2zso1_1280.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2zso2_1280.jpg

The really orange/hypo-looking or otherwise very unique animals can cost thousands.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

I'd rather get a dum through better breeders online, like the Dumeril's Lovers group on facebook or faunaclassified, like everyone said. I'd also rather get one who is already consistently eating.

My dum was $110 and 2 years old when I got her. She's a pretty basic looking dum.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2zso1_1280.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2zso2_1280.jpg

The really orange/hypo-looking or otherwise very unique animals can cost thousands.

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What kind of enclosure did you put her in, red? She was in a tub not too long ago, right?


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Originally Posted by DLena

I wish some of the Dumerils breeders on FB would come over here. I teach in a HS so I don't have a FB account. It's the better way to go.

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Hey we're neighbors!!! :colbert2:I'm in Rochester, NY. Yes, it seems more difficult to find dumerils breeders.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

There's always Fauna and KingSnake. As always, do plenty of research on the sellers first.

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Thanks - I have a tendancy to do a ton of research when I dive into a project. Sometimes too much I think :rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by farmer1911 45ACP

not sure if this is allowed or not but i breed dumerils and have 3 females available my female breeder is very nice specimen!

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Thanks for the offer - I'm interested in a yearling - something I can raise from a tiny noodle.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

I'd rather get a dum through better breeders online, like the Dumeril's Lovers group on facebook or faunaclassified, like everyone said. I'd also rather get one who is already consistently eating.

My dum was $110 and 2 years old when I got her. She's a pretty basic looking dum.

The really orange/hypo-looking or otherwise very unique animals can cost thousands.

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Thanks - I'll look and research, already have BHB looking out for me and Lori said she'd call when they got some stunners in. Not looking to spend thousands, but a couple two three hundred on a stunner, yes.



I really do appreciate all the feedback :gj: This is an awesome forum to be a member of.

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Originally Posted by BPGator

What kind of enclosure did you put her in, red? She was in a tub not too long ago, right?


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She's in a 18x18x48 melamine (or was it 18x24x48...)! I would not recommend. LOL. The material is so, so heavy... I wish I spent a few hundred more on a PVC enclosure.

She's been in there for a few months so far, yeah! I decided she outgrew her 110qt tub.

Melamine is heavy as heck lol and will rot if you don't seal it well especially for species that need high humidity. If on a tighter budget, my advice is go for a Animal Plastics T8. I think they are like $150 and would work for a few years on a female dumerils and probably a lifetime on a male. Or for a little extra, go for T10s. That's what I'm going to stuff Luna in as soon as I get my T25s for Rosey, Vicky and Caesar.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Melamine is heavy as heck lol and will rot if you don't seal it well especially for species that need high humidity. If on a tighter budget, my advice is go for a Animal Plastics T8. I think they are like $150 and would work for a few years on a female dumerils and probably a lifetime on a male. Or for a little extra, go for T10s. That's what I'm going to stuff Luna in as soon as I get my T25s for Rosey, Vicky and Caesar.

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I've been going back and forth over what I'd get for mine - T8 or T10. I'm leaning towards the T10 and want to modify it a little to put extra thick bedding for him to burrow.

Would you use belly heat or RHP? I'm still going back and forth in this too.


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Originally Posted by redshepherd

She's in a 18x18x48 melamine (or was it 18x24x48...)! I would not recommend. LOL. The material is so, so heavy... I wish I spent a few hundred more on a PVC enclosure.

She's been in there for a few months so far, yeah! I decided she outgrew her 110qt tub.

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Does she use that hide? I gave mine a hide once and he either buried under it or sat on top of it. So I just took it out - it seemed more like an obstacle than a tool for him. And maybe I missed it, but what's your heat source?


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Originally Posted by BPGator

I've been going back and forth over what I'd get for mine - T8 or T10. I'm leaning towards the T10 and want to modify it a little to put extra thick bedding for him to burrow.

Would you use belly heat or RHP? I'm still going back and forth in this too.


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I use belly heat for mine with about 1/2 inch deep of ReptiChips. Luna has been spending most of her time in her water bowl lol. Guess a bunch of other people on Dumeril Lovers FB page have been having theirs spending a lot of time in the water too. We all attribute it the drier air from winter/cold.

If you got the cash, go with T10s. The extra height really is nice. Remember, the 12 inches on a T8 is the total height. When I asked Ali at AP, she told me inside height is actually 10.75 inches. Didn't get the exact number for the T10 but since they are made from the same thickness of PVC, I would guess it would be the same loss of height, making it 13.75 inches. The height of the openings on the T8 are 21.75x8 inches. The T10 is 20.75x10 inches. And honestly even completely cleaning the T10 is a little bit of work getting up above the shelf. I couldn't imagine losing 2 inches of height on the door opening and trying to clean it. It would be like my Constrictors NW cage which has an 8 inch opening too and I banged my boa and BPs trying to get them out sometimes.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

I use belly heat for mine with about 1/2 inch deep of ReptiChips. Luna has been spending most of her time in her water bowl lol. Guess a bunch of other people on Dumeril Lovers FB page have been having theirs spending a lot of time in the water too. We all attribute it the drier air from winter/cold.

If you got the cash, go with T10s. The extra height really is nice. Remember, the 12 inches on a T8 is the total height. When I asked Ali at AP, she told me inside height is actually 10.75 inches. Didn't get the exact number for the T10 but since they are made from the same thickness of PVC, I would guess it would be the same loss of height, making it 13.75 inches. The height of the openings on the T8 are 21.75x8 inches. The T10 is 20.75x10 inches. And honestly even completely cleaning the T10 is a little bit of work getting up above the shelf. I couldn't imagine losing 2 inches of height on the door opening and trying to clean it. It would be like my Constrictors NW cage which has an 8 inch opening too and I banged my boa and BPs trying to get them out sometimes.

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Mines in a 12qt tub with about 2" of reptichip and belly heat. After he eats he buries himself for 2-3 days. I've never caught him soaking. I will be moving him up to a 31qt tub this weekend so he can have a bigger water bowl and some more room to move.


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I had mine in a 3x2 that was 17" high and ended up swapping him and my ball python so now he's in a 4x2 that's 11" high. He just buries himself in the substrate and never used the higher area but likes to move around and stretch out. I've never seen him in the water bowl but my room is humidified.

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Originally Posted by GoingPostal

I had mine in a 3x2 that was 17" high and ended up swapping him and my ball python so now he's in a 4x2 that's 11" high. He just buries himself in the substrate and never used the higher area but likes to move around and stretch out. I've never seen him in the water bowl but my room is humidified.

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You use belly heat?


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Originally Posted by BPGator

Does she use that hide? I gave mine a hide once and he either buried under it or sat on top of it. So I just took it out - it seemed more like an obstacle than a tool for him. And maybe I missed it, but what's your heat source?


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She does use her hide, but usually only for a few days after eating. And if I took it out, it wouldn't cause problems either like it does for a ball python, you know. It's not a requirement (she's 3 years old).

I'm using only a UTH, which works super well with melamine. It even retains an ambient temp LOL. The thermostat is set at 90, and the surface temp is 89.5~90.

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Originally Posted by BPGator

You use belly heat?

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Yes, there is a rhp in the cage as well but it's not needed with my room heat so only using the uth. He generally stays on the cooler side.

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Originally Posted by BR8080

Hey we're neighbors!!! :colbert2:I'm in Rochester, NY. Yes, it seems more difficult to find dumerils breeders.



Thanks - I have a tendancy to do a ton of research when I dive into a project. Sometimes too much I think :rolleye2:



Thanks for the offer - I'm interested in a yearling - something I can raise from a tiny noodle.



Thanks - I'll look and research, already have BHB looking out for me and Lori said she'd call when they got some stunners in. Not looking to spend thousands, but a couple two three hundred on a stunner, yes.



I really do appreciate all the feedback :gj: This is an awesome forum to be a member of.

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Mineareyearling!

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Originally Posted by farmer1911 45ACP

Mineareyearling!

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Sorry for the delayed response.

do you have a website? Facebook? PM me with some info.

I have had two Dumeril's boas. I got a feeding yearling from a local reptile show. When my ex and I split, we had almost 50 snakes and we sold a lot of them because neither of us could handle that many snakes by ourselves. Blossom, the dum, was one that got sold, and I regret that to this day. She was awesome. I tried to replace her two years ago with a baby male that the breeder claimed was feeding well on f/t and I never could get him to eat f/t. I had him for over half a year and in that time he took one live mouse fuzzy. I eventually contacted the breeder and said I couldn't get him to feed, she went crazy and blamed me for putting him in a high stress environment (I had him in my classroom, he ate once there and then when he stopped eating I brought him home for 4 months and had him in the back of my basement, nothing going on back there-- still wouldn't eat) and she ended up telling me to give him to a localish friend of hers. To my knowledge he's never eaten well for her, either. I am convinced I was sold a non-feeder. Morale of the story... I think you are WISE to go with a well established yearling that has some growth to it and clearly is eating. If/when I go with a dum again (and I am sure I will) I will seek an older juvenile.