Boa Constrictors Boring?

There are some that will say boa constrictors are boring and don't make good display snakes. They typically follow up with examples of boas they've seen, and go on to point out the boas they've seen stay curled up in the corner of a cage and don't do anything. I would venture to guess those boas are overfed, and also don't have anything in their cages to do other than wait for the next meal.

In the winter my boa, "Sniper" is certainly less active, but when the seasons change, I see this almost every morning and every evening.

I was happy I had my cellphone when I went down this morning. He is closing in on 6.5 to 7 feet long and is completely stretched out and back over all of his perches. Two days from today I'll have had him for four years. He arrived here April 23, 2013. I am always blown away when I see him doing his thing.
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...tput_40c5.jpeg

My cage glass is usually pretty clean, but I decided to drop it down and try another picture. I watched him for probably 1-2 hours while checking my laptop and waited for him to head for his hides.
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...tput_40c7.jpeg



He typically retreats an hour or two after the lights come on in the morning.
I really like how boa constrictors move. They are so slow and deliberate when they want to be. They truly are stealthy. One minute you look over and they are in the same position they've been in, and the next time you look, they are disappearing into a hide.

http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...tput_40c9.jpeg

I'm lucky to have the snakes I do here. I enjoy them all and buy them for certain characteristics and behaviors.

Seeing them in action is the best part.

Good post. Anyone who thinks boas are boring haven't been around boas enough. I have had a few over the years that are fairly laid back and would prefer to stay relaxed in one spot for extended periods of time, but I've also had plenty that will be on the move regularly. (My little Sharp albino boy is one that regularly cruises and hangs out looking out the front of his enclosure). My male Sonoran is one of the most active snakes I've ever owned.

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Originally Posted by Randall L Turner Jr

Good post. Anyone who thinks boas are boring haven't been around boas enough. I have had a few over the years that are fairly laid back and would prefer to stay relaxed in one spot for extended periods of time, but I've also had plenty that will be on the move regularly. (My little Sharp albino boy is one that regularly cruises and hangs out looking out the front of his enclosure). My male Sonoran is one of the most active snakes I've ever owned.

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You've got a great collection Randall.

Boas are really excellent pets all around.

I really like the way your enclosures look.

You using PVC as the crosspiece with a hanger and screw through it to keep in place? Thanks.

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Originally Posted by BR8080

I really like the way your enclosures look.

You using PVC as the crosspiece with a hanger and screw through it to keep in place? Thanks.

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These are HDPE plastic cages from Constrictors NW.

I have some perch holders in there from the maker, and the big tree branch is on a heavy duty V-shaped closet rod holder. The dowels are obviously wrapped in fake vines. I did screw all of the perches into the cage sides.

I can get all of that stuff out quickly and easily for cleaning.

Thanks for the nice comment. I like to set them up like that because I like to watch my guys do their thing!

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Originally Posted by Gio

These are HDPE plastic cages from Constrictors NW.

I have some perch holders in there from the maker, and the big tree branch is on a heavy duty V-shaped closet rod holder. The dowels are obviously wrapped in fake vines. I did screw all of the perches into the cage sides.

I can get all of that stuff out quickly and easily for cleaning.

Thanks for the nice comment. I like to set them up like that because I like to watch my guys do their thing!

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They do look great. I just got my AP enclosures and, like you, want the snakes to have something to climb and maintain some muscle tone and have enough to hide in. One last question....I notice you're using RHP's, they don't get hot enough to cause and problems with the plastic vines?

Boas are boring as heck!! BPs are where the action is at!!.......oh wait, my sig gives me away :P I still need a Pucallpa BCC and a sharp snow BCI. The freakin 'want' list never ends lol.

Nice looking natural cages 'nature boy' Gio :D

This guy ain't boring :)

7' of pure magnificence :)

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2017...bae1d0a8a7.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2017...5f1b192a29.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2017...3beff5994e.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2017...bc6518e765.jpg

I think they can be boring. Extremely overfed/overweight boas will stay in their corner and not do much. None of mine have been like that though. They can be very active and curious.

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Originally Posted by cletus

I think they can be boring. Extremely overfed/overweight boas will stay in their corner and not do much. None of mine have been like that though. They can be very active and curious.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

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this^^

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Originally Posted by cletus

I think they can be boring. Extremely overfed/overweight boas will stay in their corner and not do much. None of mine have been like that though. They can be very active and curious.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

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This applies to almost any snake, and really, almost any animal. We might as well include humans too. Too much food for almost anything leads to inactivity and a shortened life span.

It is stated, restated and proven by some of the most knowledgable and experienced boa constrictor keepers around. Russo, Rentfro, Bassett, and there are more that boa constrictors recognize and need some seasonality during the year.

There are times of famine and times of feast.

Certainly don't starve your boa, which is very difficult, but definitely don't overfeed it.

I always see increased activity when the weather warms, the natural dew points increase and there are longer hours of daylight.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

This applies to almost any snake, and really, almost any animal. We might as well include humans too. Too much food for almost anything leads to inactivity and a shortened life span.

It is stated, restated and proven by some of the most knowledgable and experienced boa constrictor keepers around. Russo, Rentfro, Bassett, and there are more that boa constrictors recognize and need some seasonality during the year.

There are times of famine and times of feast.

Certainly don't starve your boa, which is very difficult, but definitely don't overfeed it.

I always see increased activity when the weather warms, the natural dew points increase and there are longer hours of daylight.

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Agreed, but most snakes don't reach the size of a boa. It's a good thing we the keepers of the animal can feed them responsibly. I think too many people treat boas like garbage disposals and grow huge and lazy snakes.

Caesar is going to pass up Rosey in length and become my biggest snake i think here soon. Rosey is about 5 years old and 6.5-7' and 12.7lbs. Caesar is 11 months old and just over 6'. I dont know his weight though as trying to weigh him would ike trying to keep water in a screen net.

My snakes have started to move around more recently but i still would not compare them to something like a colubrid. I think a lot of people just don't understand boas have a slow metabolism but a hyper driven appetite lol.

Reading this thread, i just had to grab Irwin for some shoulder time. And like a boring boa, he started using my head and face for a jungle gym then went down my collar and out my sleeve, talk about a pet rock, lol. Also noticed he's been using different part of his enclosure lately, I changed around some of his furniture last month and got him a new RHP too, so i hope that was stimulating for him. He's really starting to get too big for his set-up, i mean its not dire, just not ideal - but i want to build him a real "forever" house next which will require some time and money. Hopefully this summer i can make it happen, especially if he has another growth spurt like last summer. I'm just now getting him back to a regular feeding schedule, sticking to every 3 weeks while he's still on small rats, if he gets up to mediums i'll probably do 4 to 5 week intervals.

Any one who thinks Boa Constrictors are boring should not be a snake owner. Just go to the Zoo and look at all the animals that are housed badly and you will see them depressed. If you find that your Boa is boring then its your fault as a snake owner, don,t blame the snake for that.