Dumerils Boa Q&A

Hi y'all!

So I'm in the very early preparatory phase of getting a second snake. I'd really like a Boa and have bounced back & forth between a BRBs and Dumerils for months.

A few things keep swaying me back to the Dum. One is their personality - I keep hearing how sweet and agreeable they are. Another is their girth, I'm drawn to the heftyness of their build while still being a manageable length. And their husbandry and hardiness seems similar to royals. BRB's seem a smidge more high maintenance and unforgiving.

In another life I could have all the snakes I ever wanted, but I will be cut off at 2. Or divorced. ;)

I'd love feedback from those who own or have owned them. Pros and cons. What you wish you knew.

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by hilabeans

Hi y'all!

So I'm in the very early preparatory phase of getting a second snake. I'd really like a Boa and have bounced back & forth between a BRBs and Dumerils for months.

A few things keep swaying me back to the Dum. One is their personality - I keep hearing how sweet and agreeable they are. Another is their girth, I'm drawn to the heftyness of their build while still being a manageable length. And their husbandry and hardiness seems similar to royals. BRB's seem a smidge more high maintenance and unforgiving.

In another life I could have all the snakes I ever wanted, but I will be cut off at 2. Or divorced. ;)

I'd love feedback from those who own or have owned them. Pros and cons. What you wish you knew.

Thanks!

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I'd love to have one of these guys too. Although there's not many bred in the UK as they need to be microchipped and have papers.

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Originally Posted by Valyrian

I'd love to have one of these guys too. Although there's not many bred in the UK as they need to be microchipped and have papers.

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Really? Why is that? That's not the case here, at least that I know of.

They’re beautiful snakes, get to be a decent size. Easy enough to take care of, I had three over the years. A male, and then later a pair. They are one of my favorite snakes. If I didn’t have the health problems I do, I would have at least one now. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by hilabeans

Really? Why is that? That's not the case here, at least that I know of.

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Its because they're listed as endangered by CITES. You can give them away but to sell then they need the paperwork and microchips or paperwork proving they were too small to chip.

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

They’re beautiful snakes, get to be a decent size. Easy enough to take care of, I had three over the years. A male, and then later a pair. They are one of my favorite snakes. If I didn’t have the health problems I do, I would have at least one now. Good luck.

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Details! Why are they one of your favorites?

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Originally Posted by Valyrian

Its because they're listed as endangered by CITES. You can give them away but to sell then they need the paperwork and microchips or paperwork proving they were too small to chip.

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Who knew?! I didn't realize they were endangered.

I just recently went with a smaller island locality of a boa for the desire for something with different behaviors, personality and handling. So I can’t directly comment on the type you are asking about but thus far I am very happy with my boa and those who have them always rave about their personality and demeanor.

At the end of the day I think you need to go with what visually appeals to you and what you feel would suit your current set up space requirements and what not. It seems to me the general concessions on boas is that they are great snakes and fun pets.

Have you reaxhed out to any breeders? Asked direct questions seen any pics. All of my snakes have “spoken” to me so to speak and I think that’s the way to go for you. Find one that you are just like yea that’s it!

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

I just recently went with a smaller island locality of a boa for the desire for something with different behaviors, personality and handling. So I can’t directly comment on the type you are asking about but thus far I am very happy with my boa and those who have them always rave about their personality and demeanor.

At the end of the day I think you need to go with what visually appeals to you and what you feel would suit your current set up space requirements and what not. It seems to me the general concessions on boas is that they are great snakes and fun pets.

Have you reaxhed out to any breeders? Asked direct questions seen any pics. All of my snakes have “spoken” to me so to speak and I think that’s the way to go for you. Find one that you are just like yea that’s it!

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Yes, I have spoken with a number of breeders and have my preferred breeder picked out. He will have a phenomenal litter a little sooner than I'm ready to move on one, and I'm still not 100% sure I want a neonate instead of a sub adult. I've heard they can be problematic feeders so wondering if it's better to go with a more established animal. I lucked out with my Neptune and his crazy good feeding response, even in shed, so I'd love to not have issues that way. But if his clutch turns out, they will be especially stunning animals...so tempting...

I know your boa is still new, so probably still settling in. Can you tell much about his personality different than your BPs? (or was it a her?)

I had one that was a little tricky, a male in the mid nineties. If you have the patience and the knack, you shouldn’t have a problem. The pair I picked up never gave me any problems eating, with them it was quite the opposite. And they are simply gorgeous, making them one of my all time favorites. Unfortunately any pictures I have are truly photos, not digital.😉

Hilabeans,

I have seen Dumerils in person, but do not own one. I too am at my limit, partially because of significant other preferences. However, after doing some research, I decided my "last" snake would be a BCI - hence getting Behira, the Ghost BCI Female, in October of last year. I have zero regrets! I had narrowed it down to her or a scaleless corn.

From what I have read and witnessed in person, Dumerils are really beautiful and fairly large snakes. They are very chill (although I hear they can be aggressive feeders like BCI's - Behira is no exception).

Dumerils are also easier to keep than say, a BCI. Humidity requirements and temperature requirements are lower. Dumerils 75-85F, with a little over 85F for a hot spot (like 86-87F). Also humidity can be 40-60% with the higher end of the range in shed.

However, I have also heard they are like big BP's - almost too chill. If you like that, awesome, I don't think you can go wrong with a Dumerils.

Having said that, I love the different personality of Behira as compared to Shayna my BP. Yes, she needs more humidity and slightly warmer temps (than a Dumerils - higher humidity than a BP but temps are the same virtually). Plus, her food drive is off the charts (thank you hook training - although I recommend hook training any snake that gets large to get them out of food mode - Dumerils included).

BCI's are curious, but not fearful at all. They also come in many morphs and if you do not want one too big, can get a male.

I also love the way BCI's feel. They have softer skin than BP's for sure.

In no way am I trying to talk you out of a Dumerils. They are really cool. I considered them too. However, I fell in love with BCI's and love Behira to pieces. I just wanted to show another possibility.

Dumerils:

Pros:

-Large, but manageable size
-Temperament
-Easy husbandry

Cons:

-Temperament - TOO CHILL?

BCI's

Pros:

-Many morphs
-Large, but manageable size - especially males
-Awesome personalities
-Will never skip a meal/Crazy food drive

Cons:

-More advanced husbandry and larger tank especially with a female
-Crazy food drive

Again, I've never hook trained a BP or a corn (Figment is an aggressive feeder but makes sure it is food first :)) but I have hook trained Behira.

Anyway, just my two cents.

Either way, keep us in the loop! Sounds exciting! NEW SNAKE! YAY!

I have a female. Lady liberty and she’s a Caye Caulker dwarf boa. But other than size and the penchant to climb more and be in the trees and branches I hear care and personality is very similar.

So so far I notice a few things...she’s very bold and shows no fear. You aren’t going to get the flinching and head dodging with a boa that you do with a ball. Now my balls are not head shy at all and I handle them often to the point that they will seemingly ask for chin rubs. But I’ve seen balls that are very jumpy and shy. Lady is not. When she’s out she is out and it’s not just a head poke she moves and climbs. She’s very alert and smart. She will follow my motions and light. Very inquisitive. Strong as well. I only handled her on unboxing thus far but you sure do feel the power and grip!

I have a male that's about three years old now, they are pretty slow growers. He's a fast mover when out but completely docile, never hissed or struck. Always been a great eater, climbing the doors waiting for food, eats anything and everything. They get thick but not huge and I'm a big fan of their pattern. Plus with their preference for cooler temps he goes great with my short tails, he's got a rhp hot spot to keep one side of the cage around 83-84 and the cool side sits around 76.

I have a 5 year old female who I love! She's exactly 6 feet long and I estimate about 6 lbs (I don't have an exact scale that measures over 2000g) Once they're over 1.5-2 years old, they're as agreeable as ball pythons and honestly even more calm and immobile.

I can put her in a spot on my couch or bed, and she will move slightly into a comfortable position and just stay there like a rock for up to an hour or even longer LOL. Literal pet rock.

The only real con is that as babies, they're known to be difficult to get eating and are shy. If you want an easier fun time right off the bat, I highly rec finding one at least over 1 year or even 2 years old.

They're a burrowing species, so providing them with thick substrate gives them most comfort, and they'll burrow themselves as deep as possible with only the tip of their nose poking out!

If you do get a baby, you'll have a hard time finding them if you provide too thick substrate though. LOL :D

Like many young terrestrial snakes (including ball pythons), they'll utilize low branches and climb a bit if provided. But once my dum was over about 3 years old and a certain weight, she stopped using her branches altogether and would only burrow under them. They burrow and are much more terrestrial than ball pythons as adults.

This is my Vigil from over a year ago!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...32zso1_400.gif

I've only had mine since mid-january, but he's extremely into eating (begs nearly every time I come by) and other than that the most chill snake I've ever met. He wasn't at all bothered by the car ride home with me even. He is perfectly happy to just chill on us or in a hoodie pocket. Dumerils are also extra soft feeling. He's a very excellent snake. Also I just got a super cute gif of him which I will post once I figure it out.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

This is my Vigil from over a year ago!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...32zso1_400.gif

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SQUEAL!!!!!!! What size enclosure do you have her in? Does she normally come out towards you when you open her door?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8d37038686.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...cea5c53d83.jpg


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well that didn't work yet. Sorry!

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Originally Posted by Kcl

well that didn't work yet. Sorry!

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...85ae2f0c66.gif



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Keep trying!

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Originally Posted by hilabeans

SQUEAL!!!!!!! What size enclosure do you have her in? Does she normally come out towards you when you open her door?

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I have her in a 4x2x2. :D She doesn't always, only if she happens to be awake and next to the door LOL. Most of the time, they're resting and you need to wake them up and pick them out.

Luna my dumerils is probably the only snake who is more laid back than my boas lol. She is fine with just sitting on me and lounging. Babies can be a pain to get to feed so if you buy a baby, make sure it is eating good. Luna was always a good eat even as a baby. She is DEATHLY scared of FT rats though and literally will turn and crawl away from them at top speed....even though they are dead lol. I've had Luna about 1.5 years and when i got her, she was about 15 inches if that. Shes about 3 feet now

And even though they say dumerils like low humidity, they are wrong. Luna loves it when i mist her or soak the cypress. She then just digs around in it and will stretch out under it. I have found she actually prefers a more damp set up plus it also makes her skin nice and soft. When i kept in low humidity, she would feel kind of crunchy when i picked her up.

But anyways, cant go wrong with one. They are for the most part really relaxed.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...f6bfc561_h.jpg

And here are some older pics of her. I love this one. The look she gives when she is clearly caught trying to sneak out of the cage haha.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...901f5eba_h.jpg

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

And even though they say dumerils like low humidity, they are wrong. Luna loves it when i mist her or soak the cypress. She then just digs around in it and will stretch out under it. I have found she actually prefers a more damp set up plus it also makes her skin nice and soft. When i kept in low humidity, she would feel kind of crunchy when i picked her up.

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She's beautiful. What do you keep her humidity at, on average? Would you say she's your favorite out of your other boas?

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Originally Posted by hilabeans

She's beautiful. What do you keep her humidity at, on average? Would you say she's your favorite out of your other boas?

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I actually deviate from what other say of 40-50% humidity and keep her around 60-70%. I keep the BP, dumerils and GTP around 60-70% with drops to 50% or so. The other boas and the retic are kept around 70-80% humidity.

Hard to pic a favorite really as all my snakes have individual personalities. But i mean if it came down to a MUST pick, i would probably have to say its between Rosey since i have had her for over 5 years as a baby, or Caesar as he just a character and the only snake who actually comes out to greet me on a regular basis and seems to love being pet/having interaction, or Gina as she is just awesome looking and I wanted a BCC for a long time but couldnt find the perfect one i liked. Then there is Pat the GTP since i have wanted a GTP since i was a 12 year old kid looking through snake books in the library.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

I actually deviate from what other say of 40-50% humidity and keep her around 60-70%. I keep the BP, dumerils and GTP around 60-70% with drops to 50% or so. The other boas and the retic are kept around 70-80% humidity.

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I also keep my dumerils at least 55% humidity and bump it to over 60 during shed. If it's much lower, she actually gets some bad sheds LOL. (bad meaning not in one piece, and there are pieces of shed strewn everywhere)

Luna is quite lovely. :thumbsup:

I have a male - I got him in December or so? He is fantastic. He looks amazing, tame as all hell but hits his food hard. He is always the one to come out and inspect when he smells food being warmed in the room.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...03de1216_b.jpg

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Originally Posted by PiperPython

I have a male - I got him in December or so? He is fantastic. He looks amazing, tame as all hell but hits his food hard. He is always the one to come out and inspect when he smells food being warmed in the room.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...03de1216_b.jpg

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WOW that’s one amazing pic!!!

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

WOW that’s one amazing pic!!!

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Hey, thanks so much! :)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e6cf704884.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...540d4b7587.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5713c43e99.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7724f76e24.jpg


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Originally Posted by PiperPython

I have a male - I got him in December or so? He is fantastic. He looks amazing, tame as all hell but hits his food hard. He is always the one to come out and inspect when he smells food being warmed in the room.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...03de1216_b.jpg

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Gorgeous. How old is he?

- - - Updated - - -

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https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...7724f76e24.jpg


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LOL - still not gif-ing for me. ;)

LOL - still not gif-ing for me. ;)[/QUOTE]

I know! It gif-ed for me when I viewed the post on tapatalk, but noope. Oh, also, our dumeril's totally doesn't care usually if you pet his head, so if you always wanted a snake where you can pet their head...

That’s one hell if a picture on that branch,looks great


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Originally Posted by hilabeans

Gorgeous. How old is he?

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Thank you! If I had to guess, I'd say 6-8 months? He's still pretty small, but definitely growing faster than anyone else in the collection.

Thanks for all the comments on the photo. This is my favorite photo of him that I took the same day as the other one (These photos were taken about 2 months ago)

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...230ea152_c.jpg

That’s is a fantastic picture, the head markings are stunning


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I have to completely agree with all the above posters. My girl is awesome. Not head shy at all, It actually seems like she likes chin rubs and top of head rubs when we r watching movies. Mine loves being out of the cage and its sometimes hard to get her back in. Shes an absolute garbage pail. Would eat multiple times a day if I let her. Her feeding response is very intimidating if you’ve never been around snakes before. If she smells food she will usually strike the glass before I get to open it. And she hits hard every time. But she has never acted aggressive towards me ever. I also have to completely agree with the fact that they are fearless. I have had many snakes before, but this girl is like stone. Not a flinch. I think that this maybe the reason why they are so calm all the time. Its almost like she knows shes a badass snake and not much can or will mess with her. Its actually very entertaining. Love her to pieces and has become my favorite snake and species.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c4129d8fe6.jpg


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Originally Posted by Mstuppiello921

I have to completely agree with all the above posters. My girl is awesome. Not head shy at all, It actually seems like she likes chin rubs and top of head rubs when we r watching movies. Mine loves being out of the cage and its sometimes hard to get her back in. Shes an absolute garbage pail. Would eat multiple times a day if I let her. Her feeding response is very intimidating if you’ve never been around snakes before. If she smells food she will usually strike the glass before I get to open it. And she hits hard every time. But she has never acted aggressive towards me ever. I also have to completely agree with the fact that they are fearless. I have had many snakes before, but this girl is like stone. Not a flinch. I think that this maybe the reason why they are so calm all the time. Its almost like she knows shes a badass snake and not much can or will mess with her. Its actually very entertaining. Love her to pieces and has become my favorite snake and species.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...c4129d8fe6.jpg


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She's absolutely beautiful.

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Originally Posted by hilabeans

She's absolutely beautiful.

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Thank you!


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