Not a one hander.

I posted a thread under my retic, Wallace's progression thread talking about how easy, usually, he is to handle. He's a 7 footer, maybe a tad more and will be two years old June 1st.

The SD X Dwarf genetics keep him lean and agile. So much so that I can easily handle him with one hand.

Here's the post in that thread.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ession!/page23


Now by contrast here is Sniper, a shorter snake, but with Red Tail Boa girth!

This guy is coming up on 6 years old and he's a big fella these days.

http://i.imgur.com/VW1NFur.jpg

This snake is in excellent shape and in very good health. He takes the winter off feed, like Gus Rentfro and Vin Russo recommend and not only grew, he grew again once feeding resumed this spring.
http://i.imgur.com/g2zejO1.jpg


When put next to most snakes of the same length, the boa constrictor will show the most power, dense physique and be the strongest pound for pound.
http://i.imgur.com/b8euPX8.jpg

While the retic didn't dwarf my hand, this guy's body is on par with the size of my lower arm.
http://i.imgur.com/qhQWr06.jpg

It's a good think there are no rules about picking favorites in a collection, and maybe there is a reason most of us have more than one snake. I would be hard pressed not to tell people, boa constrictors are one of the best pet snakes on the planet.
http://i.imgur.com/264GOTZ.jpg


I love this guy!
http://i.imgur.com/nQPsb3n.jpg


Always entertaining too. Thanks for looking!
http://i.imgur.com/KA0eaPY.jpg

Holy smokes that’s a helluva snake Gio! You’re not helping my attempts to resist getting another snake at the moment lol. This really makes me want a boa


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Great pics,looks a really solid guy


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Holy smokes that’s a helluva snake Gio! You’re not helping my attempts to resist getting another snake at the moment lol. This really makes me want a boa


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I can't do favorites, it's like flavor of the week, however, boa constrictors are probably the best all around snake for impressive, yet manageable size, docility and activity.

They are kind of the "Jack Of All Trades" in many ways.

There's something about the laterally compressed body, the spring, steel muscle and impressive size that makes them perfect.

They are wonderful and if I were to grab another snake I'd get a Suriname, Guyana or Iquitos, Peruvian BCC.

I love boas!

Sniper is one beautiful beastie but you're killin me Gio! After seeing Wallace's pics today, and few other giant python threads recently, I had pretty much decided on a SD retic. Now you go and throw a boa back in the mix :snake:. I LOVE the beefy physique of a boa and the length of the SD retic :). Maybe one of each aye?! Problem solved!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

I can't do favorites, it's like flavor of the week, however, boa constrictors are probably the best all around snake for impressive, yet manageable size, docility and activity.

They are kind of the "Jack Of All Trades" in many ways.

There's something about the laterally compressed body, the spring, steel muscle and impressive size that makes them perfect.

They are wonderful and if I were to grab another snake I'd get a Suriname, Guyana or Iquitos, Peruvian BCC.

I love boas!

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Yep! I’ve been eyeing all of the above listed localities. Some day... [emoji6]


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Sniper is one beautiful beastie but you're killin me Gio! After seeing Wallace's pics today, and few other giant python threads recently, I had pretty much decided on a SD retic. Now you go and throw a boa back in the mix :snake:. I LOVE the beefy physique of a boa and the length of the SD retic :). Maybe one of each aye?! Problem solved!

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By golly I think he’s found the answer!


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Reminds me of Lolita, my Guyana bcc I used to have. She was nearly 13 ft and solid muscle... it's an interesting feeling holding a snake that could probably kill you if it wanted to, they are just so strong.

Beautiful snake, I may have to get another one once I get moved in next month.

Oh man, he's BEAUTIFUL!

Thanks folks. Gus Rentfro made that boy😊👍

And yes,,, might as well get one of each. 😎

You always make me really want a BC! More than I already casually want one that is! I was just browsing boas classifieds yesterday.

Your boy is beautiful and sounds wonderful in temperament!

Have you ever experienced random bites while handling, lke assuming everything is calm and there's no reason to suddenly act defensively? The only thing that's been keeping me away from boas is seeing posts every once in awhile of "random bites out of nowhere" during handling. Though I'm sure some (or all, maybe) of the posts could be from unknowledgeable owners with poor husbandry or something.

Now that’s a snake! He’s definitely not natty. You’ve got him juiced up and pumping weights in that gym.

Looks good. Sniper is about the same size as Rosey who is about the same age too. i remember we got our boas about the same time lol. Maybe i am underfeeding Rosey. She is only about 7 feet too. She has gone into a growth spurt though and shed about a month ago and is in blue again, but i did bump her food intake up as its spring time now.

You did forget Pucallpa Peruvian BCC though!! But to be honest, Pucallpa and Iquitos are pretty close towns. I was looking at a yearling imported Iquitos Peruvian with CITES papers awhile ago but the gal was only selling them as pairs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

You always make me really want a BC! More than I already casually want one that is! I was just browsing boas classifieds yesterday.

Your boy is beautiful and sounds wonderful in temperament!

Have you ever experienced random bites while handling, lke assuming everything is calm and there's no reason to suddenly act defensively? The only thing that's been keeping me away from boas is seeing posts every once in awhile of "random bites out of nowhere" during handling. Though I'm sure some (or all, maybe) of the posts could be from unknowledgeable owners with poor husbandry or something.

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No random bites! These guys in general are some very docile captives.

Really, I can’t think of a better semi large constrictor to own.

I’ve been bitten twice by this guy. Once as a juvey and the last time I had it coming.

No issues with either bite.

There are people that only own boas and I can see the reasoning.

Go get one👍👍😊

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

You always make me really want a BC! More than I already casually want one that is! I was just browsing boas classifieds yesterday.

Your boy is beautiful and sounds wonderful in temperament!

Have you ever experienced random bites while handling, lke assuming everything is calm and there's no reason to suddenly act defensively? The only thing that's been keeping me away from boas is seeing posts every once in awhile of "random bites out of nowhere" during handling. Though I'm sure some (or all, maybe) of the posts could be from unknowledgeable owners with poor husbandry or something.

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New to Boa's (I got Behira at 1 1/3 years old in October of 2017). She's more than doubled in size since then. She's incredibly calm and docile and not shy at all. She does very well with redirection and is a total joy.

Having said that (and mentioned below). Strongest feeding response of any snake I've ever had. Got nailed in February because she was thinking food and I went to pick her up while her head was around one of her hides and she couldn't see my hand. She thought RAT!!!! As soon as I touched her, she nailed me, but let go immediately and was like, "sorry dad, I was hoping you were a rat." and let me pick her right up.

Because of that and how big she will be, I started hook training her then. It's gone great! She still strikes at the acrylic doors when it's feeding time, but I don't think she would ever attempt to bite me once picked up. Plus, the hook training gets her out of food mode and there have been zero issues since.

She doesn't spook easy like my BP and is incredibly brave and curious. I don't think I could scare or spook her if I tried. Her personality is awesome.

I think Boa's are very predictable, especially once out and being handled. Super tame if handled and since they don't startle easy and are (generally) not aggressive. Not sure why/how you would get a defensive bite while handling a tame boa. Another story when they are thinking FOOD! I definitely encourage hook training. Having said that, the bite was harmless. Barely hurt. I've heard the same thing from people who keep adult boas. More scary than anything. Wasn't expecting it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

No random bites! These guys in general are some very docile captives.

Really, I can’t think of a better semi large constrictor to own.

I’ve been bitten twice by this guy. Once as a juvey and the last time I had it coming.

No issues with either bite.

There are people that only own boas and I can see the reasoning.

Go get one👍👍😊

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Gio,

He's beautiful and healthy!

Looks great!

Do you know how much he weighs? Just curious.

Can't wait until Behira gets up to size. She's two in June and about 900G now. Has yet to refuse any meal! Killer feeding response! Haven't seen anything like it.

He is big because you take him to the gym with you.

Think there may be a bit of Steroid abuse too lol
looking at the size that big guy he really is so great, that's why I have 12 boas,they are so great, I just love how solid they are

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Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous !!

Did I say gorgeous ?!?

he really is a husky fella now isn’t he!! Can barely see your arm lol!!

most of it has already been said but I’ll keeo it simple. BOAS ROCK!!!

Im sure the BP owners are gong to slam me and trust me I love all 3 of mine they are friendly and unique and great snakes but once I got my first boa, a dwarf at that, I said man if I got a boa first I don’t know if I would have ever gotten a BP. Again just based on the handling, the activity, and the all around fearless behavior.

Hence why I recently got another. It was like eating at me that I only had one...

anyways he’s amazing and I can’t wait to see him progress more and more. Keep sharing !!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous !!

Did I say gorgeous ?!?

he really is a husky fella now isn’t he!! Can barely see your arm lol!!

most of it has already been said but I’ll keeo it simple. BOAS ROCK!!!

Im sure the BP owners are gong to slam me and trust me I love all 3 of mine they are friendly and unique and great snakes but once I got my first boa, a dwarf at that, I said man if I got a boa first I don’t know if I would have ever gotten a BP. Again just based on the handling, the activity, and the all around fearless behavior.

Hence why I recently got another. It was like eating at me that I only had one...

anyways he’s amazing and I can’t wait to see him progress more and more. Keep sharing !!!

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I certainly understand this. We bought the royal here 6 years ago as a 9th Bday gift for our son. I knew that at 9 he would not be the primary care giver, so I ended up diving into the research. She'll be a 7 year old snake the end of July and she's been perfect the whole time.
However, that snake hooked me and brought me into the hobby.

I wanted something bigger, busier and boas led the list. I'm surprised I only have one boa.

But carpets and the SD x Dwarf retics are awesome too.

That said, if I ever get another snake, I will likely get a locality boa constrictor again.