Rembrandt - Nicaraguan Boa (first snake!)

Hey guys! I thought I might start a thread for my first snake, Rembrandt (Remby) the hypo Nic boa. I've already gotten a lot of help for him from the forums here and I'm prepared to learn a whole lot more as I go along, because I'm a total newbie to herps :)

These are some phone pictures from when I first handled him, only for a few minutes three days after his first meal with me (I got hopper mice for him as suggested by the store where I got him, hope that's appropriate). I know he's not at all clean or particularly special visually but I already like him a lot, and can't wait to see him grow.

https://i.imgur.com/QltIA5y.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/UwsqZ8d.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/5s0dIFs.jpg?1
(he wouldn't straighten out so I'll have to try measuring him properly another time lol)

Just to confirm my husbandry is ok - my temps range from 75~77f to 81~84f with a 91f hot spot, and humidity mostly in the high 60s to mid 70s. Jus1More brought to my attention that his tub might be too big for him, but I tried to clutter it with a fake plant and appropriate hides; I'm looking to get something for him to climb, too. If he seems stressed I'm open to downsizing, but since he's eaten and comes out to explore every night, I'm hoping he's ok.

Also, one question - I know it's hard to tell snakes' ages by size, but anyone have a ballpark estimate for this guy? I was told around 3 or 4 months but that was a very rough estimate as I didn't have clear pictures at the time.

Very nice nic, I love the high speckles on nics and there pure ,there colour only gets better with age too,my female was 3 not long ago and is so nice and colourful


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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Very nice nic, I love the high speckles on nics and there pure ,there colour only gets better with age too,my female was 3 not long ago and is so nice and colourful


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Thanks! Maybe because I've seen a lot of people looking for the cleanest boas, it's given me the impression they're superior - but I think speckling has its charm and I don't mind at all. I kinda just settled on whichever snake I was shown at the shop but I'm not regretting it. Seeing the colours change with age is going to be so cool :)

He’s beautiful!!

Great looking lil nic! Congrats!
No way to tell age by size, I'd say under a year and if you were told 3-4 mo, that's probably correct.

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Originally Posted by Team Slytherin

He’s beautiful!!

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Thank you!

Nice boa!

So precious, congratulations on your first noodle :gj: wishing you both nothing but the best..

I got a couple more shots of Remby today - he doesn't stay very still, so I've yet to take any good photos. Loving the tongue flicks though :D

https://i.imgur.com/TZOaxaT.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/cDb8NFP.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/YN20zFB.jpg?1

Awesome little guy you got there :gj:
First snake and you go with a boa... :bow:

He is gorgeous! And as far as all your temp ranges and hot spot I think you’re doing okay. I might make the hot spot a few degrees warmer because I’ve heard 73-80 for ambient and 95-100 hot spot. But I could be wrong so I hope others jump in and let us know! But I do think you’re doing very well

Do NOT go over 95 for a hot spot at the very maximum. Ideally 90* hot, 78-80* cool.

Nice looking critter and congrats!


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Your little nics looking great, my nics always been a live wire always on the go and very rarely holds on
I use 88-90 for my hotspot I wouldn’t go any higher that’s for sure


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Congrats!
my Central American boa was my first snake too(as an adult, had bp’s Decades ago). I can’t say any of my snakes is my favorite bc they all have different attributes I enjoy, but I can say without hesitation that my boy Irwin has the best personality by far!
Enjoy!

I think he's awesome looking, and congrats on your first snake, also for sharing with us here! :gj:

Thanks for all the kind words, everybody! I'm so happy to be able to share this little guy here because I've yet to make snake keeper friends in real life haha.

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Originally Posted by RickyNY

Awesome little guy you got there :gj:
First snake and you go with a boa... :bow:

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I actually thought boas sounded easier to work with than BPs, except for the size factor (I'm small) - which is why dwarfs seemed like such a sweet deal. Still, I was pretty sure I was going to settle on a colubrid, but when I got to hold a Nic boa at the store I was pretty smitten. (then I found out that Nics have a nippy reputation, but the one I saw was pretty darn docile so I took the plunge... so far so good *fingers crossed*)

I've read enough about boas that I don't think I'll be too surprised by anything going forward... hopefully!

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Originally Posted by caravaggiooo

....then I found out that Nics have a nippy reputation, but the one I saw was pretty darn docile so I took the plunge... so far so good *fingers crossed*)

I've read enough about boas that I don't think I'll be too surprised by anything going forward... hopefully!

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I had a Mexican BCI for many years that was a confirmed & "repeat offender" (feisty biter!) that I got as a yearling, free & unwanted. With a little patience,
she never bit me even once. Mexican BCI's have a similar reputation, but empathy & knowing they're just afraid can often often work wonders. ;)

Im really not sure why they have a nippy reputation as mine have been pretty easy going I had my Hypo nic from 3 months and never been snappy, touchwood never been nipped by her either, she thinks she’s being fed every day like , quick stroke with something normally my hand unless her face is at the glass and straight out no bother once she realises she ain’t getting food
I think they great for a first snake and you know proper nics are not going to be very big and very rarely thicker than most peoples wrist


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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Im really not sure why they have a nippy reputation as mine have been pretty easy going I had my Hypo nic from 3 months and never been snappy, touchwood never been nipped by her either, she thinks she’s being fed every day like , quick stroke with something normally my hand unless her face is at the glass and straight out no bother once she realises she ain’t getting food
I think they great for a first snake and you know proper nics are not going to be very big and very rarely thicker than most peoples wrist


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I was surprised to see that as well, and so far Remby's been anything but aggressive/bitey. I did ask the store people about this and they said none of the litter they had at the time were nippy at all. I'm glad I wasn't put off by what I read online about Nics because the more I hear about them from you and the store (who've had actual experience with them), the more I look forward to spending more time with my little guy.

I'm also going to try to feed conservatively since I've seen a lot about how common overfeeding is for boas - and even if mine's a male dwarf I'd rather not take any chances with regards to size, haha.

Speaking of size, I'm looking ahead to this guy's forever home, and although it won't be for a while I'm trying to decide on a PVC cage size. Initially I was going to hope Remby wouldn't pass 5' and get a 3'x2' because I don't live in a big place, but it ends up I can fit a 4'x2', plus the price difference is only $30 CDN. Is bigger better? On one hand I don't get the impression boas are too active but on the other, more space couldn't possibly hurt?

The 4 x 2 will be better eventually,she’s always on her branches and has a shelf on the cool side which she chills on and looks out
Boas have a slower metabolism so beat not to overfeed anyway


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Very gorgeous guy!!

i saw some of these for sale recently and was very tempted!

welcome to the dwarf boa club! I don’t have a nic but a caye caulker and I love my girl. Very fun snakes!

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

Very gorgeous guy!!

i saw some of these for sale recently and was very tempted!

welcome to the dwarf boa club! I don’t have a nic but a caye caulker and I love my girl. Very fun snakes!

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Thanks! I wish I'd done a bit more research into the different localities before I went for the Nic, because there's so many other appealing ones, Caye Caulker being one of them! I literally found out about them a few days ago. Not that I know much yet but I already like dwarfs so much :)


I just fed Remby again, I remembered to use a hairdryer this time and he struck! But he let go of the mouse after he dragged it into his hide, where I hope he'll have eaten it by now... I'm such a paranoid new snake parent haha

https://i.imgur.com/nceWkDa.jpg?1

Really glad he's eating for you, boas don't tend to be that fussy when it comes to eating.
I don't think you will regret choosing a nic
They really are great boas

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Originally Posted by caravaggiooo

Thanks! I wish I'd done a bit more research into the different localities before I went for the Nic, because there's so many other appealing ones, Caye Caulker being one of them! I literally found out about them a few days ago. Not that I know much yet but I already like dwarfs so much :)


I just fed Remby again, I remembered to use a hairdryer this time and he struck! But he let go of the mouse after he dragged it into his hide, where I hope he'll have eaten it by now... I'm such a paranoid new snake parent haha

https://i.imgur.com/nceWkDa.jpg?1

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Keep us posted !!

The trick for the hairdryer trick is to keep repeating the process, reheat with hairdryer and offer INSTANTLY if they strike or even just tongue lick ... reheat and offer instantly... repeat until it's grabbed and eaten ..


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Keep us posted !!

The trick for the hairdryer trick is to keep repeating the process, reheat with hairdryer and offer INSTANTLY if they strike or even just tongue lick ... reheat and offer instantly... repeat until it's grabbed and eaten ..


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Thanks for the tip! During the first two feedings, he'd dropped the mouse as if he wasn't going to eat it but pretty much inside his hide, so I'd left it there and hoped for the best. So far it's worked out but I'll keep it in mind in case it doesn't!

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Originally Posted by caravaggiooo

Thanks for the tip! During the first two feedings, he'd dropped the mouse as if he wasn't going to eat it but pretty much inside his hide, so I'd left it there and hoped for the best. So far it's worked out but I'll keep it in mind in case it doesn't!

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If they're in their hide ... all the better ! For example Royals generally prefer to strike from within their hide and eat it in there as well ... some people lift the hides out before feeding which is the WORST thing to do


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

If they're in their hide ... all the better ! For example Royals generally prefer to strike from within their hide and eat it in there as well ... some people lift the hides out before feeding which is the WORST thing to do


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I made that mistake the very first time, so I was really lucky he still ate for me :oops: I thought I knew what I was doing, but reading about it and actually doing it are entirely different matters, clearly. I definitely won't be doing that again! There's so many little details of snake keeping I still need to learn.

Another example of my newbie-ness: I know boas tend to not poop often but I'm still anxiously awaiting Remby's first bowel movement. At the same time I'm worrying if he peed or passed urates and I missed it in the substrate... gah

Your doing great my friend!!! These dwarf boa's are great snakes. I love my 2 girls to pieces. When it comes to feeding they are ready to pounce and never skip a meal. My one girl always knows it's feeding day because she has her head sticking out of her hide half way waiting. She reminds me of a dog waiting for his bone... :dog:

I finally managed to get a decent picture! This guy really won't hold still for long :D I don't get the feeling he's tense or afraid but he always seems to want to go places!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/rXi8BQG.jpg

bonus:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/xMuRO0n.jpg

I did NOT realize boa constrictors are so cute.

My nics still are on the go all these years later.ive noticed they don’t like holding on either,the amount of times I’ve nearly dropped them lol
,boas are cute especially with that little tash
You will love the pinks and peaches that come and go on the nics


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not much to report other than that his third feeding was successful, and that he seems quite curious and active outside the enclosure!

https://i.imgur.com/wGWsdF1.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/JMxBG1q.jpg?1

I'm really enjoying him :) my only concern now is that I've yet to see any urates/urine or poop from him still, it feels weird to be hotly anticipating snake poo haha

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Originally Posted by caravaggiooo

not much to report other than that his third feeding was successful, and that he seems quite curious and active outside the enclosure!

https://i.imgur.com/wGWsdF1.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/JMxBG1q.jpg?1

I'm really enjoying him :) my only concern now is that I've yet to see any urates/urine or poop from him still, it feels weird to be hotly anticipating snake poo haha

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He’s looking great, and I really dig the artist names for him and your user name. Caravaggio is one of my all time favorite painters.
On the snake bathroom usage topic... what substrate do you have him on? He’s so small that his poops and urates could easily be hidden if you are using anything remotely natural looking as bedding.


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

He’s looking great, and I really dig the artist names for him and your user name. Caravaggio is one of my all time favorite painters.
On the snake bathroom usage topic... what substrate do you have him on? He’s so small that his poops and urates could easily be hidden if you are using anything remotely natural looking as bedding.


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Thank you!! Lovely to meet a fellow art enthusiast :) I'm just mostly very uncreative with naming, so I picked an easy theme and stuck with it, haha (my also-recently acquired cat is Caspar after Caspar David Friedrich).

You're right, I'm currently using cypress mulch, and I did wonder how I'm supposed to find poop and such in there. I've been trying my best to look for any bathroom activity but I could easily have missed something. So would you recommend switching to paper towel or newspaper until he puts on more size?

Also, does poop/pee smell very much at this size? I thought I'd be able to tell if there was any bathroom activity by smell but I'm not sure about that any more either.

I might have found a poop a few days after I got him (3 weeks ago) - there was a little brown thing that I thought smelled funny so I took it out but honestly I'm not sure.

Very handsome critter. Great first snake too. Boas have been making a very positive impression on me lately. :)

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Very handsome critter. Great first snake too. Boas have been making a very positive impression on me lately. :)

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Thank you :D I've been a bit shy about posting outside this thread but I've been admiring your incoming boa from afar, congrats on that!

I'm surprised smaller boas aren't recommended more often as beginner snakes, I know it's been only a few weeks, but so far Remby's been a breeze, at least feeding and handling-wise.

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Originally Posted by caravaggiooo

Thank you!! Lovely to meet a fellow art enthusiast :) I'm just mostly very uncreative with naming, so I picked an easy theme and stuck with it, haha (my also-recently acquired cat is Caspar after Caspar David Friedrich).

You're right, I'm currently using cypress mulch, and I did wonder how I'm supposed to find poop and such in there. I've been trying my best to look for any bathroom activity but I could easily have missed something. So would you recommend switching to paper towel or newspaper until he puts on more size?

Also, does poop/pee smell very much at this size? I thought I'd be able to tell if there was any bathroom activity by smell but I'm not sure about that any more either.

I might have found a poop a few days after I got him (3 weeks ago) - there was a little brown thing that I thought smelled funny so I took it out but honestly I'm not sure.

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It probably won’t smell too much with cypress mulch. I’ve got my 3 month old bcc on plain white paper for quarantine purposes right now and it stinks a little when he goes #2. It’s a remarkably tiny poop though hah! Almost wouldn’t notice if it didn’t leave a stain on the paper. I’ve gotten used to cleaning up retic poop which I can sometimes smell before I even walk into the snake room


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

It probably won’t smell too much with cypress mulch. I’ve got my 3 month old bcc on plain white paper for quarantine purposes right now and it stinks a little when he goes #2. It’s a remarkably tiny poop though hah! Almost wouldn’t notice if it didn’t leave a stain on the paper. I’ve gotten used to cleaning up retic poop which I can sometimes smell before I even walk into the snake room


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Thanks for your input! I think I'll give paper towel a try when I do his monthly clean, which is coming up soon.

Gosh, retics seem so cool but I don't know how you keepers deal with their messes I've heard so much of, I'm already getting intimidated by full-grown (dwarf) boa poops, at least I have a ways to go until then! Honestly, props to you :D

He did it, he took an adorable little dump and passed some urates as well! I'm so relieved :D

A couple random pics - until I get a better camera I think I'll give up on getting shots outside the enclosure, this guy is such a wiggly little noodle.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Ggwqbcv.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/J5QIJrN.jpg?1

Looking great,
he will calm down .you only had him a short while and he will get to trust you, just sit and let him go from hand to hand that’s what I’m doing with my two new little worms, the females not too bad. She will sit and stare at at mate and I can see her trying to work me out But the male just wants to go, but I’ve only had them a fortnight so I’m pleased so far, the male only struck once at me last week but that’s it
Early days[emoji1303]


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Looking good my friend! Love his coloring and patterns. I never really looked into Nic's when doing my research, but a lot more people are getting them. Did you say yours was a hypo Nic?

Nics are very underrated, my female Hypo nic was 3 in June and not a big snake and is never going to be over girthy either,I love her freckling too


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Originally Posted by Jus1More

Looking good my friend! Love his coloring and patterns. I never really looked into Nic's when doing my research, but a lot more people are getting them. Did you say yours was a hypo Nic?

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Thank you! Yep, he's a hypo, which I actually didn't know when I was getting him. He's growing on me very quickly, I think the natural boa look is really nice!

I definitely saw much less on Nics than, say, Hog Islands, which seems to me like the most commonly discussed/kept locality? There's next to no specific information on Nics so I had to grill the store about basic info like how big they actually get.

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Originally Posted by caravaggiooo

Thank you! Yep, he's a hypo, which I actually didn't know when I was getting him. He's growing on me very quickly, I think the natural boa look is really nice!

I definitely saw much less on Nics than, say, Hog Islands, which seems to me like the most commonly discussed/kept locality? There's next to no specific information on Nics so I had to grill the store about basic info like how big they actually get.

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I am glad you are bonding with him. Like I said, I could not find a lot of readings on this type of boa myself. The crew at Tails and Scales will be able to answer some of those questions. I would speak with Ramone if you can or Nelson, who is the owner. Also, our friend Richard on this site should be able to help as well since he owns one too. Keep us posted with all the process :thumbsup:

Some close-ups today :)

https://i.imgur.com/Aa9gRIx.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/ZfXxtNj.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/YSK644r.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/S461Ed0.jpg?1

Great pics, I love the pinks and peaches on the nics sides and also the white edges to their black tong is so cool


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what a great looking Animal this is on my wish list ..

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Great pics, I love the pinks and peaches on the nics sides and also the white edges to their black tong is so cool


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Yes, this one looks different then your 2 Richard.. The pinks/peaches are softer compared to your one girl with the bright oranges. What type of Nic do you think this one might be?

There colours get better with age my female Hypo nic started off like and by the time she was two the colours started to intensify,yours may be just a Nicaraguan,but there’s a fair bit of pink so should get better with age


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Rembrandt is still doing well from what I can tell, he just took his 5th meal with no issues :) I think I've finally figured out the mouse preparation techniques + room lighting combination that gets him to strike, haha.

I'm just thinking way ahead to his forever cage upgrade - I'll likely go for a 4 x 2 as I mentioned, but I'm trying to decide on heat tape vs RHP. The room always stays above 75 f, would I be ok with just the heat tape? Ideally I won't have to spend an extra $100 on a heat panel... Do any of my fellow boa keepers have thoughts?

Really glad he’s settling in.
I’ve got a ceramic 150w bulb and cage round it and at one end of my 4ft wooden viv and that gives me the perfect temp gradient from hot end to cool end and even the ambient in the middle if perfect,most of the time there in the cool end unless just eaten like,

Just make sure you have a thermostat attached and probe position in the right place



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