Potential Red-Tail

I was talking to a friend of mine from class today and she stated that she had a red tail that she needs to get rid of because she doesn't have the time for her. She's asking 150 with the entire set-up and still debating on a price for just the snake.

She's going to get me better information, but I wanted to ask about the care of the red tail. I've read the caresheet, but I wanted to ask from your experiences, what works best with these guys if I do end up buying her.

Please, please, please!

Is she a common red tail, i.e., boa constrictor imperator or BCI, or a "true" red tail, i.e., boa constrictor constrictor or BCC? The latter get a bit bigger, females usually between 7-10'.

Have a look at the following website to give you a better idea of the differences between boa localities. =)

Here's our baby BCC, Carmen:
http://www.onlinethingy.com/files/gr...carmenpic2.jpg

Hmm... I'm not sure what you're asking. They're pretty easy snakes, they just need more space. They'll climb if you give them a branch, but it's not necessary. The temps are a little cooler than Balls. Humidity is about the same. They're not as picky with food, at least mine sure isn't. They're much faster and stronger than a Ball, just something to be aware of.

Oh, and I'm sure you've read about that they can be carriers for IBD.

Great snakes, though!

I'm actually going to gather all of the information about her here and then debate whether or not i have the money and the space for another reptile. Personally speaking, I just want to make sure she doesn't sell it to a kid.

I'm sure I could handle the responsibility and again be a paranoid mommy, but I'm not sure if I need to. I want to. Hell yes, do I want to. I just have to think about what's best for the snake as well as myself.

I think you're being extremely responsible to make sure you know what you are getting into and that this is the right thing for you and for the snake.

Other than confirming what exactly the snake is as far as a BCI or BCC, see if you can find out if it's been sexed as there is a good deal of size difference there to deal with. As well, I would insist that she takes the snake in for a vet check and fecal before she sells it. If she doesn't want to do so, then I'd consider it a rescue and offer to take it for free as you will then have to cover the appropriate vet visit. Any new snake needs full quarantine for at least 3 months or more, especially in a mixed collection involving boas and pythons. We do not even keep our foster BCI, Rauri, in the same room with our ball python collection and we've had him since last summer.

As far as BCI's, they make wonderful though large pet snakes. They can get to the point of eating baby rabbits but can also do just fine on jumbo rats. They are not horrifically expensive to feed but they do require larger housing and do seem to enjoy climbing and being out of their enclosures a fair bit. As much as Rauri is a super nice snake....we can't ever forget he's 6 feet of bull strong male BCI so issues regarding small pets and children should not be ignored, also secure caging so that he cannot get loose accidentally and either injure himself or upset the neighbours (the old man next door would fall over dead if he ever caught sight of Rauri!)

Let us know how it goes.

Male BCI's are pretty laid back...I'd go as far to say that it's a good "first" large constrictor for someone open to learn how to care and handle larger snakes. Male BCIs stay relatively slim and are usually pretty well tempered.

Keep researching and good luck!

Well, I just got to meet her today. Monique brought her to class because this is the only class she has today. She's absolutely beautiful, very healthy looking, and I've never seen such a sweet, docile female imperator.

I'll be paying $120 for the 40-gallon set-up with the lights, the substrate, etc. I'll also be taking her to a vet as soon as I get some more money.

I'm quite set on getting her, however I wanted to know if there were any other pieces and bits of advice you might have for this purchase.

I also have one more question. She's got a little bit of left over buildup from shedding. It's about a quarter-of-an-inch long. I was wondering if it would be alright to remove this. Whether with scissors or something else. I'll ask Monique to take a picture if I remember.

I'm also typing up a contract for this purchase that we'd both sign. Are there any things I might want to put in this?

Concerning the shed... I would soak the snake in water (remember, if it's warm to your touch, it'll be hot to them). Fill a plastic tub up so that it comes about halfway up the snake, and let her soak for a bit (put the top on the container). After this is done, have her crawl through a warm, wet towel.

If this isn't enough to get the shed to come off, simply make sure her humidity is correct, and the remaining shed will come off with the next shed.

If you try pulling the shed off, it's possible to hurt the snake, perhaps even pull off skin.

And congrats on getting a boa! I love mine to pieces!

The Contract. Please tell me if this seems reasonable.

Mutual Contract of Sale

I.Items of Sale:

a.One Red-Tailed Boa; BCI/BCC

b.Entire Set-up Including 40-gallon tank.

c.Any other equipment Monique decides is viable.

II.Terms of Sale:

a.$20-$25 payments given each week or as available by Melanie Seals’ part.

b.Melanie will provide good care for the animal including vet bills, the purchase of feeding items, and any other husbandry-type items.

c.Melanie will keep the snake healthy, sound, and in a low-stressed environment.

d.At the end of the payments, the snake, the equipment, etc will be moved into Melanie’s apartment. ***This might be a bit of a tough one with being in school. We’ll figure something out.

III.Contingencies:

a.If, in the event that after a month of owning Fury she becomes ill, dies, etc, either all monies will be returned or another snake is provided.

i.This is provided not because Melanie doesn’t trust Monique, but because Melanie has seen it happen too many times not to.

And I do believe she's a BCI.

Quote:

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Mutual Contract of Sale



I.Items of Sale:

a.One Red-Tailed Boa; BCI/BCC
You don't know what it is? If you can be more specific, you probably should be.

b.Entire Set-up Including 40-gallon tank.
Spell this out in detail...what does "entire setup" mean?

c.Any other equipment Monique decides is viable.
I suppose this doesn't hurt anything to be here, but it is redundant. If Monique wants to throw in freebies, and it is her choice, it doesn't need to be in a contract, does it?

II.Terms of Sale:

a.$20-$25 payments given each week or as available by Melanie Seals’ part.
Very critical point left out here: TOTAL PAYMENT? How much are you paying for the snake and equipment? Also...how long do you have to pay? How long will Monique be waiting if you run into money problems and can't pay regularly or as quickly as you thought you would?

b.Melanie will provide good care for the animal including vet bills, the purchase of feeding items, and any other husbandry-type items.
Are you paying for this while the snake is still in Monique's care? Or only after you have purchased it?

c.Melanie will keep the snake healthy, sound, and in a low-stressed environment. How is this defined or proven? If the snake dies within that first 30 days of sale (as in your "contengencies" clause) Monique could claim that it was because you didn't keep your end of the bargain? And if, sometime in the future, Monique decides she wants her snake back, can she claim you aren't taking good care of it and therefore are in breach of the contract?

d.At the end of the payments, the snake, the equipment, etc will be moved into Melanie’s apartment. ***This might be a bit of a tough one with being in school. We’ll figure something out.

III.Contingencies:

a.If, in the event that after a month of owning Fury she becomes ill, dies, etc, either all monies will be returned or another snake is provided.
In an earlier clause, you state you'll be paying all vet bills...so what happens if the snake gets sick in the first 30 days? Who is expected to pay the bills?

i.This is provided not because Melanie doesn’t trust Monique, but because Melanie has seen it happen too many times not to.

---

Having a contract is a good idea and one that too few people ever consider...especially in a transaction between friends. Best thing is to try and keep it as simple and as clear as possible.

Example:

Quote:

---

Melanie agrees to pay $XXX for 1 red tail boa and enclosure. The enclosure will include 40 gal tank and.......


Monique agrees to accept XX number of payments of $XX per week until said amount is paid in full. At such time, the snake and enclosure will be turned over to Melanie.

Monique also agrees to gaurantee the health of the snake for a full 30 days. Should the snake in question become ill or die in those first 30 days, Monique will provide vet care, refund monies paid, or replace the snake.

---

Something along those lines should be more than enough contract for this sort of transaction. Signed and dated by both of you, of course. Hope this helps some.

EDIT: Dislcaimer: I am not a lawyer and have no legal training beyond watching a lot of People's Court...any and all advice should be taken in that light. :P

Mutual Contract of Sale

Melanie agrees to pay $120 for 1 red tail boa and enclosure. The enclosure will include 40 gal tank, lights, substrate, heating pads, water bowl, etc.

Monique agrees to accept $120 number of payments of $2--$25 per week until said amount is paid in full. At such time, the snake and enclosure will be turned over to Melanie.

Monique also agrees to guarantee the health of the snake for a full 30 days. Should the snake in question become ill or die in those first 30 days, Monique will provide vet care, refund monies paid, or replace the snake.

Almost....except for this line:


Monique agrees to accept $120 number of payments of $2--$25 per week until said amount is paid in full. At such time, the snake and enclosure will be turned over to Melanie.

Should be something along the lines of:

"Monique agrees to accept 6 payments of $20 per week until said amount is paid in full. At such time, the snake and enclosure will be turned over to Melanie."

And if you happen to pay more than $20 a week, then you just pay it off faster. Also, if you go to all the trouble of having a contract drawn up, be sure to include written reciepts of payments made. Maybe a little list of payments made on the same paper the contract is written on...initialled by both of you as payments are made. That way there is never any confusion about if you missed a payment or paid extra or whatnot.

Ugh. I love Monique, but I about wanted to strangle her. A heat rock? For a boa? A HEAT ROCK?! -Bangs head on wall.- And typo fixed. Whoops!

After some careful thinking, I've decided, against my desire, to decline on buying "Fury." I do really want her, but wanting her isn't enough. I also have to have $$$. Right now, that $$$ needs to go to paying for a new apartment and buying the kids I do have, a new rack system.

If anyone's interested and is near Richmond, Virginia, let me know. I'll pass the word around.

I highly doubt that she'll just give Fury to me, so I'll just get over not having her. Oh well. The kids I have need to be taken care of before I add another one.