Red Tail = dangerous?

I think I know the answer to this, but have not seen it spelled right out...

I would love a BCC. Is this an animal that is not safe to handle alone as an adult?

Depends on what type. There are some types that can top 11 or 12 feet and others that top at 5 or 6 feet. Many people say not to handle alone if the snake is at least 7 or 8 feet, which many red tails can top. If you are inexperienced with larger snakes, make it easy on yourself and get help once it is at 6 feet.

Very few redtails SHOULD ever get over the 8' mark unless its overfed and only ones over 10-12' are most likely extremely overfed. Even a B.c.c. if fed as conservatively as Gus at Rio Bravo reptiles does won't likely get much over the 8' mark.

As for redtails being dangerous? Sure, they can get big and are constrictors so there is a cance, a small one but a chance. I think of this mainly because of their genrally docile temperments but even the most "tame" snake can turn in a feeding response. Its not likely if you use common sense that you will ever be "attacked" by a C.b.b. redtail.

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Originally Posted by Pork Chops N' Corn Bread

Very few redtails SHOULD ever get over the 8' mark unless its overfed and only ones over 10-12' are most likely extremely overfed. Even a B.c.c. if fed as conservatively as Gus at Rio Bravo reptiles does won't likely get much over the 8' mark.

As for redtails being dangerous? Sure, they can get big and are constrictors so there is a cance, a small one but a chance. I think of this mainly because of their genrally docile temperments but even the most "tame" snake can turn in a feeding response. Its not likely if you use common sense that you will ever be "attacked" by a C.b.b. redtail.

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True, but better to be prepared than to wonder why this snake is growing larger than the typical 8' mark.

yeah...I'd rather not starve the poor thing just because I wasn't prepared for it's true potential size :)


I know that with some varieties of snakes, 8' is still not dangerous, but the girth on the Red Tails makes the difference.

I would love to get a BCC someday, but it sounds like if I do I need to make sure my spouse is 100% on board and willing to be my buddy when the enclosure is open. I need a few years of skill building as well :oops:
Surinames are so gorgeous, and the demeanor of all the red tails is just wonderful. Something you just don't get with smaller snakes :sigh2:

anyway, thanks for the input...it's always great to hear from people who keep them. Reading about length and girth is one thing, but the gut feeling of someone who handles these snakes as adults is priceless to a noob like me!

I am really hoping someone brings an adult BCC to the NH reptile show next month so I can get a look up close and personal!

If size is a concern, go with one of the dwarf BCI's.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...s/DSCN0176.jpg

They really are not hard to care for, even at larger sizes. Husbandry for most is a snap but when it comes time to put it away and that 7 foot snake does not want to go in its' enclosure then you are in for some fun:D

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Originally Posted by fishmommy

yeah...I'd rather not starve the poor thing just because I wasn't prepared for it's true potential size :)

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There's a difference between feeding conservatively and starving a snake.

I realize that...I didn't mean to imply that they were


What I meant is I don't want to be in a position where my interests might not be in the best interest of the snake. I realize that conservative feeding is well within the bounds of healthy snake husbandry :) I just didn't want to put myself at a point where I might take it to unhealthy levels due to a fear of size.

hope I didn't raise anyone's hackles...that wasn't my intent at all :oops:

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

They really are not hard to care for, even at larger sizes. Husbandry for most is a snap but when it comes time to put it away and that 7 foot snake does not want to go in its' enclosure then you are in for some fun:D

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Haha, this is sooo true it's funny. I wish I had pics of me trying to put some of mine away...I'd win a comedy award for that :O

This is average size that you would most likely deal with.

Total sweetheart but, like was said before, never wants to go back into her enclosure. Nudge the head back in, comes out again, nudge the head, comes out again....Kinda comical:D
Get a baby and it will grow with you. They don't seem so large when you grow them up plus you will have a good understanding of the snakes behavior.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...s/dd34d3af.jpg

You seem intent on a BCC, but if you like Boa Constrictor in general, then the Central American localities might be something to look into. CA boas top out at much smaller proportions as compared to South American boas (Columbians and the BCCs, etc).


I have a 2 year old male El Salvodorian boa constrictor which I have had since its birth. I have certainly fed him well, and even so, he is only at the 3.5' mark.

I have a 2 year old male Costa Rican boa constrictor who is also a pig and he is at the 4.5' mark.

I do not expect much more growth in terms of length from these two, maybe just some more girth.

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Originally Posted by fishmommy

yeah...I'd rather not starve the poor thing just because I wasn't prepared for it's true potential size :)

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There is a HUGE difference between starving and conservative feeding. Conservative feeding is simply keeping them at a healthy weight and never feeding them to the point where they get "fat". In the wild, you are never going to find an obese boas as stated by Gus from Rio Bravo and Vincent have Cutting Edge Herps. An obese boa will die young.
EDIT: didn't see someone already made the comment about starving vs. conservative feeding

yep, and I already said I get it :)

Personally I think an adult BCC is fine to handle by yourself.. it is better to have someone else with you if you can, but I don't consider boa constrictors to be 'giants' and as long as you use common sense the risk factor is quite slim.

I feed my boas conservatively (I go by what Rio Bravo says) Females eat every 2-3 weeks, males every 3-4 weeks. Juvies I feed weekly.

My adult female surinam BCC is around 7' long.. and not growing much anymore. Here is a pic for size reference:

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...8/DSCN1356.JPG

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

They really are not hard to care for, even at larger sizes. Husbandry for most is a snap but when it comes time to put it away and that 7 foot snake does not want to go in its' enclosure then you are in for some fun:D

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I have all kinds of fun getting Lars' girl back in her tub. About the time I have her pried off on hand she has curled around another . A major tug of war. She would rather be out all day just hangin' out. Quite a tussle when its time to go back in. Yet I don't see her as a threat. She has bitten when upset but doesn't even attempt to break the skin. More like trying to say just leave me alone.:sabduel:

Yeah.. Ophelia (the one in the picture) is a royal pain to get back in the cage. Just did it today after cage cleaning. I shoved her middle in, and she quickly wrapped her tail around the cage door, so I pulled that off and put it in the cage, and her head shoots out the other side and wraps around the side of the cage.. grab that, and the tail comes out again.. finally had to grab her head and shove her in while using my elbow to keep her tail off the door.

LOL

Any Snake that get's longer then 6ft need to have a second person around when you handle it for your saftey and that of the snake.That being Said both redtails we have had have been very docile snakes in most repects getting them back in there cage is always a challange. I would look into the snake and the way you plan to live your life if it fits they are a wonderfull snake. If not there are many other breeds of snake that might fit your lifestyle better. Best of luck in your search for a snake that fits your lifestyle. Think it is sad and iresponsible when a moderator continues to spout advice that is contary to the best and expected procedures for handling large snakes which may lead to serious repercusions to those that unknowingly follow the advice without doing there own reseach into the subject.

Can you please explain what you mean a little better here?

Could be that I'm wrong, but maybe he's referring to April's handling a 7 footer by herself.
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