Considering Getting a RTB, some questions

I've been considering getting a red-tailed boa for a few weeks, now, and I learned from my manager that I would be able to get one for $60 if I order through him -- that kind of pushed my decision further.

Is it safe to keep 2 different kinds of snakes within the same room (not tank), right next to each other, or would I need to give some space between them? I have a ball python right now, and it has pretty much the same heat requirements as a boa, so I was thinking of sharing a basking lamp. Both will still have their own heating pads, though.

Also, is it okay to hold 2 different snakes at the same time? It's probably not a good idea even if they do become settled in, but I need to know for sure.

Lastly, would a 50+ gallon long aquarium be able to house an adult, full-grown boa? A co-worker said a 55 or so would work. I want to know if there are different options, such as plastic tubs and whatnot that are big enough.

For starters, do NOT house them in the same room for atleast a period of 6months to a year. This is to quarantine them from from the possible spread of IBD, mites, etc. IBD is very, very bad and can/will be spread between your snakes if your RTB happens to have it. Even after that time period, I personally would not house the animals next to each other just to be safe. So this means your going to need another basking lamp.

Next, ultimately they you're snakes so you can handle them however you want, however I find that having both my bp and RTB out at the same time just seems to stress out my ball and is something I avoid.

Yes, a full grown RTB can live in a 55gal tank, however RTBs have been known to break through the glass because of how hard they strike. I would look into getting either a boaphile or a reptile plastics tub for you boa once it gets some size on it.

http://www.reptiletubs.com/ The VE series is what I use to house my RTB, and works very well and is much more cost effective than a premium cage.

Charlie my first BCI came in a 55 gallon tank. He is 6.5-7ft long and as big around as a coffee mug. I did not feel that the 55 was at at big enough for him. He almost never moved around and he had rub injuries on his nose from the enclosure being to small and it was very hard to get a water tub big enough for him to soak in inside of it. My boyfriend and I built him a custom enclosure. However my 2nd Boa Jane is about 4-5ft long and I house her in one of those huge reinforced plastic christmas tree tubs. I bought it in Feb. at a discount. The only downfall on that one is she will eventually out grow it and it's lid is green with red latches. If you are going to use a tank I would go with a 75 at least for a full grown RTB. They are about the same length but they are a little wider which will help out a lot.
If you already have a 55 it will work for you for now. It should take your little guy a few years to out grow it.
I hope you enjoy him. RTB are one of my fav. :)

Guess I should have followed that link. The VE is just like Jane's tub.

Wow, yeah, that VE Reptile Tub is just about what I had in mind, and apparently its volume is about 67.45 gallons. I probably won't need it until maybe a year or two, since I'm getting the boa as a small baby.

I would not got one just because you can get one for $60. If it comes in from an unreputable source, I would pass on the deal. A boa coming in with IBD can wipe out most other snakes that come near it. A 55 gallon will more than likely not hold a full grown boa. If you insist on a cage, a 75 or 90 gallon (i forgot how big they were) will be fine. Whichever one is 4x2. Isn't a 55 gallon something like 4x1.5?

I'm ordering it through my manager, who orders all our reptiles from the same company. The reptile breeding company is giving my manager a nice price if he orders in groups of 3. My ball python was also ordered from that company, and so far he's doing fine, same with the ones still in the petstore. I will ask my manager about the retiles company, though, just to clarify. I'll also be going to another pet store - one that happens to have a giant reptiles section and an employee who actually breeds RTB's - to find out about their boas.

You should be careful about who you buy from no matter what, but especially with boas since they carry IBD with no signs whatsoever.

No matter what the species or the source purchased from you need to quarantine any incoming snake from your established and healthy snake. Having a mixed collection only makes that more important.

As far as housing you certainly don't need a massive tank or tub for a baby boa. A nice smaller tank or tub will do quite fine for the baby, let it move about and yet still feel safe and secure. RTB's are wonderful snakes but do grow fairly large so if you aren't wanting a quite big one stick with a male (make sure that's confirmed through proper popping or probing).

I would have to say avoid glass. A big aquarium is not only harder to heat and maintain heat than a plastic cage(www.boaphileplastics.com), they also weigh a ton and are a lot easier to break. Also, you will probably pay more for a glass tank than the $209 SHIPPED for a 4' by 2' boaphile cage. Well worth the money in my eyes.

I'd probably get the boa from a reputable source. Just b/c it comes with a low price tag doesn't mean its a good deal. Shop around online and see what else there is out there. You can get baby boas from highly reputable sources for not much more than 60$ that you know are healthy. If you are going for cheap, I can't help you. You get what you pay for really.

Ok, I talked to my manager, and apparently the guys who bred the pythons don't do boas. The company that's selling the boas are selling wild caught ones, so I think I'll go to Plano Pets first, before shopping online. The guy there was really cool, and he's been breeding captive boas and pythons (used to breed balls, now breeds a few albino burmese) for quite some time. Plus, I don't really trust online sites unless I can keep in contact with the breeders. I might just end up buying one directly from the breeder at Plano Pets.

So here's my current plan for the setup:
10 gallon-sized tub/aquarium if baby, bigger if not
Probably all undertank/side of tank heating through heating cord (kind of like heating tape)
Tree bark bedding
Various containers for water and hides(if needed)

I wouldn't support Plano Pets... Or anyone who sells puppy-mill puppies and kittens. Just gross.

You can find a very healthy, well-started juvenile boa from a very reputable breeder. Texas has TONS of reptile shows where you can see the babies and handle them, and know you are supporting a good breeder and not someone who is "questionable".

The next show in Arlington is on July 14th-15th. There's also one in San Antonio on June 9th-10th. www.texasreptiles.com

And remember, you also need a quality thermostat to control that undertank heating, as well as appropriate sized hides, a digital thermometer, insulation for the tank if the room you are keeping the tank in is cold, etc. I would really recommend having the enclosure set up for awhile so you can make sure the temps will remain stable and keeping humidity in isn't a problem.

I keep my boas in relatively cool rooms with no problems at all. If they need to get warn, they have a heat pad

True, I just don't like any of my snakes breathing in cold air that isn't humid. Like us in winter, they can get all dried out and possibly get an URI.

I guess it goes down to what works best for you. The rooms are usually around 75 ish at the lowest. When it hits about 80+ in the room, I usually turn the heat off for the day

Like already mentioned, quarantine!! You cannot skip that step if you want to be a good snake keeper.

That said, not all internet breeders are unreliable or what-have-you. I have my favorite breeder that I bought Kona, my Colombian red tail boa, from. Each and every time I email them, they respond quickly...within a day or two, usually within a few hours, depending on the time I emailed them. They are kind, open, honest and Kona is in perfect health, eats without problem every single week and is growing into a gorgeous young man. He costed just over $100, but he was well-worth it. I am so happy with him, and so happy with the breeder. I wouldn't support a store that sells puppy mill puppies or kittens, either, as SatanicIntention stated. That is completely wrong in my eyes. There are plenty of good internet breeders if you cannot find a GOOD source around you.

My second boa, Marley, came as an "accident." Long story, so I'll skip it. Currently, Kona is housed in a tub...95 quarts, I think. When I first got him, I kept him in a 10 gallon tank for all of about a month. He got very possessive of HIS tank and would not allow touching. He would come out on his own, but nip if you tried to take him out. So, I got this big tub and he turned less space-defensive. When he gets a bit bigger, he will be moved into Marley's big glass reptile tank (don't know what brand, size, nothing, just that it's comfortable for him and i take him out ALOT so he's happy for now) and Marley will be moved into a Boaphile.

Low prices do not mean quality animals. You want a snake that is going to be healthy, and not cost you a ton in vet bills. Whatever decision you make, I highly suggest taking the snake for a vet visit, anyway, to ensure health. I do that with all mine not long after acquiring them. Good luck, whichever way your mind goes!

Very true about the price thing. I thought the ones my manager was getting were from a quality breeder, but like he said, they might be wild caught, and that's probably why they're cheaper. Maybe if they were already at the petstore for some time, and showed no sign of illness, would I then buy it. For now, I'll continue looking around... might wait until that reptile show, too. I just want a healthy, good-looking juvenile boa (I prefer to raise them myself), and I'm not in any rush to get one.

And what's a puppy/kitten mill?

Puppy/ kitten mills are like factories. They only produce animals for financial gain, and animals are kept in filthy, crowded, disease-ridden conditions. Adults are bred too young and overbred/bred until they die basically. Animals are normally kept in wire bottomed cages that aren't cleaned.

http://stoppuppymills.org/

Those "mills" sicken me everytime I see or hear about them

Walk into a pet store (usually the nastier, privately owned ones), see a whole array of supposedly purebred, AKC registered puppies from about 20 different breeds (usually stuffed in small cages in a back room)....I'll guarantee you they are puppymilled pups. No good dog breeder dumps their babies into pet stores, let alone 20 seperate good breeders. It's a disgusting practise!

As far as getting a nice boa, this is a great time of year. There are lots being born and many good reputable boa breeders around. Check the breeders rep, ask folks you trust for their opinion and then buy with confidence. You'll get a baby that's eating and well established, you'll know it's gender, it's hatch date and it's feeding history. What you spend with the breeder and for shipping won't be much more than a pet store and you won't be as likely to end up with a sickly snake and the very high vet bills that come with that. With a good boa breeder, like with any reputable snake breeder, you'll also have the resource of that breeder before, during and well after the sale of the snake and that's something you just can't put a dollar figure on, in my opinion.

$60 for a normal boa is not overly cheap. Actually, it is around average. Pet stores typically buy them for $30 for people who are looking to dump snakes. If you are only going to pay $60, find a reptile show near you and get one from a reputable breeder or just pony up the $50 and have one shipped. I got mine from www.fantasyboas.com for $106 shipped.

In the long run if that $50 is going to make a difference than perhaps you shouldn't get a snake, because once it gets 6+ feet long and your buyin some large rats that $50 bucks goes by really fast. I understand you want to do it as "cost-effective" as possible, however buying a well started boa from a reputable breeder isn't much more once all the needed purchases are made (cage, heating, t-stat etc) and you'll probably feel better about it in the long run aswell.

That $50 will go fast when it comes to enclosures. If you can find someone to split shipping with you or can buy them locally from a breeder, $50 can feed a snake for a few months.

i guess that depends on where you get your rats. live jumbos for me are $12 so $50 doesnt last to long when you look at the snakes lifespan.

Sounds like you need to find a small rabbit breeder! Wow... $12? I pay $10 at the most for a 2lb bunny(usually $3-$5), and that lasts my boa 2 weeks, easy. When she eats rats, she might be hungry again in a week to a week and a half(even if I feed her 5-6 larges, LOL). Love 'dem bunnies.

yea... I have two places to get rats up here, Petco and some guy I know. Petco doesnt sell jumbos, and with large's at $8 that becomes a hefty bill quickly and my friend breeds them and sells me the jumbos for $12. The only place I can find bunnies is petco, but a $99.99 meal every two weeks doesn't intrigue me. I've been slowly switchin my boa to p/k (he's somewhat picky bein a rescue and all), and once he's consistent I'm gonna order me some f/t rats or bunnies.

all the jumbo's he sells me are 500g plus, so they are some huge mommas.

EXCUSE ME? $100 for a bunny? The pet stores around here sell them from 12-30 depending on color and that crap.

the petco by me only sells those fancy rabbits. I am positive the tag has four nine's on it.

Haha, no no, I didn't mean icky Petco. You can find a breeder easily by going to feed stores and looking at their bulletin board. 4H and FFA clubs may breed them and sell them. Most sell by the pound and usually already killed/frozen. Plus, they are usually the New Zealand Whites or one of the larger meat rabbits, so much healthier for the snake. I have a link of rabbit breeders in Texas at home, I'll try to find it.

Thanks Becky, that would be great. I think I've been trying for about 2 months now to switch him to p/k. so far my trick is to throw in a live mouse, have him strike that and then I can usually just drop in a p/k jumbo and he'll take it. I think he likes the thrill of the hunt. lol. The live mice part is easy, I breed those suckas, just don't have the room necessary to breed rats for my boa though. Once he gets a few more meals in him and is hopefully used to the p/k routine, I'll check out the info you give me and/or call up rodentpro.

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Originally Posted by Gooseman

Thanks Becky, that would be great. I think I've been trying for about 2 months now to switch him to p/k. so far my trick is to throw in a live mouse, have him strike that and then I can usually just drop in a p/k jumbo and he'll take it. I think he likes the thrill of the hunt. lol. The live mice part is easy, I breed those suckas, just don't have the room necessary to breed rats for my boa though. Once he gets a few more meals in him and is hopefully used to the p/k routine, I'll check out the info you give me and/or call up rodentpro.

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He strikes the live mouse and then what? I'm confused? Are you saying you remove the mouse from his mouth or something or does he always miss? My snakes always hit their target so that wouldnt work. Maybe your saying he eats that first. I'm just wondering what you mean when you say he strikes it AND THEN you throw in the p/k rat.

he strikes it... swallows it, then I drop in a p/k rat and as of late he's been content with that. every now and then he'll insist on a live rat, but I'm slowly moving him away from that. I have no problems with him eating, he has never skipped a meal with me, it's just the normal switchin him over to p/k process and it's usual tricks.

All my boas are on f/t. I just tap the rat on their face and they take it

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Originally Posted by Gooseman

i guess that depends on where you get your rats. live jumbos for me are $12 so $50 doesnt last to long when you look at the snakes lifespan.

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where are you buying your rats from?

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Originally Posted by Gooseman

yea... I have two places to get rats up here, Petco and some guy I know. Petco doesnt sell jumbos, and with large's at $8 that becomes a hefty bill quickly and my friend breeds them and sells me the jumbos for $12.

all the jumbo's he sells me are 500g plus, so they are some huge mommas.

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Here ya go: http://www.prma.org/breeder_rabbits.htm

It's also helpful to email the people from Texas on that list, and see if they know anyone in your area.

A Vet Tech friend of mine, Theresa Shisk-Saling, also breeds rabbits and you might want to shoot her an email or call her. She may have some extras you can buy. She works for A&M :) and is a complete hoot!

I just started breeding rabbits for my Boas. My Charlie wasnt to happy about it. He refused for 2 weeks. Well I tell you what after thaw and refreeze and thaw and refreeze that bunny was stinky. I wasnt going to give it to him I was gonna toss it and kill another one for him. Well I figured I would give it a try and sure enough that stinky bunny did the trick he ate it with in 10 minutes. I know it sounds gross but it will not hurt them to eat the stinky rethaws and I think the smell helps them decide to eat it.

....yeah...total hijack....
Well anyways, I've decided to wait until that Arlington reptile show to choose out a boa. I'll get a cage setup soon, though.
Feeders aren't that big of a problem for me. I can get mice almost for free, and I know some petstores that carry large rats. Plus, the petstore I work at usually has a nice selection of sizes; from pinky mice to young rats, and occasionally we'll have a few giant rats around (they tend to escape pretty easily though, even with a rock on the cagetop). We could always order some cheap rabbits, too, if need be.

Oh yeah, and money isn't really that much of a problem; I just wanted to get a good deal.

Check out the links and stuff Becky mentioned Ben. Our PetCo has those $100 bunnies as well (they are fancies plus they are neutered/spayed hence the higher cost). When we were feeding the big boa before she went to Becky we had a meat rabbit breeder only 5 miles away so got lovely rabbits (the guy bred for the restaurant trade) for about $10.00. That's a very reasonable feeding bill at two rabbits per month. Do a Google search on "meat rabbit breeds" so you can make sure you are buying that, some rabbit breeds have much less meat to bone ratio than the meat breeds.