It's all Jimi's fault!

Back when Jimi had that thread about the snake who was WAY overdue, I started watching the RTB forum for updates. Then I started looking at the other threads, and seeing all the pics, and I've really started to fall in love with the beauty of them, although I do joke that I'll get one as soon as someone offers me a "red bodied boa" because I just love the color and pattern of their tails and wish the whole snake looked like that!

Plus it seems like their personalities can be pretty nice too.

Anyway, one thing I've always promised myself is that I'll never get a snake that will get too big for one adult to handle safely by themselves. I know the females can get pretty big, but the males tend to be smaller. However, I've gotten some pretty varied responses on just how big a male RTB is likely to get.

So, what insight can you all give me?

males normally max out at about 5 to 6 feet

And also, these snakes take a long time to get to their large size and so you have some years to plan ;)

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Originally Posted by Aaron Ward

males normally max out at about 5 to 6 feet

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In addition to their shorter length, they have much less girth than a female.

thus the reason i got a MALE hog island/columbian.. im expecting him to top out around 6' we will see though. Hes only about 500g now

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Originally Posted by ADEE

thus the reason i got a MALE hog island/columbian.. im expecting him to top out around 6' we will see though. Hes only about 500g now

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My guess is your guy will top out at about 5. Man I love Hogs!

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

No one really said if adult males should be safe for one adult to handle when alone? 5 - 6 feet and not so girthy sounds ok, I think, but I really know very little about bigger snakes.

When McKinsey said these guys take a while to grow up, how long is that?

I would love to get an albino sunglow or moonglow female boa... Could you just imagine having a pimped out display with that beauty slithering around? Hecks ya... Go for a female, all the way :gj:

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Originally Posted by kc261

When McKinsey said these guys take a while to grow up, how long is that?

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Depends on the snake, some reach good size in a 2 years, some 3 or 4.

Big snakes are not to be taken lightly, but that being said, my 5'3" 90lbs girlfriend can handle my 6.5 foot females no prob.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I would love to get an albino sunglow or moonglow female boa... Could you just imagine having a pimped out display with that beauty slithering around? Hecks ya... Go for a female, all the way :gj:

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Yep, me too!!
I'll be 50 years old next year and I really wanted a sunglow from Jimi.....
Alas, he fears it will not be. In fact, he said it will not be.
Crud.
So, now what do I do?????

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Originally Posted by starmom

Yep, me too!!
I'll be 50 years old next year and I really wanted a sunglow from Jimi.....
Alas, he fears it will not be. In fact, he said it will not be.
Crud.
So, now what do I do?????

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LOL, buy from someone else! psst:whisper: vpi.... tracy barker..... available.....

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Originally Posted by kc261

...When McKinsey said these guys take a while to grow up, how long is that?

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I have two yearling Bci's who are smaller than most of my ball pythons!!!

Ball pythons grow so fast and Bci's seem to take forever. From everything that I've read and seen, I'd say that you have 2 or 3 years before you could look at it and say that it had gotten big. You grow Bci's slowly....

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Originally Posted by Patrick Long

Big snakes are not to be taken lightly, but that being said, my 5'3" 90lbs girlfriend can handle my 6.5 foot females no prob.

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I know they aren't to be taken lightly, that's why I'm asking! :P

Your answer actually helps a lot, thanks!

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Originally Posted by kc261

I know they aren't to be taken lightly, that's why I'm asking! :P

Your answer actually helps a lot, thanks!

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I hope thats not sarcasm ;):D

You know just be a smart snake owner, and know your limits. It may take you a while with someone helping you before you feel comfortable to do it on your own, or you may never get to that point.

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Originally Posted by starmom

I have two yearling Bci's who are smaller than most of my ball pythons!!!

Ball pythons grow so fast and Bci's seem to take forever. From everything that I've read and seen, I'd say that you have 2 or 3 years before you could look at it and say that it had gotten big. You grow Bci's slowly....

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This is something I had no idea about. Thanks for pointing it out. It is irrelevant to my original question about whether or not they are safe for a single person to handle once they get to their full adult size, but it is still very good to know. It also shows me that I really don't know much about these guys, which I knew, but now I know a little more clearly.