Rembrandt - Nicaraguan Boa (first snake!)

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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