Just got my First Boa: A female Dumeril's

[The Serpent Merchant]

So as the title says I just picked up my first Boa, she is a birthday present for my girlfriend. I got a female dumeril's that is 4 months old according to the reptile shop I got her from (Pet Bazaar in Orlando, Fl) She weighs 120 grams and is somewhere around 18 inches long. She is super chill and doesn't seem interested in using the hides I provided for her. I'll get some pictures up at some point.

I do have a question. They guys at the reptile shop had her on cypress mulch. I have never used the stuff but would be willing to if need be. I don't have any humidity problems as my cages stay around 60% without misting. Do they like to burrow in the mulch? I currently have her on paper towels for quarantine purposes but am willing to use something else. I am currently using a UTH regulated to 87 degrees by my herpstat, humidity as I said is 60% and the air temperature is 76. If I switch over to mulch I will use a RHP to heat her enclosure (a AP T8 or T12 do they need more than 1 foot of cage height?)

[fortoday634]

Congrats on the new pick up.

I tried cypress mulch and found it to be too dirty and dusty. Then tried Carefresh and found it to suck the humidity out of the cage and caused her to have a poor shed. Now she is back on aspen and it's been the best substrate we've found for her for numerous reasons. Since Dumeril's are ambush predators they will burrow. You will also find Dumeril's urate quite often. The aspen makes it easier to spot clean over the cypress mulch as well.

As far as the cage height you should be ok for now. Perhaps in a few years you might want to consider a T-10 since they like to burrow and have a higher litter dam.

Here's a pic of our girl, Tetra.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Perhaps in a few years you might want to consider a T-10 since they like to burrow and have a higher litter dam.

Thanks for the reply. I hadn't thought about the substrate dam, I was leaning towards a new T12 anyway, but that pretty much sold me on the idea.

[fortoday634]

Belly heat should be fine too. Tetra likes a hot spot of 86 - 88F and enjoys the cool side at 74 - 78F. In my experience I have noticed they do not require high humidity as some claim. At 50 - 60% after her eyes go clear it has always resulted in a clean shed. With the Carefresh she was at 40% or perhaps lower and it was a disaster.

[TheWinWizard]

Ditto on the aspen for the Dumeril. Congrats on the pickup and good luck with her.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Alight here she is. Her name is Nergal

[fortoday634]

She's pretty. I like the lighter coloration next to her patterns. If I remember correctly it resembles a Chinese symbol for old.

One more thing, I have notice our Dumeril's can be a shy eater. She dislikes F/T and prefers F/K. A sure tell sign she is hungry is she will defecate, burrow for a few days, and not move. Then I dangle the food above her head with tongs and she explodes out from the substrate. Be prepared because it flies everywhere and makes a mess (another reason I don't like cypress). Other times she will be in her hide and I have to leave it in there on a paper plate, with her cage light off, and then leave the room. 10min later it's gone.

Good luck! Get ready to have a new favorite in your collection.

[dragonboy4578]

What a beautiful boa.... Congrats.

[MSG-KB]

So Very Very Nice, Just love Her. My wife is looking at one of these because of friends have one that is a sweet heart.

[jdouglas]

Awesome pick up! I bet she will love it!