Adult BCI?

[invadertoast]

Does anyone have a picture of an adult BCI with something to show its size? I know how long they get but I still don't have a great idea of how big they get, lol. Thanks guys!

[Ginevive]

This pic is on boa-constrictors.com; It's a BCI. The site says that it's the biggest one in captivity in Germany, and got that big from being fed guinea pigs. I'd imagine that, fed only rats, a bci would not get to such extreme hugeness!

[Marla]

That is one hefty snake!

[Ginevive]

I don't think that most people's bci's in captivity will ever get that big! It's the result of powerfeeding using adult rabbits and guinea pigs. I guess that these can be fed to bci's when they (the prey items) are babies, but adult g-pigs will create a hugely fat and long snake such as the one in the above pic!

[iceman25]

Its unhealthy for a snake just like obesity is in people.

[Ginevive]

That's true. I am sticking to a strict once-a-week feeding regime with my little bci so he does not end up obese and power-fed.

[Kara]

What makes you think that particular snake is obese & unhealthy? Mature, breeder boa females can be HUGE - extremely muscled, heavy-bodied animals that are neither fat nor unhealthy.

You'd be amazed how big a boa can get over time, without being "power fed" - try looking at an 8 or 10 year old animal that has been fed a reproductive diet as opposed to just a "maintenance" diet - you'll see a huge difference.

Just my $.02

K

[Smynx]

Kara, what is the difference between "reproductive" diets and "maintenance" diets?

[Smulkin]

QUANTITY I would imagine hehe. I'd like to see that snake on the ground coiled.

[iceman25]

Good point Kara. I was just refering to powefeeding in general and not the BCI in the above picture. But then again what do I know, I don't own a redtail :?