Considering a RTB... advice?

[Tirevy]

So I'm really keen on learning more about RTBs and hopefully getting one in the near future. I just have a few questions for those of you who have these beautiful animals

The only real thing I'm worried about is the size. I realize the sizes they can reach, and I have no problem, it's just the people I live with. So, if I get a baby RTB, how long does it take to grow to its full size? I know that there's a bunch of factors (feeding, stress, etc), but typically, how long does it take to reach it's full size?

Also, what are the sizes of your RTBs?

Do their tanks require a lot of room space? And how often do you handle them and take them out?

And finally, what do your friends/neighbours think, of a 9 foot snake in your house?

Thanks!

[Nimitz87]

www.redtailboas.com is an excellent website to check out that will answer your questions.

I believe its 2-3 years for them to become pretty large, I have a baby he is 4 months old and about 30" 115g male I handle him just about every day, extremely docile and inquisitive, much more active then a BP I have him in 40 qt tub and will keep him there till he is about 4 feet or so then move him to a 4x2 enclosure which should be good for him pretty much forever.

here is a picture of my little guy.



Chad

[Vypyrz]

Not all RTB's will get that big. There are some locality boas that will stay in the 5-7foot range when they are full grown. The first question to ask yourself is what size do you want?...

[Zach]

how long does it take to reach it's full size?

Also, what are the sizes of your RTBs?

Do their tanks require a lot of room space?

And how often do you handle them and take them out?

couple years.

around 4 ft

when i researched about a tank for my rtb i think they said you'll need 12 sq feet for an adult bcc (correct me if im wrong) so like a 150 gallon tank. there's no way I'm gonna buy a 150 though...tubs FTW

I handle her whenever but mine gets kinda cage aggressive if i don't handle her a lot.

[shorty54]

If size is a issue and you're against getting a BP. Have you ever thought about a dwarf boa? Just a suggestion....in my profile there is a picture of me and one of my girls I used to have! I ended up letting a breeder have her since he had the proper room for her! Plus, my wife is only 4'11" 100 lbs and wasn't liking having a snake that was bigger than her! LOL!

[psycho]

Well females can be the largest of them all.... they can reach 10 feet or more.... but the average ususally stays at 6-8 feet. I've also heard that if you stop handling them as often as you did before they can get pretty aggressive but can be tamed again by handling them often again...

[majorleaguereptiles]

The question you need to ask yourself is who pays the bills and are they ok with a large snake in the house? RTB get about full size in 3 years and would require IMO at least a 5'x2' on average size. Large snakes require large expensive food. If you can take sole responsibility and if the people in your household who pay the bills are ok with it, than go for it. I see a lot of young people who have to get rid of large boas and pythons because they can either no longer afford it, have the time to take care of them, or the people who own them seem to need others to help with the responsibility and then there are large problems. If you need anybody else to help care for your snakes you already own, than I would be against it. Large snakes take a lot of time and money. Just wanted to make all these points clear. If the time is right, typically these questions don't arise.... that is all I'm saying.

[majorleaguereptiles]

And I will also be the first to admit that when i was younger I made the mistake in taking in large pythons and boas, then having to go to college and become very preoccupied and unable to take care of them, look to family to help take care of them, and then a point comes to having to sell them. Now out of college with a good job, the time is right that I can do the things I've wanted. I guess it's about being patient. Smaller snakes are easy, the large ones are simply not.

[BoaFreak]

Boas are great man. I keep all mine in boaphile 422d tanks and they will be good for life in that size. If size is an issue. I would definitely go male BCI being that malea tend to be a bit smaller than females and BCIs smallee than BCCs. Also you can check out the Hogg Islands, they are amazing and males will only get around 5 foot or so. I try to handle mine at least every other day. I work offshore (one week off, one week on) so when I am home I Handel them often. I have never been bitten so apparently its enough for them. Lol. Goodluck with your decision and keep us posted

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[BoaFreak]

Here is a pic of some of my boaphiles in my living room. They all house Boas.

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