My first boa

[ClarkT]

Just a little background of why I got this.
A lady in my area called our local fish and game and asked if they would take her snake. The fish and game guy knows me, and called to see if I wanted a 30 lb. boa. I have only done Ball Pythons, and I have a few of those.

In talking with the lady, I found out it was about 5-1/2 feet long, so I knew it wasn't 30 lbs.

Long story short, I agreed to take it if she gave me the enclosure along with it. So she did. It's a 50 gallon tank with stand.

Anyway, I'm not sure what type she is. The lady told me she had been told it's a female.

--I gotta interject and tell the reason she gave it away. It bit her husband.
I asked "was it an agressive bite, or just a quick strike?"
"Oh, it was just a quick strike. But I have 2 little kids (a 3 yr. old and a 1 yr. old) and I just don't feel safe with it in the house now. I think what happened is that we were watching Animal Planet Hoarders. It was one where a guy had a whole bunch of venemous snakes. Our snake must have seen all those snakes on tv being agressive. The combination of that and the fact that she has never really been around other snakes made her agressive, I think."
"Oh......."

Sorry, but that's ridiculous.... Anyway, I thought, "sure, I'll take your snake, cage, rats, etc, because you have no clue...

So, yesterday I got the snake. I was a little hesitant to handler "her", but I did, and she seems as gentle as could be! Duh lady...

So, as far as I know, it's a redtail boa, but I have no idea. Can you guys help? It's 6-1/2 lbs. and 5-1/2 feet long.







Thanks for looking!

[waltah!]

Looks like a normal BCI from the pics. I think you'll be in good shape as long as you keep her from watching Animal Hoarders

Odds are she will be pretty docile for you. If you sense a shed coming on I'd leave her alone until she sheds and she will probably have a strong feeding response. You probably already know that, but I figured I'd throw it out there.
Glad she found a new home with you.

[Cendalla]

Oh man! I'm convinced that the TV is making people stupid (or stupider). It worked out great for you, though. 'She' is a great addition. All 30 pounds of her

[purplemuffin]

What a story!! Do keep her from watching hoarders..that's hilarious!!

She's a pretty girl! Is she in shed or is it just the pics? My girl gets a little pissy in shed. She will still eat like a charm though. She just stops in the middle of 'killing' her food to hiss at me!

[KatStoverReptiles]

Oh no! I watched that episode with one of my balls. My boa was in the other room. Guess I should rehome my whole collection now!

This is seriously the funniest thing I've heard all day!

Glad you gave her a good home! Shes quite dark!


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[ClarkT]

She seems to me to be in shed, but I've not had one before, so I'm not sure. She really is a sweetie. She doesn't seem aggressive at all.

I"m really torn on it, though. I like her, but I'm focused on keeping my ball python projects going, so I don't really know if I'm going to keep her.

Here are some more pics. What would a snake like this usually cost?







Thanks guys.

[purplemuffin]

Well, you feed them once a week. Think of her like a slightly bigger ball python. Bigger food, bigger cage, but still a single animal! Most BCIs never get big enough to EVER eat rabbits(except when over fed or just abnormally large!) but might need some really big XL or XXL rats! I don't know how much those cost really, so I can't help you there. Mine is still on smaller rats

Depending on how old she is she might grow a little bigger so she might need a larger cage or maybe not. You can build your own cage for a decent price. I love having my boa, I can't imagine not having one around! Great personalities!!

But as far as cost of keeping, just add up the cost of the proper sized rodent a week. You can of course buy in bulk. And a nice thing about boas is they are great garbage disposals if you have a ball python going off of feed! These guys are never NOT hungry! To sell..I have no idea! She's a big girl, so probably quite a bit!

She is deep blue right now! Just wait til she sheds!! And post pictures when she does!

[ClarkT]

I'll definitely post pics after she sheds.

We do grow our own rats, but since she needs large rats, that may be a tough thing to fit in all the time.

Whatever I do, I'll keep her well treated while she's under my care.

[ClarkT]

One other question...not being sure of the gender, how difficult is it to pop bigger boas? Or do I need to have her/him probed? I pop all my BPs, but they're easy.

[razrbak]

A very healthy looking, thick girl(?) has fallen in your lap. If it were me, I'd keep her. Having had both over the decades, a ball canot hold a candle to the personality of a sweet boa (IMHO- I know there is alot of love for balls around here, again just my opinion).
If you truly are driven to pass her on, I'd say she is worth about $10, and I'll give you double that.
Seriously though, I would imagine you should be able to get several hundred for her.
BTW, post up some pics after the doll sheds here in a few days.