My question of the day to the multi snakers.

[Evenstar]

I got a Colombian BCI (common red tail boa) as my second snake and it was wonderful! She was a perfect choice. 6-7 is average for males with females averaging a foot or two bigger. Dumerils can get big too - they don't necessarily stay smaller than BCIs - but they are wonderful snakes too. Most are quite calm, but enjoy being handled. And they are both intelligent and active.

I would not really recommend an Argentine boa for your first boa. They generally tend to be rather hissy and assertive. Most of it is bluff, but it can be intimidating. And they do also tend to get quite large. My boy is a puppy once I pick him up, but he definitely has an attitude! On the other hand, my two Colombians are the sweetest snakes on the planet!

A Colombian BCI or a Dumerils is your best choice for a second snake - you can't go wrong with either one!

[Gio]

WOW!
Thank you all for the replies. I've pretty much ruled out the Argentine as they are not any smaller, and I have also researched that what some here have said is true as far as their overall demeanor.

Seeing as how I will probably choose the Red Tail Or the Dumerils I would more than likely go with the one that is a bit more active in the tank. That said the one that is least likely to strike during handling is still a concern. Obviously things differ from snake to snake, but in general laid back but active and very tolerant of handling would be desired traits.

I'll look at care sheets to see which is the easiest for our situation.

Has anybody used a glass tank for any of the bigger snakes. 75 gal type? I'm not sure the design of our Critter Cage is decent for the bigger stronger snakes. The top clips seem fine for the BP but I still use a mini pad lock.

I'd think a Red T or Dums would easily break the screen and top.

Not even sure why I'm remotely excited. My wife said "it's not going to happen". My son and I have other ideas though : )

[Mike41793]

Umm, yes, I would say red tails are AWESOME! I love mine, such a different experience. He likes to be out, isn't shy, is curious and explores. He will hook his tail in my hair or tank top strap and cruise around and chill for as long as I let him. Eats like a champ, doesn't hide, so you can always see him. They aren't, (at least mine) jumpy like some bps when someone moves fast. They just don't seem to stress as easy. Male bci, will stay smaller. My vote is a male bci boa!!

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Ya i was teasing him bc he said awesome so many times in his post lol.

WOW!
Thank you all for the replies. I've pretty much ruled out the Argentine as they are not any smaller, and I have also researched that what some here have said is true as far as their overall demeanor.

Seeing as how I will probably choose the Red Tail Or the Dumerils I would more than likely go with the one that is a bit more active in the tank. That said the one that is least likely to strike during handling is still a concern. Obviously things differ from snake to snake, but in general laid back but active and very tolerant of handling would be desired traits.

I'll look at care sheets to see which is the easiest for our situation.

Has anybody used a glass tank for any of the bigger snakes. 75 gal type? I'm not sure the design of our Critter Cage is decent for the bigger stronger snakes. The top clips seem fine for the BP but I still use a mini pad lock.

I'd think a Red T or Dums would easily break the screen and top.

Not even sure why I'm remotely excited. My wife said "it's not going to happen". My son and I have other ideas though : )

Id get a PVC cage for him. And itll happen, she just doesnt know it yet

[Gio]

"And itll happen, she just doesnt know it yet"

Ha!! I love it!

I think that cage idea sounds good. I'd still like a nice display look, but I think a 75 gal glass is too heavy to deal with, and the amount of work I did on our 40 to make it right seems to be avoidable with the type you mentioned.

[DooLittle]

Ya i was teasing him bc he said awesome so many times in his post lol.



Id get a PVC cage for him. And itll happen, she just doesnt know it yet

Lol Mike, I know. I was just driving home the awesome part...

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[Rob]

Other than bps? I love my boas!

[DooLittle]

WOW!
Thank you all for the replies. I've pretty much ruled out the Argentine as they are not any smaller, and I have also researched that what some here have said is true as far as their overall demeanor.

Seeing as how I will probably choose the Red Tail Or the Dumerils I would more than likely go with the one that is a bit more active in the tank. That said the one that is least likely to strike during handling is still a concern. Obviously things differ from snake to snake, but in general laid back but active and very tolerant of handling would be desired traits.

I'll look at care sheets to see which is the easiest for our situation.

Has anybody used a glass tank for any of the bigger snakes. 75 gal type? I'm not sure the design of our Critter Cage is decent for the bigger stronger snakes. The top clips seem fine for the BP but I still use a mini pad lock.

I'd think a Red T or Dums would easily break the screen and top.

Not even sure why I'm remotely excited. My wife said "it's not going to happen". My son and I have other ideas though : )

Get your wife to hold a boa. She will probably change her mind. My red tail is so enjoyable to handle. He is very tolerant of handling, and so far in two months hasn't even thought of striking at me. He hangs out on me while I fold and put away laundry and things, and none of the movement spooks him. Mine also is usually out in his tank, except for recently when he went in to shed he hung out in a hide. Then after he shed yesterday, he was back out.

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[Mike41793]

Lol Mike, I know. I was just driving home the awesome part...

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Haha ok, idk. I was just making sure you got the joke

Get your wife to hold a boa. She will probably change her mind. My red tail is so enjoyable to handle. He is very tolerant of handling, and so far in two months hasn't even thought of striking at me. He hangs out on me while I fold and put away laundry and things, and none of the movement spooks him. Mine also is usually out in his tank, except for recently when he went in to shed he hung out in a hide. Then after he shed yesterday, he was back out.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Other than bps? I love my boas!

AHHHH i hate you guys lol. As soon as i get my own apt. ill have the room for one! Then ill show you both! Muahahahhaa

[gsarchie]

I would go with a BCC. This girl is 4 years old in the picture where her and my boys are playing in the street by our house and she is a manageable size. We had her from hatching until I left to come over here, as my wife didn't want to have to take care of her by herself. She was a little afraid of her. She was only aggressive at feeding times but was otherwise a perfect angel. As for being active in the tank, good luck finding a snake that is. I think most are at certain times of day (as in at dusk/night) but with the 7 species of snakes that I've owned none were out and about on a regular basis.

[Gio]

"As for being active in the tank, good luck finding a snake that is. I think most are at certain times of day (as in at dusk/night) but with the 7 species of snakes that I've owned none were out and about on a regular basis."

Understandable, just maybe slightly more than the BP. The girl at the reptile store said the Red Tails will often do their sleeping or lounging out in the open a little more than BP's.

I'm probably just singing the blues cause we have one in shed right now and she's DEEP in her hide. I know it's normal, but we are still so excited to have a snake and all the functions running perfectly that we run up to see what's going on day or night, then look at each other like,, "Hmmm, well there's her tail",,, then the Debby Downer music plays and we walk out LOL!

Once the shed is done we'll get her feeding and socializing again.

But now i know why people have more than one. If you have 1 shedding or digesting, there is another one to play with so to speak.

Cheers,

Gio