Quote Originally Posted by H.o.F.R View Post
I would normally agree 100% with evenstar (and the rest of you). however this is one where our opinions differ just a bit. I also have heard for years that breeders leave males and females together about 11 months out of the year. that 12th month is when the female is about to drop her brood. I also have housed boas together successfully in the past and never seen their health deteriorate over any amount of time. Do any of you have studies to back up this idea? or have any of you personally seen it within your own collection? have you even ever tried to house 2 boas together long term? I'm not suggesting just anyone should do it. there are a lot of things to consider to do it correctly. certainly just having one big enclosure with a hot spot, a cold side, and a couple hides doesnt justify throwing 2 snakes in together. but it can/does get done safely and effectively. As for the whole "what if theres a regurge" issue..... I'm sorry but if one of my snakes regurges i've got bigger issues than trying to figure out which one did it. i'm checking temps, heat pads, T-stats, and my stock of prey to see why there was a regurge. Boas are solitary animals except during breeding. you shouldnt house them together. Youre doing it all wrong. hey op..... Find someone (probably one of the 10ish breeders that told you it was ok) and ask them what they are doing and how they are doing it and for how long they've been doing it. make an educated decision on what you want to try. I dont give a rats hiney which way you choose to do it. but make an informed decision, keep acurate records, keep us posted on how they are doing, keep the pics coming, and if you are successful in what ever method you choose write a book about it called The New Guide to Boa Husbandry Bible So we all have a reference to point to when we tell some one thats not the way to do it! Instead of cuz I said so.
I don't think anybody was ripping on him. The studies you asked for are pretty much field observations that state boas are solitary and do not live in groups. Russo, Rentfro and actual herpetologists like O'shea note their observations in the wild. Some exceptions include groups of thermo regulating boas and breeding broods. Male boas WILL fight over territory and a female. Your point is noted in captivity and I believe it can be done but with some added risk. Nothing bad may ever happen but in general most agree they are more comfortable alone. No disrespect to you or your point. Just did not want you to think anybody was being a killjoy because they said separate is more advisable. As you said do what works best for you and take notes.