Christmas Boa Heat Concerns

[Flint]

Lot's of stuff to prepare, but there is time. A 4 foot Colombian boa is not that big. Mine is about 4' 7" and I always imagined that would seem large. He still curls up in a tiny spot, but you will need some space for proper thermal regulation.

I'm definitely not worried about size, I was planning on a 7-9ft snake when I personally purchased. I am just concerned about caging is all.

You CAN find some very affordable deals on caging, and I'm talking about good caging. I was in the hunt at one point, and found used Boaphiles for $100 each with Flexwatt already installed, the next day in the classifieds I found a breeder willing to sell me a boa and a cage for about $160. I opted to by brand new from Pro-Line but there are many deals to be had.

I seem to be in a "dead area" as far as reptile-related deals. A woman on CL the other day was trying to desperately get rid of her two dragons in a 10 gal for $300. We just don't have any breeders around here, Petsmart/Petco are our only options and the average person that buys a snake there, isn't going to come home and buy a $300 cage for it, they are going to stick with their fish tank. /:

Don't skip on thermostats or heating options.

I told him as soon as he told me the heat tape wasn't in the box that we needed to order some right away or there would be HUGE issues and he honored my telling him.

I don't know how old you are, but getting married and having a baby are pretty big life changers, and if you are short on cash, suffice to say,,,, the snakes will be the last thing on your mind.

I am freshly nineteen (as of mid-October) not so worried about the wedding (due to money right now, we are only getting our license and paying someone $30 to let us sign their paper, lol) but I think that Aliceander and the snakes will be equally worried about. My animals are a huge part in my life and while I've never been a mom, I don't think they will fall much under being cared and concerned for than my daughter. They are my babies, after all!

That said I like your enthusiasm and efforts to do this right. I think you'll get this worked out, and coming here for advice is a good move.

When in doubt, I always look for a forum. It took three to find this one and I was actually referred to this one via another new member on the first forum I joined who was getting attacked frequently as well. This forum has been nothing but wonderful and I haven't seen many attacks even on the more ignorant owners I have seen on here. I hope to be a member for a long time and after I've been here for a good six months to a year, I may even become a member and contribute a little bit.

The person that "gifted" you the snakes didn't do you or the snakes any favors, but I'm sure they had no idea what goes into the actual keeping of some reptiles or that you were not ready. Let's hope there are no medical issues, and they take food and shed properly!

I am very anxious to actually have the snakes in hand and inspect them personally. I, too, hope they are healthy, eat well and shed well.

There is a person on here who's moniker is "EXPENSIVE HOBBY", and it's true.

I kept and bred monitors and larger lizards as well as dragons and geckos. I am FULLY aware how expensive this hobby can be!!!!