What's next

[ZacharyPoller]

OK I'm trying to figure out what's next I have 2 bps a Columbian boa and a nic boa .. I am considering something bigger now I love bigger pythons so I am thinking retic but I don't know exactly what I want yet so I am taking suggestions and when you suggest something why does the species appeal to you

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[ballpythonboy]

well it all depends on what you want. If you want something tat will get a little heavier get a burm, if you want something longer get a retic. I used to have 2 but they died and this summer im going to the reptile super show to pick up some more

[BIGBUD98]

I've never owned one so I'm not that much help but I think tiger reticulated pythons are beautiful and I really like albino Burmese pythons too


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[reptileexperts]

it's not about what appeals to someone else, its about what appeals to you. If you buy a big snake because the mass majority say its awesome, but you're in the minority that dislike working with that species (African rock pythons for example), then what are you going to do? Ultimately, you want to figure out what makes you happy and go for that. There are lot of options out there, but many of them have very special requirements, permits, among other things.

Personally, I love reticulated pythons, they are what drive me working with the big stuff. But they are not for every one. They are quick, intelligent, and have an incredible feeding response. They get large, and by large we're talking large . . . they need a large enough enclosure, and their feeding bill will be around 8-20 a week in food per female. More to think about . . .

Burmese are slower, less active, but still large and heavier bodied snakes. Males stay really reasonable at 10-11' and don't get as heavy as the females. They generally have a good temperament, but they can and will have their bad days. And you need to learn to read the snake the best you can as it grows with you.

Anacondas are awesome looking, but their musk is one of the foulest smells you'll encounter. They need a large water area, and will generally defecate in it, so its a pain to keep clean. On top of that, most of the greens have bad attitudes, while the yellows stay smaller and a lot more docile - however, the yellow anaconda, as is the Burmese, are on the lacy act restricted animals.

Boas, they get large enough for most. Getting an adult dumeril's and growing it to its full potential for instance is rewarding and gorgeous. You say you have a Columbian, those get around 7-8' tops, what size is yours now? Is it past 3-4 years old? Most are quite slow growers, perhaps that is the snake you need, its just taking some time to grow into.

Giant snakes are a big commitment, and you shouldn't just jump head first into something you have no way to commit to later in life. Make sure you can take care of it to its full extent (30 years), and that you have the space, and permits. If you get a lacy act animal, ask yourself "Will I be moving anytime soon, will I move out of the state" if you plan on leaving the state, you can't take that Burmese, African rock, yellow anaconda, or Sri Lankan Python with you according to federal law. . .

Food for thought. I suggest you dine on it for a bit.

[Gio]

Boas can get huge.

A female BCC can give you the big snake feel but with the boa temperament.

Check out this male Peruvian BCC. Yep,,, I said male!!

This is a 14 year old snake.

http://www.mccarthyboas.com/BS_5_201...t_60LBS_02.jpg



Just in case you are not quite ready for the retics just yet.

[jclaiborne]

Cody already covered tons of great points. Not trying to deter you in anyway, but I know you just recently picked up the boas and they are still tiny. I would get some more experience under your belt. Do all your research now, but a large snakes is a large commitment.

[bcr229]

Another consideration is do you have someone who can help with caring for the snake when it gets larger - some critters will need two handlers for safety sake - or if you're incapacitated for a while, is there someone willing and able to care for the snake while you recover? Talking a non-herper through caring for a rack of ball pythons or even a few BCI's for a few weeks is very different from asking someone with no herp experience to feed and clean up after a 15+ foot retic.

[ZacharyPoller]

Yes I do have a partner to help me with the snakes both the boas are around 5-6 foot still small both around 20 months I don't plan on getting it till I move to Georgia in another 8 months but just thinking every one had great points I can afford the food I do have the space and a partner to help with the care next step is to actually be around someone with a big snake

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[artgecko]

Maybe a superdwarf male retic? The superdwarf will still give you the look of a retic and the personality so you can see if you like that in the snake before going with a larger specimen. I am not quite sure on how large they get (depends on the percentage of superdwarf and the local) but I believe most get as long as a BCI, but are much faster and leaner.

I agree with the others though... See how things go with your boas as they age and grow and then judge if adding a larger snake is best for you.. I just got my first boa about a month ago (male BCA) and although I'm *dying* to get another locality BCI or jungle / cherry morph, I'm going to wait at least 1-2 years and see how I like handling my current boy when he's larger. It can be so hard to rehome a big snake, I want to make sure that I can handle the one I have before I go getting more.

[ballpythonboy]

i meant two boas sorry