Wanting Information

[PhoenixGate]

I know this has probably been asked before, but I'm looking for some good care guides on boas. I'm moving in a few weeks and after I settle I want to get a boa (probably just a regular boa I can pick up from Petco or other general pet store). I can't remember the specific name of the species they usually have.

My experience has been largely with corn snakes and ball pythons, but I've warmed up to having a larger snake over the years. I know it's a whole new level of snake ownership, and I feel like I can handle it. I'm not even worried about the caging requirements because my brother has done a lot of construction projects and he'll be building the snake and rat racks I want (I want to have and breed corns and balls, at the very least).

I've tried wading through the sea of information that is the internet and I'm finding it a little overwhelming. I'm looking for a species of boa that will get over 6 feet. I like red tails but I'd rather have a different species of boa. I'd like to nail down a specific species and learn all the care requirements before I pick up an animal. I'm about six weeks away from doing that, so I want to start on the research now.

[Megg]

Red tail is used to describe all BCC and BCI boas. The "true" red tails are BCC but its a term used for most boas. Colombians get over 6' and are what you usually see in the shops. The ultimate boa constrictor care guide on red tail boa.com is pretty good. I PM'ed you a link.

[bcr229]

You can start by reading Parts I and II of the Ultimate Care Guides at http://www.redtailboas.com/content/

[Gio]

You can start by reading Parts I and II of the Ultimate Care Guides at http://www.redtailboas.com/content/

OH NO!!

A super moderator posting a link to another board?? LOL!

Just kidding, I think it is a sensational suggestion and one of the better guides out there.

OP,

In addition to the good advice you've already received I would add this.

Don't go to Petco just to get any old boa. If you are truly passionate and interested in breeding boas, get something that is actually going to add to the betterment of the species. Whether that be interesting color morphs, or my personal favorite, locality boas, make your reason for breeding boas about the animals and their quality. Good breeders sell quality snakes and earn their excellent reputations by improving the species.

Petco will overcharge you for a plain, lackluster boa with no background info. It could be a Colombian BCI with several other BCI type crosses, or something else. You'll never know.

For not that much more money, you could look at the long list of very reputable breeders on the web and get something really fantastic!

I'd also suggest enjoying your first boa a bit before you consider breeding. Don't become a farmer and slide an impressive animal into a rack before you get a chance to experience what a boa constrictor is all about.

They are active, semi arboreal, and beautiful to look at.

This is my male, Barranquilla, Colombian BCI, though he probably specs out as BCC in several areas. He is a 6 footer and still growing a bit.

Here is something you'll never see in a rack.





This boa was from a Gus Rentfro (Rio Bravo Reptiles) breeding and purchased from Legacy Reptiles in FL. You may want to visit Legacy Reptiles Facebook page to see what they have.



Including the price of shipping, this was not much more than what you'd find at Petco or Petsmart.

As suggested, buy, read and study the book THE COMPLETE BOA CONSTRICTOR

Now, if I've misunderstood you and you are looking at "boas" all types and not boa constrictors, you have other options.

Don't rush! As a matter of fact, get all of the caging and accessories in order before you ever purchase your snake.

Juvenile snakes will require something small and I recommend using the same setup as the breeder was using prior to the purchase. Once the 1 year mark hits you can almost set up a lifetime cage.

Good luck!

[PhoenixGate]

Thank you everybody for the great posts! Now I have some reading material to work with.

Gio, I'm not necessarily interested in breeding boas, and I'm certainly not going to do anything right off the bat. I'm moving to Oregon for a year with my brother, building up money again and then we're moving to California to be closer to family. I'll be starting school then too. All my breeding plans are a few years off. I've wanted to breed ball pythons ever since I rescued one a few years back (even though that had a tragic ending), so when I do get into breeding that will be my first focus.

The boa I want to get in a couple months will be strictly a pet and never used for breeding. I just want a pet that I can enjoy taking care of and handling. I haven't been able to have snakes for two and a half years now, due to multiple moves (one of which was into a homeless shelter for 3 months) and I've had a hard enough time just keeping my cats. I've owned reptiles (my first was a pair of tokay geckos) and snakes since I was 16 and miss having them around. The only reason I'm considering getting a snake now is because this move will be a stable one into an apartment or small house and I'm moving to a full time job with the same company I'm working with now.

Rest assured, I never bring home an animal before I have all the caging requirements in hand and stable. When I bought my first snake at 17 I planned it carefully; I'd wanted a corn snake since going to a reptile show at the previous year. I had an appropriate sized cage, heating and cage clamps since I knew I'd be getting a baby corn and they're known escape artists. I had a good book, Corn Snakes, the Comprehensive Care Guide by Kathy Love and Bill love, and I'd joined a good forum at the time as well.

I'll be exploring local pet stores while I'm down there but I'll take a look at what's available online as well. If it's not too expensive I can get a morph and if I feel like breeding him or her five or ten years down the line it won't be just a plain old boa.

Also, beautiful boas Gio. You've got good looking setups as well.

[bcr229]

OH NO!!

A super moderator posting a link to another board?? LOL!

Just kidding, I think it is a sensational suggestion and one of the better guides out there.

- Why wouldn't I post a link to another forum if the information is useful to the OP?

- I participate in many other forums besides this one.


- I ***gasp*** even moderate several other forums besides this one.

[Gio]

Thank you everybody for the great posts! Now I have some reading material to work with.

Gio, I'm not necessarily interested in breeding boas, and I'm certainly not going to do anything right off the bat. I'm moving to Oregon for a year with my brother, building up money again and then we're moving to California to be closer to family. I'll be starting school then too. All my breeding plans are a few years off. I've wanted to breed ball pythons ever since I rescued one a few years back (even though that had a tragic ending), so when I do get into breeding that will be my first focus.

The boa I want to get in a couple months will be strictly a pet and never used for breeding. I just want a pet that I can enjoy taking care of and handling. I haven't been able to have snakes for two and a half years now, due to multiple moves (one of which was into a homeless shelter for 3 months) and I've had a hard enough time just keeping my cats. I've owned reptiles (my first was a pair of tokay geckos) and snakes since I was 16 and miss having them around. The only reason I'm considering getting a snake now is because this move will be a stable one into an apartment or small house and I'm moving to a full time job with the same company I'm working with now.

Rest assured, I never bring home an animal before I have all the caging requirements in hand and stable. When I bought my first snake at 17 I planned it carefully; I'd wanted a corn snake since going to a reptile show at the previous year. I had an appropriate sized cage, heating and cage clamps since I knew I'd be getting a baby corn and they're known escape artists. I had a good book, Corn Snakes, the Comprehensive Care Guide by Kathy Love and Bill love, and I'd joined a good forum at the time as well.

I'll be exploring local pet stores while I'm down there but I'll take a look at what's available online as well. If it's not too expensive I can get a morph and if I feel like breeding him or her five or ten years down the line it won't be just a plain old boa.

Also, beautiful boas Gio. You've got good looking setups as well.

Hey that's great!

I think the book will be a good start for you.

As far as a docile, stable and substantial pet goes, boa constrictors are great!

I had my boy out today and he is a rock at 6 feet. They move, but not constantly like a retic. Most will wrap you and just kind of cruise.

I don't see size being an issue for you. A true 8 foot BC is huge when girth is thrown in the mix and few specimens go much over that length although 9-10 feet is certainly possible it is not the rule.

If you want to make me insanely jealous, find a nice female, Suriname BCC.

Suris are arguably one of the most beautiful of all the boas!

Best of luck getting settled and comfortable as your life moves forward.

[distaff]

The Complete Boa Constrictor, Vincent Russo. This should have all the info you want. Amazon sells it, or you can get it off his site, signed.

$60. Worth the price.

[Gio]

"- Why wouldn't I post a link to another forum if the information is useful to the OP?

- I participate in many other forums besides this one."








Did you miss this part mate?

LOL!

Just kidding, I think it is a sensational suggestion and one of the better guides out there.

OP,

In addition to the good advice you've already received

That was my point, a lot of folks on various forums get up in arms about linking another forum you obviously don't. I even thanked you for the post. Its possible you missed the humor/sarcasm or compliment in my post, but the rest of my post was spot on.

I know some of the other forums you are a member of, as I'm there as well.

Tip of the hat that you can moderate more than one. I can barley keep up with simply posting on more than one forum LOL!

[PhoenixGate]

It looks like the care is pretty basic for boa species, or at least in line with what I already know about reptiles. I'm even moving to an area with a high ambient humidity, so with a custom cage I should be fine. I tried looking around online, legacy reptiles doesn't have any available animals right now. What are the websites some good, trusted breeders I could possibly go to?