Quote Originally Posted by Snagrio View Post
Probably TOO much thought lol. But I'm not going to for some time for several reasons (finances, making sure I can care for the one I already have, not overload myself, ect.).

But what I've looked are species that would make a good "garbage disposal companion" whenever Zebes inevitably has a series of refusals as BPs tend to do. A corn snake would be ideal but it'd have to an adult unless I got one far sooner than I plan to so it'd grow up with him to a degree.

Have also looked at others like rat snakes, gophers, beauties, kings and smaller but sizable boas like Dumeril's (BCIs and the like are just a tad too big for my experience level). I only ever plan to have around 3 snakes at the most so the choice would be important.

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Good that you are learning/acknowledging your limits and setting a goal of 3 snakes. Also good that you are considering some cool species, but pacing yourself.

If you want a garbage disposal for a BP that might miss a meal here and there, I would not go with a corn snake. Corn snakes really should only eat mice (my two corns - female who's about 360G and a male I admit I fed too frequently for a while and is about 595G) and adult mice at the most, not even retired breeders/XL mice (too fatty). Both of my corns eat an adult mouse (F/T) every 2 weeks and maintain weight (Figment, male), and are growing slowly still (Solana, the female). Don't get me wrong, Corns are awesome snakes and great pets. I just don't think it's a good idea to throw them a small rat that your BP won't take.

Dumerils are cool boas, but don't get too much smaller than certainly a male BI likely would. I am not telling you to go against your instinct. If you think a BI is too much boa, that's fine, but a lot has to do with how often and what they are fed. I thought that too and 27 years into reptile keeping, I got my first boa. I now have 3 and I adore them. One is a dwarf BC and the other two are BI's (one male and one female).

They also grow (if fed properly) really slowly. My female BI, Behira, is 4 1/2 years old and about 5 1/2 feet and 5 pounds or so. She has great body definition and is still growing well on medium rats every 2-3 weeks. However, she's definitely giving me time to adjust to her growth and by the time she's 7+ feet, I will be very used to her and her size. Males tend to be thinner bodied if not shorter as well. If a well fed, but not obese female is about 14-20 pounds +/-, a male might be 7-12 pounds +/-.

That brings me to my second point; there are plenty of dwarf boa species that can be really cool pets AND be your BP's garbage disposal that will not get bigger, or even as big, as Behira, my female BI who is about 1/2 to 1/3 size now.

Anyway, I just wanted to throw those ideas out there. 1. Corns are great, but shouldn't eat more than adult mice. 2. BI's and Dwarf BI's and BC's can be awesome pets and take time to get to size, so you can grow with them.

Finally, on the boa issue, if you think they are too big, again, stay away. It's up to you. I just know my mind changed when I got my first and handled some big female BI's and a male Suriname who was full grown. If treated right, 97% of boas are docile as can be when out. They do have a HUGE food response though, so be aware.