Honey - Kahl Sunglow Jungle

[ckuhn003]

I thought I was done with two snakes (8yo Super Ghost and 4yo IMG Motley) but shopping for supplies at the Expo last week brought home an unexpected addition. It’s my 1st female and she’s so inquisitive and sweet with all of us. She ate two days after arrival and is settling in nicely.

My question is on size because what the breeder is telling me goes against everything I’ve read (including Russo’s book). He said she’ll max out around 6 feet and a 4x2 will be perfect for her. He said she’ll never get big enough for a 6 foot enclosure. Both my males are currently in 4x2s.

Curious on everyone’s opinions before I order a new enclosure. I really don’t want a 6 foot enclosure but……..




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[Bogertophis]

She's beautiful, & I'd keep an open mind about her final size. It depends on genetics & diet, sure, but you know how human generations tend to outgrow previous ones due to better conditions? Just saying... In my experience, some breeders tell buyers what they want to hear, & others, what they think & hope- is true, but a real guarantee of ultimate size is just hard to promise.

[bcr229]

I would plan for her to get up to 8 feet. I have had females top out at 6 feet but they had a lot of CA blood.

[Homebody]

My question is on size because what the breeder is telling me goes against everything I’ve read (including Russo’s book). He said she’ll max out around 6 feet and a 4x2 will be perfect for her. He said she’ll never get big enough for a 6 foot enclosure. Both my males are currently in 4x2s.

Curious on everyone’s opinions before I order a new enclosure. I really don’t want a 6 foot enclosure but……..

What's she in now? Can you keep here there until you get a better sense of how she's growing and what size she'll ultimately be?

[ckuhn003]

I would plan for her to get up to 8 feet. I have had females top out at 6 feet but they had a lot of CA blood.

Just spoke with the breeder and 95% of his collection is CA so that's why he's sticking by this animal will max out around 6 feet.

[ckuhn003]

What's she in now? Can you keep here there until you get a better sense of how she's growing and what size she'll ultimately be?

She's in a quarantine tub which is temporary (hopefully less than 6 months) or at least until the AP enclosure is ordered and delivered.

[dakski]

A 6ft female is more snake than a 6ft male in most cases. Behira is 6.5 feet at almost 10 years old. She's about 10-11 pounds. I could have fed her bigger meals and more often and she might be bigger, but to her detriment. Still, she is on the smaller size for a female BI (although she has spurted a little in the past year eating small/1 pound rabbits).

Feed her responsibly, and with CA blood, maybe 6-7 feet, or less, is an okay estimate. I would get a 6X2' if you can so you get one tank and even if she gets bigger, you are good. If not, a 4X2' would be okay. Figure length + width = length of snake. Height is a factor too. Behira is in a 6X2X1' tank. In contrast, Yafe, my carpet python, is about 7 feet and 6+ pounds. He is in a 4X2X1.5'. He has PVC pipe going across the tank and climbs a lot. The floor space is okay for him, but the tank works because of the height and "branches." I also take all my snakes out regularly and they get to stretch out and move around. That's important as well, especially if in a smaller tank.

Jeff, my male BI, was fed similarly to Behira, is 7, and from the same breeder, and he is about 1.5kg and 5+ feet.

As mentioned, male vs. female, food, genetics, etc. all play a role.

The final thing I'll mention is that I have all my boas in 6X2' tanks with 2 doors. One door for the left side and one for the right side. They are aggressive feeders - as you I am sure you know. I like the option of picking a side and having a smaller door. If my 10+ pound boa is on the left side, I can open the right side, etc. Safer for feeding. They hit hard and fast. Even if a 4X2', consider 2 door options.

She's a beauty and I look forward to seeing her grow.