adoption

[Salty]

I just got into keeping snakes because I was sick of looking at my empty tank and my wife okayed it, but last Sat. I got a BP, the other day I got a spotted python, and I'm thinking of getting a RTB. What do you think? I wouldn't even be too interested in it but the person that has her will give her to me. He says he just doesn't spend the tme he should w/ her anymore. She's like 6' I guess, and lots of pink.

I read the care sheet for them and it isn't much different than a BP. So I think I could manage, but are they dangerous? I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and I don't want anything that would be a burden/threat. I had to talk my wife into a BP but I can tell she's already warming up to the snakes we got, so what do I say about a RTB's temperment and so forth. The problem is, he's willing to give me a awesome snake and a full set up...for free. It's hard to turn down.

What's your recomendation?

[Smulkin]

Read some on IBD (inclusion body disease) first.

I dont want to sart anything nasty - I know LOTS of boa owners who have pythons without incident. I do think you ought to google it though before you diversify.

(EDIT - I REALLY REALLY would love to have an Argentine boa - but the wife and I just don't see eye to eye on it vs the rest of the collection. Of course things like this can be argued as being the equivalent of never letting your kids get their drivers licenses for fear they might get in a car wreck - and everyone here more than likely knows someone who's kept boas AND pythons for DECADES without incident. Mandatory group hug mmmkay)

[ladywhipple02]

Just please remember that these snakes get BIG compared to a BP. If it's a female, she's not done growing yet. It's possible she'll get up to 10 feet or so. If it's a male, they sometimes get up to 8 feet long. And they're powerful.

Their care may end up being more expensive and definately more time consuming. A full grown female RTB will take small rabbits, and leave behind poo as big as your BIG dog. They also need a lot of space when they get that big. If the set-up the guy's giving you going to be big enough when the snake reaches it's full size? Or will you have to go out and buy all new?

Just some things to consider. I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just trying to forwarn you. This snake is being passed on already, and it wouldn't do to have it happen again when you realize YOU can't take care of it. If you know you can do, go for it. I'm all for adoption.

[ladywhipple02]

Forgot to add... all that being said earlier, RTB's can be great snakes. Their feeding response is awesome (never have to worry about these guys not eating) and their temperaments are pretty good too. Just beware of their size and care requirements. If you can handle it, these guys make awesome pets.

[doobysnack]

i dont think your ready for a red tail boa i mean i am no expert but i own two and have a hog on its way but so far you sound like you dont know if there dangerous or not if a snake has teeth are they dangerous?any snake can be dangerous.they get twice the size of ball pythons.and there habitat is a little differnt.I think they have more demands then a ball python. and yes they are a little tempermental some times but they usually grow out of it with age and proper care.

[Salty]

^lol...well I know that all snakes are dangerous, I'm just asking if they are really aggressive. I don't want to be afraid to clean the tank because they are prone to bite and so forth. I don't want a snake that is known too kill people like burms(I'm not stereotyping or blowing those isolated incidents out of proportion, I'm just saying it's kind of scary) or a mean @@@ territorial snake that's gonna take over the spare bedroom like a Iguana until I gotta call Jack Hannah to remove it.

It's a female, so I know it can get 10 feet long and I'm okay w/ that. It's my wife who is naaive to snakes and such I have to convince. She is like most people who fear snakes, and views them all as the snake from the movie Anaconda(like I said I can tell she's really starting to like them )

This isn't going to be a right now or never thing. He isn't selling it, and he will keep it unless I say I want it. I just talked to my wife and asked her what she thought and she thought I was going to get it right away too. We are going to discuss it, and I just want to get everything out in the open right away.

Things I want to know:
Will it take 2 people to handle the snake at all times?
Will it feed on Rats it's whole life or am I going to have to upgrade to rabbits?
Will a 55 gal terrarium be adequate? How about a 75?

[Shelby]

RTBs are typically extremely docile snakes. Nicer than many BPs. However, there are exceptions.

No red tail could possibly eat a human.. lol I don't count them as a dangerous snake.

10' for a colombian red tail is quite unusual. 8' is more average.

I don't think you would need two people to handle it. If it is an aggressive snake, it may be a good idea, but we are not talking about a 20' snake here.

Jumbo rats will probably be fine, but you may need to feed more than one, vs one small rabbit.

55 gallon? no.. 75.. no. You need a nice 4' cage now, then 6' when she grows a bit more.

[ladywhipple02]

Definately check out the 6' Boaphiles or Animal Plasic cages for a big girl like that. An aquarium just isn't an appropriate cage for an animal like that.

Also, how old is she? Out of curiousity?

[Ginevive]

Hm.. with a large BCI, I would recommend two people handling it, at least until you get used-to the way the snake moves. I regularly handle a large female, owned by my friend. This is the most laid-back snake I have seen, but at times she can do unexpected things. She is known to wrap her tail tightly around the leg or arm of someone holding her; especially if they are nervous and moving around a lot! I think she does it, more out of fear of falling; tryin to get a good grip. But I brought it up because, sometimes it is necessary to have a friend or helper, remove that tail from your leg!
They are also apt to make sudden head motions upward. This could result in the snake hooking its head around something (like, say, a coat hanger.) This, you do not want; it is dangerous. You have to keep track of that head at all times!!
I would get used-to handling the boa, for awhile, since yer friend does not plan on selling it. Also, try to get to a pet store or other place where they have alrge boas, and will elt you handle one. It is a much different experience than handling a smaller BP!

[frankykeno]

All I can speak to is my limited experience with Becky's male red tail that we are currently fostering. He's about 5.5 feet long and actually is getting weighed tonight but I can say he's dang heavy and bull strong!

He's a great snake considering what he's been through but totally unlike the ball pythons in his basic nature. He does do that sudden head movement thing and we have to constantly watch he doesn't swing into something accidentally. He is "busier" and doesn't ever just lay around when we get him out. We have to monitor him closely when out as he has had to be extracted from a table he decided he liked as well as my husband's favorite chair which was a major deal.

Considering how we are basically newbies in the snake world in most ways, had this snake not needed a home so very desperately, we would definitely not felt ready yet for the full-time forever ownership of one. It's definitely a thought for the future as Mike's very taken with the Surinam's I think they are called but not the near future, at least not for us.

Having said all this, they are a fantastic snake at least this one is and we will miss Rauri when he goes off to his "mom" in Texas (he best send me a freakin X-mas card Becky!)


~~Jo~~