thanks a lot frankyveno!

[frankykeno]

Well thanks a lot frankyveno!

After seeing your pics of your boa, and a few days reading, and thinking... I have decided to keep my eye out for one at Daytona show on Saturday..... I would certaily be nice to have 1 BIG snake in my collection... and that looks the the perfect allowed MAXIMUM sized one for my home....

Whoohooo got another one over to the boa side!

I have done lots of reading, but am having trouble finding specific answers to my questions, so anyone who can help, please do!!!

1. Of the different species of red tails... or whatever they are actually called... what is the less expensive, most "normal" version that I can likely pick up cheap at the show?

Colombian aka common boa aka common redtail, I've heard then called a lot, Mike but basically just read that excellent care sheet from NERD and you'll know all you need to about the type of boas I keep. As far as price it's the old adage of you pay for what you get. Pick the nicest Colombian you like within your price range from the most reputable dealer there. Some Colombians like our Severus are very "clean". In other words they have little flecking and a very sharp pattern to their dorsal saddles. Tequila is plainer looker and not as sharp in her pattern as Severus is.

2. I know it is hard to say, but what approx would the going price be for the answer to number 1?

I have absolutely no idea Mike what show prices are for Colombians. I know what I see them going for in our local pet stores ($170) and it's bloody ridiculous considering the poor care they generally get there. Maybe take a moment and google some boa breeders to get an idea what the going price is for a male or female young Colombian.

3. How big will the answer to number one get for both male and female? length and weight. what are the appropriate tank sizes for the various stages of growth?

Male Colombians are considerably smaller than the females so if a certain mature size is your goal then plan accordingly in your purchase. Again the NERD site gives you basically all the info there as to male/female mature sizes. I can tell you that our male, Severus, at 3 years of age is a whole lot smaller than the female, Tequila, at 16 years of age.

As far as housing basically it's not much different than bringing home a baby ball python. Boas generally like a bit more space granted but a baby snake is a baby snake and we offered Sev (and the boarder Morgaine) smaller tubs to start with, hides, etc. Boas are strong snakes even as babies so a lot of care has to be given to make sure they can't shift a lid because they will try - A LOT. Boas seem to have a thing about nose rubbing (you can see some old nose rub scars on T's face) so make sure there is nothing in their enclosure they can do that on. They quickly figure out exactly where their enclosure opens and will rub there so check that carefully. Boas are smart, smart snakes.

Other differences from bp's - they tend to not be picky eaters or very picky at all about what feeding method you use. Our experience is that the boas rarely refuse and if they do, they generally have a fairly obvious reason for it (shedding, etc.) We keep our boas slightly cooler than the ball pythons. They have a hard, fast and very long strike range so mind that when you feed even a baby one - they do not play around at dinnertime. Handling doesn't stress them as much as a bp but of course you want your new boa to settle in well and all that stuff which you already know.

Quarantine, when mixing boas and pythons is an absolute must. Goes without saying but heck I'll say it anyways LOL.

I'd suggest you get a really young one that's been well started. That way you can raise it up nicely and you should get a lovely, friendly big boa whose never had a reason to fear you.

Oh and they like watching sports....particularily Red Wings hockey!