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Red tailed boas, are they good beginners when it comes to boas?

I would say yes and no.
They get some what BIG and FAT and they need alot of space. But, they are very docile and if you have enough money for the care a RTB needs, then go for it.
If you are going to get a boa, try something like a Hog Island, or Nicaraguan boa. The Nicaraguans can be very nippy but I know that some people get theirs to calm down.
 
Boas are fabulous snakes... infact they are the epitomy of a snake to me. Perfectly proportioned, stunning variety of colours and patterns. The only downside is size... thus why I am a locality boa fan! I have a Bolivian and Corn Isles - although I kept BCI's (common boas) in the past. Expect a BCI to reach at least a chunky 6ft, perhaps 8-9ft if you get a female. Most locality boas never surpass 6ft although they are pricey and hard to get a hold on pure specimens depending on the type of locale you are after.

They are just such a joy to own... they require absolute minimal care and attention. They are generally docile and are fantastic feeders. Oh and they make fantastic photography subjects. I could big up boas all day long!
 
Taxidermy said:
Just a question
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I am going to be the naysayer here for one thing. Many cities and localities are banning them or you need a permit to own one. If you are actually serious on owning one, check your city's laws on exotics. I would also speak to animal control as well. To many people forget to check these before getting a new large snake.
 
tricksterpup said:
I am going to be the naysayer here for one thing. Many cities and localities are banning them or you need a permit to own one. If you are actually serious on owning one, check your city's laws on exotics. I would also speak to animal control as well. To many people forget to check these before getting a new large snake.
Click to expand...

Not here. Although FL did push through their permit and microchip law for '08 for Retics and Burms, Boa's (surprisingly) did not make the list the last I saw.
 
Oh, I know about size and everything.

And have been reading up on a lot of pages about the temperatures.

The majority of pages claimed that the temperature should be 82 degrees to 90 during the day with a 90-95 degree basking spot.

What I couldnt find is what the humidity level should be.

Though, I just picked up a baby exactly an hour ago, and put him in his new viv to adapt :)

Im truly excited and 100 percent sure about this since i have been thinking about it for the past year or so... year and a half actually.

I named him Lucifer :) haha
 
Taxidermy said:
Oh, I know about size and everything.

And have been reading up on a lot of pages about the temperatures.

The majority of pages claimed that the temperature should be 82 degrees to 90 during the day with a 90-95 degree basking spot.

What I couldnt find is what the humidity level should be.

Though, I just picked up a baby exactly an hour ago, and put him in his new viv to adapt :)

Im truly excited and 100 percent sure about this since i have been thinking about it for the past year or so... year and a half actually.

I named him Lucifer :) haha
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Actually you should have checked with your local herp society, you may have gotten one of these guys a lot cheaper than at a pet store. Many of them get adults that have been given up by the original owners. I have gotten my 3 this way and turned away a half dozen more. In my opinion its better to get an adult than buy a baby from a petstore in the long run. Most of those adults that do not find homes tend to be put down.
 
tricksterpup said:
I am going to be the naysayer here for one thing. Many cities and localities are banning them or you need a permit to own one. If you are actually serious on owning one, check your city's laws on exotics. I would also speak to animal control as well. To many people forget to check these before getting a new large snake.
Click to expand...

Yup. That's the deal where I live. Any constricting snake over 6ft is considered a deadly animal, and you have to have a permit to own them. The application process is either a PITA or really easy, depending on who you talk to. :shrugs:

Personally, I'd say a locality boa (IE Hogg Island) would be a better idea than a red-tail for most people. Size matters and all.
 
Nice

Yeah I am looking in to getting an RTB as well I think the guyana and venezuelan red tails are the most beautiful I've seen. And they don't grow as pale as the other species of boa's
 
I find it a bit bizzare how you make this thread asking if they make nice pets (like you don't know much about them) then 24 hours later you go off and buy one!? A little irresponsible... boas are a lifetime commitment.

Temps - 90-95 hot side, 75-80 ambient. If your temps drop below 75 you are in dangerous RI territory. Humidity 60%. I never bother spraying unless my boas are in shed.
 
Sort of used this site as a last resort before making the purchase; i did pick up two books on the care

Just as i asked everyone on here,

I even asked the guy who sold me the snake if they were good pets; i know they are a life commitment, and im sure about this,

I just have OCD when it comes to others opinions.

I have the temperatures set right, he fed yesterday so i havent bothered with him; ill give him two weeks to adapt before handling
 
boa2.jpg


and

Myboa.jpg


:)
 
Yea Elle hit the nail on the head.....boas are a life time commitment.....
Easy to keep but live a long time..... and get big enough to get noticed....
Saying that two school friends of mine got married as soon as we left school..... and they're still going strong... so who knows... best of luck...
MIKE
 
snakewispera snr said:
Yea Elle hit the nail on the head.....boas are a life time commitment.....
Easy to keep but live a long time..... and get big enough to get noticed....
Saying that two school friends of mine got married as soon as we left school..... and they're still going strong... so who knows... best of luck...
MIKE
Click to expand...

Yep, and from one of my previous post above, to many people get these animals thinking they are cool and wind up getting tossed out due to size and cost of feeding.
On average we see around 2-4 boas come into our herp society every month due to an owner no longer wanting them or being confiscated by the local law enforcement and handed to the Herp society.
RTBs are the most common animal we see that come in for adoptions for our herp society next are Red Ear Sliders and Iguanas.

This why I typically try to shy people away from RTBs and Iguanas. If people want them there are plenty adults out there for adoption that are far cheaper than pet store cost.

In our area, if you are a member and can have one legally in your city, the cost typically is $5 for adoption fee.
 
Nice looking boa! I love how silvery she is. Well, it's not like it's anywhere near your first snake, and you've been thinking about it for a year- I bet you'll do well with him!
 
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