Rosy Boa's?

[Susielea]

Oh boy, I think I'm in love!

I went to my local rep shop today and saw a beautiful Baja Rosy Boa, it looked to be a nearly, if not already, full grown adult, around the 3ft mark? In great condition from what I could tell and I got to hold it

I've been thinking of owning something a little different for a while now, I've been looking into Hoggies and Sand Boas, but this little darling has captured my heart

So I'm wondering if any other members have any experience with Rosy Boas? I know Dean (Roy Munson) has at least one

If anyone can point me in the right direction of some good info on Rosy Boas, captive care etc and what I should be looking for if I decide to purchase one, I would be really grateful. Or if you have any experience owning them, a little info to get me started would be good

Thank you in advance to anyone that can help

 

[patm1313]

I think it stands the same with all snakes (and probably all pets): Buy a few books. I wouldn't know anything if it wasn't for Kathy Love and Don Soderburg, and eventually CS.com

 

[patm1313]

I think it stands the same with all snakes (and probably all pets): Buy a few books. I wouldn't know anything if it wasn't for Kathy Love and Don Soderburg, and eventually CS.com

And yes, I mean before getting the snake, even if you are unsure if you are going to get it. I got on of my books before I got my corn.

 

[Nomed]

And yes, I mean before getting the snake, even if you are unsure if you are going to get it. I got on of my books before I got my corn.

Um, Why do you think she is posting here asking for info?
Clearly she is planning on learning about rosy boas before she brings one home.


Anyway
Susie,
I don't know much about rosies except that that are beautiful little snakes, and I hear they have a nice bite. LOL
This care sheet here seems okay.

Again I don't know much about them, so someone who does or someone who has experience with them should be able to point you in a better direction.

 

[Susielea]

I think it stands the same with all snakes (and probably all pets): Buy a few books. I wouldn't know anything if it wasn't for Kathy Love and Don Soderburg, and eventually CS.com

If I could find somewhere with a book on them, don't you think I'd have it on order by now?

Even if I do manage to get a half decent book, personal experience can sometimes be a whole lot better

Anyway Susie,
I don't know much about rosies except that that are beautiful little snakes, and I hear they have a nice bite. LOL
This care sheet here seems okay.

Again I don't know much about them, so someone who does or someone who has experience with them should be able to point you in a better direction.

Thank you! I've got 6 or 7 sites saved in my favourites, but I hadn't come across that one yet, so that is now added :cheers:

I find that you can read lots about an animal, but someone with personal experience, can sometimes point out pitfalls or good points that you wouldn't normally find just by reading

Thanks again

 

[tricksterpup]

Susie,
I own 2 myself and I believe Dean does have 3 in his collection. They can be nippy at times, but yeah when you first hold them, its love at first feel. I love my squishies.
Like I stated mine can be nippy and prone to bite more often than a corn. But then again, these are not large snakes. I keep them similar to my corns but they do require less humidity than corns. I give them a hide and water bowl, feed them once a week and that is that.
Here is a great care sheet from VMS herps, where I got my pair.
http://www.vmsherp.com/CarePages/CareRosyBoa.htm

 

[tricksterpup]

If I could find somewhere with a book on them, don't you think I'd have it on order by now?

Even if I do manage to get a half decent book, personal experience can sometimes be a whole lot better

Here you go a great book.

 

[Roy Munson]

Hey Sue.

I have 3 rosys. I have a pair of '03 Borrego locality Coastal rosys, and an '87 or older Mexican mainland (yes, that's right-- he's over 20 years old!). I love them, and they're very easy to care for. They're fairly docile, but they can be a little nippy when they're hungry. If you have any specific questions, I'll do my best to answer them, but these two sites have excellent care guides:

http://www.rosyboas.com/index.php?c=captive

http://www.rosyboa.com/care.htm

If the snake's healthy, you should pick him up! They're cool snakes.
-Deano

 

[tricksterpup]

yeah those are great sites as well.
My Rosies are Hetmets. Here is a picture of my male.

a snake to definitely pick up.

 

[Tula_Montage]

Here you go a great book.

I have this book! Susie if you want it cheap send me a PM!

 

[Roy Munson]

Well if Jim's going to show off his...

1. '87 "old man" Mexican (Marcus).
2. '03 Borrego (Ron)
3. '03 Borrego (Veronica)
4. '07 Borrego newborn I produced last year. This pic was taken the night she was born.

I also wanted to add that I've never owned sand boas or other ground boas, but I've heard that they're secretive and not very active. My rosys are VERY active, and they're out all the time.

 

[Susielea]

Susie,
I own 2 myself and I believe Dean does have 3 in his collection. They can be nippy at times, but yeah when you first hold them, its love at first feel. I love my squishies.
Like I stated mine can be nippy and prone to bite more often than a corn. But then again, these are not large snakes. I keep them similar to my corns but they do require less humidity than corns. I give them a hide and water bowl, feed them once a week and that is that.
Here is a great care sheet from VMS herps, where I got my pair.
http://www.vmsherp.com/CarePages/CareRosyBoa.htm

Thank you! Squishy is exactly what I thought :laugh01: I held "her" my rep guy is uncertain but thinks female, no visible spurs? for a good half hour and she/he had the sweetest temperament Any other clues on how to sex, anyone? He says they can be quite difficult, but that may be not enough experience?

She/he had very similar colouring to the pics you posted, with a more uniform stripe and little peach/rust colour on the head, with rusty coloured eyes

And thanks for the link and the book recommendation!

Hey Sue.

I have 3 rosys. I have a pair of '03 Borrego locality Coastal rosys, and an '87 or older Mexican mainland (yes, that's right-- he's over 20 years old!). I love them, and they're very easy to care for. They're fairly docile, but they can be a little nippy when they're hungry. If you have any specific questions, I'll do my best to answer them, but these two sites have excellent care guides:

http://www.rosyboas.com/index.php?c=captive

http://www.rosyboa.com/care.htm

If the snake's healthy, you should pick him up! They're cool snakes.
-Deano

Thank you! I remember seeing Marcus? a while ago and thought he was really cool, and I rememer the comment I made "I was 23 going on 24, married with 2 kids when you got him" You said it made you feel better, I think some people were making you feel old :uhoh:

I already had the second link but I've now saved the first one as well, so thank you again!

I have this book! Susie if you want it cheap send me a PM!

PM inbound! thank you!

 

[Susielea]

Well if Jim's going to show off his...

1. '87 "old man" Mexican (Marcus).
2. '03 Borrego (Ron)
3. '03 Borrego (Veronica)
4. '07 Borrego newborn I produced last year. This pic was taken the night she was born.

I also wanted to add that I've never owned sand boas or other ground boas, but I've heard that they're secretive and not very active. My rosys are VERY active, and they're out all the time.

Now I just want to go break in the shop and get him/her out :rofl:

You guys are making me sooooo jealous!

Is there a way to guess age with these guys, as that was one thing my rep guy said, he couldn't say if this was an OAP (old age pensioner) or not although he said it was in great shape. To be honest if I'm going to get one I don't want it to be on it's last legs But it did look really good to me :shrugs: what do I know?

Should I go for an adult that's got a sweet temperament or wait till later in the year and get a juvenile or two?

 

[Allison]

Awesome, check out these rosy's! If I was going to get a Boa I would certainly go with a rosy.. so cool. Let us know what you end up with, I would get him if he "calls" to you.

 

[Roy Munson]

Is there a way to guess age with these guys, as that was one thing my rep guy said, he couldn't say if this was an OAP (old age pensioner) or not although he said it was in great shape. To be honest if I'm going to get one I don't want it to be on it's last legs But it did look really good to me :shrugs: what do I know?

You can cut the snake in half and count the rings. :grin01: But seriously, I don't think there's any way to really tell the age. That old man Mexican has looked the same forever. :shrugs:

Should I go for an adult that's got a sweet temperament or wait till later in the year and get a juvenile or two?

Do both!

 

[Susielea]

You can cut the snake in half and count the rings. :grin01: But seriously, I don't think there's any way to really tell the age. That old man Mexican has looked the same forever. :shrugs:

Ha ha, I don't think I'll be cutting it in half, too squishy :laugh01:

Do both!

Now that sound like a plan!

Is there a good way to sex Rosy Boas, or is it just down to having spurs or not?

I know Marcus is 20+ years, but what's the normal captive age range?
I suppose it wouldn't matter if the one I've seen is 5 or so years, if all the localities are as long lived as Marcus?

I know my rep guy can be a bit pricey, I get great deals on food though, and I've not seen these for sale over here at all, until I started searching today and found a couple (yes just two) classifieds from last year, at a slightly lower price. But I'm thinking if she/he is well established and looks to be a good feeder, she/he is also in pristine condition, just going on the research I've been doing today, it might be worth the little extra?

Looks like I might be calling the shop first thing, he said he's hold her/him for a couple of days, so that I could decide.....lol

 

[Susielea]

Ooh, I just found another site that looks fairly good too!

http://www.localityrosys.com/husbandry_propogation.php

What do you think?

Now do I need UV light?

Will a heat mat be my best bet?

Or I've got an empty 3ft x 18 inch tank set up with a ceramic on a thermostat?

Seeing as they don't need humidity and my tank is wooden/melamine, with a full length 3 inch vent strip across the back, would the ceramic be better?

Aspen for substrate?

Multiple hides?

Anything really important I've missed out?

Thank you for all the help, I really appreciate it

 

[Tula_Montage]

UV not necessary, 87-90F, aspen is perfect and hides are always good

 

[cassandra]

Ooh I'm jealous...I've always like rosies...=D

 

[starsevol]

Wow, I just saw this.
I have kept rosys since 1995, and they were my favorite species for a long time. Corns are my favorites now but I will always have a soft spot for the squishies.
They don't like humidity AT ALL, so you might want to give them a small water dish instead of a big one. They seem a little more delicate than corn snakes, over the past decade I have had several that looked fantastic, ate, and suddenly died for no apparent reason. But it IS rare, so don't let that scare you! I currently have 7.
I have posted these pics before, but here are a couple of mine. The first 2 are Annie, she's a San Gabriel coastal rosy. The other 2 are Fred, he's a San Felipe rosy boa.