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austin_89
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1248 Posts |
 Posted - 08/02/2012 : 15:58:14
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Hi  another question, not about royals.
I've seen on here that a few people own boas so i thought id ask a couple of questions about them.
So here we go, are they aggressive or snappy? On average how big do they grow? Do they need a higher level of care than a royal? And is there a beginner boa, or are they pretty much the same?
I've always been interested in owning one but wouldn't dream of going into it with my eyes closed. Kane, my royal is only my second snake so would you advise against owning a boa while inexperienced? |
1.1.0 Normal Royal Pythons... Kane (CF11) + Frankie (CB11)
1.0.0 Spider Royal Python (CB13)
1.0.0 100% het kahl albino boa Dexter (CB13)
1.0.0 Butter Corn...
0.1.0 Snow Corn... Alice
0.1.0 Red Harlequin Crested Gecko... Charlie
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko... Cleo
1.1.0 African Green Mantis
1.0.0 Staffy... Alfie
1.1.0 Cats... Ebony and DK
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 16:06:46
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I can't comment for the dwarf boa species that's Law's territory but I have a big female BCI and she's lovely, I've also looked after a load of baby BCI's and they can have a tendancy to be hissy but even as babies they seem very mellow and happy.
The BCI female can get upto 9ft-ish, mine is 8ft now. Males are considerably smaller as adults but most of the difference is width where the females get very fat, the males are skinnier and shorter.
I bought my boa fully grown at 7ft after owning royals for about 7 months so I was inexperienced when I got her, she's a challenge but nothing I can't handle and it's been great fun taking care of her :) |
\v/ Click me for Kelfezond Reptiles Facebook Page! \v/
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JanieW
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2279 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 16:52:01
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Hi Austin,
I can't say enough about Boas lol I have a Mexican Common aka Sonoran and he is absolutely gorgeous. Fantastic temperament..never bitten, hissed just one during shed.
I had only had my 1st snake "Slinky2 2 weeks when I got Fea my boa, and its the best thing pressie ever.
I love him to bits..petshop said he'll grow to about 5' so not huge.
If anything easier than a Royal..they hardly ever refuse a feed :)
I just snapped this pic on my phone lol this is what he does every day |
Peoples Of Middle Earth:
Bert (Staffy) , named after Tolkien's stone Troll
Popeye, African Grey
Gimli (Son Of Gloin), Baby Beardie
Slinky, Baby Royal Python
Fëanor..Baby Mexican Common Boa
Casper 2011 Male Ghost Corn Snake **RIP**
Hoard of Orcs (Dubia Roach Colony)
Pearl & Ivory--African Giant Albino Land Snails
Ra, Taiwanese Beauty Snake
Henry, Western Hognose *Missing*
Pippin, Coastal X Diamond Carpet Python
Elanor, Pastel Royal
Timmy, Western Hognose
Flake, Calico male royal, Eowyn, Arabesque Boa |
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austin_89
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1248 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 17:25:33
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I saw one of your videos on you tube Kelf about the babies, they were gorgeous and Pandora :)
Hi Janie :) he's lovely, i'd heard that boas are quite aggressive compared to the royals, if you don't mind me asking how much was he? Just trying to get a rough price range.
So if i did enough research on em i would be ok getting one? |
1.1.0 Normal Royal Pythons... Kane (CF11) + Frankie (CB11)
1.0.0 Spider Royal Python (CB13)
1.0.0 100% het kahl albino boa Dexter (CB13)
1.0.0 Butter Corn...
0.1.0 Snow Corn... Alice
0.1.0 Red Harlequin Crested Gecko... Charlie
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko... Cleo
1.1.0 African Green Mantis
1.0.0 Staffy... Alfie
1.1.0 Cats... Ebony and DK
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 17:33:27
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Boas are truly gorgeous - but if you get one, it's a good idea to keep a royal or any python well away from the boa ie in a different room, and observe quarantine (use antibac gel with regard to handling/no sharing feeding tongs/cleaning out tackle etc.) for at least 3 months. This also goes for any python you buy who has been kept in the same area as boas. Better to be safe than sorry.
This is because boas can carry a disease called IBD (inclusion body disease) which may not trouble a boa too much, but which has fast, distressing and fatal effects on a python, sadly.
If you've got the space and can put up with the faff of quarantine, I'd say go for it - boas are beautiful!
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JanieW
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2279 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 17:42:26
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Austin, I say yes, I have no doubts whatsoever :)
He is nosey :) That can be unnerving at first cos when you pick a Royal up they tend to ball up..Fea doesn't lol he comes close with his tongue flicking while you gather up his body.
He was about £80, but the store where I got him was on the expensive side as I paid the same for Slinky |
Peoples Of Middle Earth:
Bert (Staffy) , named after Tolkien's stone Troll
Popeye, African Grey
Gimli (Son Of Gloin), Baby Beardie
Slinky, Baby Royal Python
Fëanor..Baby Mexican Common Boa
Casper 2011 Male Ghost Corn Snake **RIP**
Hoard of Orcs (Dubia Roach Colony)
Pearl & Ivory--African Giant Albino Land Snails
Ra, Taiwanese Beauty Snake
Henry, Western Hognose *Missing*
Pippin, Coastal X Diamond Carpet Python
Elanor, Pastel Royal
Timmy, Western Hognose
Flake, Calico male royal, Eowyn, Arabesque Boa |
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austin_89
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1248 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 17:43:30
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Hey bats :) I'll not be getting one just yet but i think im definitely gonna go for it i don't really have space at the minute, which is the reason I've not got another royal yet, since joining this forum my eyes have been opened to morphs I've never seen before and i just want them all but i still really want my albino :( i plan on saving for him tho :)
What exactly is IBD? |
1.1.0 Normal Royal Pythons... Kane (CF11) + Frankie (CB11)
1.0.0 Spider Royal Python (CB13)
1.0.0 100% het kahl albino boa Dexter (CB13)
1.0.0 Butter Corn...
0.1.0 Snow Corn... Alice
0.1.0 Red Harlequin Crested Gecko... Charlie
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko... Cleo
1.1.0 African Green Mantis
1.0.0 Staffy... Alfie
1.1.0 Cats... Ebony and DK
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austin_89
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1248 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 17:45:32
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| Sorry Janie, didn't see your post... Well im gonna go for it as soon as i can afford it and i have space for one :) |
1.1.0 Normal Royal Pythons... Kane (CF11) + Frankie (CB11)
1.0.0 Spider Royal Python (CB13)
1.0.0 100% het kahl albino boa Dexter (CB13)
1.0.0 Butter Corn...
0.1.0 Snow Corn... Alice
0.1.0 Red Harlequin Crested Gecko... Charlie
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko... Cleo
1.1.0 African Green Mantis
1.0.0 Staffy... Alfie
1.1.0 Cats... Ebony and DK
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 18:07:41
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http://www.anapsid.org/ibd.html
plus a video -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9qkxu91Uns&feature=related
But truly, don't be too alarmed - these are worst case scenarios. However, it's a good thing to be aware and take precautions.
My new little Irian Jaya carpet came from a supplier who had boas in the same snake room. It didn't put me off buying her - but atm she's on her own in the back bedroom and I'll be quarantining her for the next three months, but she's a bright little thing, eating like a tiger and quite full of herself. Nevertheless, she's going to stay in quarantine, just to be on the safe side. |
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austin_89
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1248 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 18:12:04
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I'll read that in a sec, thank you :)
What do you need to do for quarantine? |
1.1.0 Normal Royal Pythons... Kane (CF11) + Frankie (CB11)
1.0.0 Spider Royal Python (CB13)
1.0.0 100% het kahl albino boa Dexter (CB13)
1.0.0 Butter Corn...
0.1.0 Snow Corn... Alice
0.1.0 Red Harlequin Crested Gecko... Charlie
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko... Cleo
1.1.0 African Green Mantis
1.0.0 Staffy... Alfie
1.1.0 Cats... Ebony and DK
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austin_89
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1248 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 18:14:58
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| Aww bless, poor thing :( |
1.1.0 Normal Royal Pythons... Kane (CF11) + Frankie (CB11)
1.0.0 Spider Royal Python (CB13)
1.0.0 100% het kahl albino boa Dexter (CB13)
1.0.0 Butter Corn...
0.1.0 Snow Corn... Alice
0.1.0 Red Harlequin Crested Gecko... Charlie
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko... Cleo
1.1.0 African Green Mantis
1.0.0 Staffy... Alfie
1.1.0 Cats... Ebony and DK
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JanieW
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2279 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 18:28:59
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Yay! Austin that is great news, and I know you'll love your Boa as much as I do Fea. They really are the bestest..so docile and real charactors :)
You gotta post some pics when you do tho Them is the rules lol |
Peoples Of Middle Earth:
Bert (Staffy) , named after Tolkien's stone Troll
Popeye, African Grey
Gimli (Son Of Gloin), Baby Beardie
Slinky, Baby Royal Python
Fëanor..Baby Mexican Common Boa
Casper 2011 Male Ghost Corn Snake **RIP**
Hoard of Orcs (Dubia Roach Colony)
Pearl & Ivory--African Giant Albino Land Snails
Ra, Taiwanese Beauty Snake
Henry, Western Hognose *Missing*
Pippin, Coastal X Diamond Carpet Python
Elanor, Pastel Royal
Timmy, Western Hognose
Flake, Calico male royal, Eowyn, Arabesque Boa |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 18:37:28
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Quarantine is just that, they cant be kept in the same room, you deal with the quarantined snake last and scrub down after. I regrettably didnt know the full facts about IBD and didnt quarantine my Boa though I had known my Boa for a month or two before buying her but that is no excuse and I do consider myself lucky. There is also the requirement for quarantine for other nasties such as mites etc but IBD is fatal to Royals very quickly.
On the Boa front I have a Hogg Island Boa, another dwarf Boa but a larger dwarf with very pale (colour changing) skin.
They are amazing snakes, Hoggs have a reputation of been a bit nippy and Sanke was a little bit defensive when she was little but I have never been bitten by her, now she is such a calm and lovely little snake.
This is a video of her just chilling out on my lap, she is about 3 feet at the moment so still has a little bit of growth to go (5-6 feet)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPtxe76MNuE |
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 18:50:17
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| Aye like lotabob I didn't quarantine through not knowing about it, I got lucky too. But I have declined rescue boa's on the basis I cannot quarantine |
\v/ Click me for Kelfezond Reptiles Facebook Page! \v/
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JanieW
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2279 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 18:57:44
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IBD is a dreadful disease, and definately one to be aware of and quarantine, but so you should bringing any new snake in. It is however rare, and no reason to be put off getting a Boa..my vet hasn't seen a case in 12yrs.
Just be sure to handle the snake before buying..it should have a firm grip and not feel floppy. |
Peoples Of Middle Earth:
Bert (Staffy) , named after Tolkien's stone Troll
Popeye, African Grey
Gimli (Son Of Gloin), Baby Beardie
Slinky, Baby Royal Python
Fëanor..Baby Mexican Common Boa
Casper 2011 Male Ghost Corn Snake **RIP**
Hoard of Orcs (Dubia Roach Colony)
Pearl & Ivory--African Giant Albino Land Snails
Ra, Taiwanese Beauty Snake
Henry, Western Hognose *Missing*
Pippin, Coastal X Diamond Carpet Python
Elanor, Pastel Royal
Timmy, Western Hognose
Flake, Calico male royal, Eowyn, Arabesque Boa |
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austin_89
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1248 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 18:59:31
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Aww she's gorgeous :) I'll definitely post pics when I get a new one don't worry about that :)
See that's why I love this forum, I wouldn't have known about quarantine otherwise. |
1.1.0 Normal Royal Pythons... Kane (CF11) + Frankie (CB11)
1.0.0 Spider Royal Python (CB13)
1.0.0 100% het kahl albino boa Dexter (CB13)
1.0.0 Butter Corn...
0.1.0 Snow Corn... Alice
0.1.0 Red Harlequin Crested Gecko... Charlie
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko... Cleo
1.1.0 African Green Mantis
1.0.0 Staffy... Alfie
1.1.0 Cats... Ebony and DK
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 19:12:34
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quote:
Originally posted by austin_89
I'll read that in a sec, thank you :)
What do you need to do for quarantine?
I use antibac gel even after changing Sulah's water or touching any of her belongings - never mind handling her. She has her own feeding tongs and container for holding her cleanings, and like Bob I attend to the other snakes first and see to her last - and wash hands with antibac after that.
I don't anticipate any problems, but it's as well to make sure. |
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austin_89
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1248 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 19:12:35
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| I've never even handled a boa, all the pet shops I've been in never have babies in :( but thanks for the advice |
1.1.0 Normal Royal Pythons... Kane (CF11) + Frankie (CB11)
1.0.0 Spider Royal Python (CB13)
1.0.0 100% het kahl albino boa Dexter (CB13)
1.0.0 Butter Corn...
0.1.0 Snow Corn... Alice
0.1.0 Red Harlequin Crested Gecko... Charlie
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko... Cleo
1.1.0 African Green Mantis
1.0.0 Staffy... Alfie
1.1.0 Cats... Ebony and DK
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austin_89
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1248 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 19:14:36
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I keep overlapping with people! Lol yeah it's always best to be prepared :)
Where do you get your names from bats? I like em :) |
1.1.0 Normal Royal Pythons... Kane (CF11) + Frankie (CB11)
1.0.0 Spider Royal Python (CB13)
1.0.0 100% het kahl albino boa Dexter (CB13)
1.0.0 Butter Corn...
0.1.0 Snow Corn... Alice
0.1.0 Red Harlequin Crested Gecko... Charlie
0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko... Cleo
1.1.0 African Green Mantis
1.0.0 Staffy... Alfie
1.1.0 Cats... Ebony and DK
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blackskull
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1278 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 19:21:11
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boas are lovely.i always wanted a common bci but the other half was worried about the size they reach and concerned about having to deal with a fully grown one if for some reason i was un able too.but the bug was always there in the back of my head and one day i saw an add for true sonoran dwarfs, so i sent an email got in my car a couple of days later and snapped up the last female and not regretted it since.
sonorans are slow growers as far as i understand and don't get too big, males 4-5ft females 5-6ft. mine has never once gone for me or my gf, even though she can be slightly nervous when picking her up and she has only hissed at me once when i was picking her up. mine is a bit on the shy side, doing her best to be like a royal lol, but when she is out of the viv is very active. she has lovely colouring with a blue sheen and a slight pink colouration to her white markings.
so in short get a boa, any species lol |
1.1 normal royal, sully, silver
0.1 pinstripe royal, penny
1.1 pastel royal, lars, clover
0.1 lesser royal, serenity
0.1 black pastel royal, betty
0.1 mojave royal, mavis
0.1 normal het clown
1.0 pastel het clown
1.0 nuclear, ned
1.0 super phantom
1.0 childrens python, myles
0.1 hog island boa
0.1 sonoran x boa, grace
0.0.1 mack snow leopard gecko, munchkin
4.1 cats, stan, dave, marble, binx, daisy
4.1 rabbits, mol, ted, bill, spud, alice
0.1 crazy cat/bunny lady of bridgwater, lucy |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 19:37:40
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quote:
Originally posted by austin_89
I keep overlapping with people! Lol yeah it's always best to be prepared :)
Where do you get your names from bats? I like em :)
Thanks - you mean my snakes' names?
The royals' names happened by accident - a few years back I had a craze for learning Urdu, and the night before I picked up my first royal I was racking my brains for a name for him and thought, what's the Urdu for 'royal'? Shahi!
So the rest of them sort of followed on - Saada is Arabic for 'happiness', Surahi means one of those potbellied water pitchers with the narrow neck, and Shiva is a Hindu god who is depicted meditating with a snake round his neck.
The corns all have corny American names; Shadrach I chose because it fitted in with the general 'S' theme; Sulah chose her name before she came (I couldn't stop thinking about a snake named Sulah) and as for Ziska ...well ...there's a very melodramatic Victorian novel called 'Ziska - the problem of a wicked soul' ...it does rather suit her lol! |
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Boas
