Just realizing how big my BCI male is..

[Terranaut]

At 7' he is a beast. I know there are bigger males out there but he is still quitr a bit larger than normal. Can't wait for the warmer weather so I can weigh him at the vet. I am guessing about 15lbs. The tank they are in is 5x2x18" . Clearly he is big :)
Funny but he almost caught up to my female who is about 6" longer than him. Her head is much larger and she is still growing. So yes I am changing the water and pulling out Eva's shed (female sunglow). These 2 are getting my prototype snake enclosure I am planning to start selling. I was going to go 6x2x2 but now think I will go 8x2x3 tall. I am planning to permenantly leave this pair together. Both snakes had an attitude change the first year I paired them and seeing as it never went away even after 8months apart I figure why not.
Feel free to discuss this here. I will not be offended. I have done quite a bit of research on this and see no reason not to cohabitate 2 opposite sex, same species, same size breeders in a large viv all year around. Seperating for feeding or birthing.
But please if you disagree state your case properly and keep it civil :) Only discuss my snakes not the cohabitation concept itself. Anyway here is a pic of the big guy .
Mac
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/20130311_151437_zps343e8496.jpg

[Snakesitter]

Well done on getting the male that big, Terranaut!

I see no issue with an experienced keeper like you maintaining a pair long-term with the caveats you noted. That said, for the sake of newer readers, I would stress the "experienced keeper" part. Sometimes people read these posts and think they can do it that way for their first snakes, too!

Good luck!

[DeadlyDesires]

how come they dont have any hides? :(

[Mark Taylor]

I also see no issue as you describe the plan. Bot no hides or a big enough water bowl?

[Terranaut]

The water bowl is just for now. I have the basin out for measuring and sizing as the new enclosure has a drop in floor for the water. There are no hides because these 2 never use them. They bask on them and thats it. I have put hides in but if you look at some of my older pics you will see maybe one with my male in a hide. Again this is a temp enclosure . They have maybe another week or so in there. I also have a 6x2x16" that they go back and forth to. I feed them seperately and move the easiest one.
See. With hides. Lol
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/photo-239.jpg

[Terranaut]

Well done on getting the male that big, Terranaut!

I see no issue with an experienced keeper like you maintaining a pair long-term with the caveats you noted. That said, for the sake of newer readers, I would stress the "experienced keeper" part. Sometimes people read these posts and think they can do it that way for their first snakes, too!

Good luck!

Thanks for this.
I would generaly tell someone not to try this. I have been reading up on it for about a year at this point and still am only about 90% sure I am going to do it. But these are my pets first, breeders second so I know them very well.

[Mark Taylor]

I am sure they will be fine together good luck and keep us updated.

[moshirimon]

Mac is beautiful, definitely one of the bigger males out there.

I think theyd be fine living together if done right. I have read of other boa attitude changes after being separated, would you happen to know why?

[Terranaut]

No clue. He doesn't strike at me normaly but has bit me once and does get in the position for his first few minutes out of his viv.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/photo-111.jpg

[bcr226]

We obtained two BCI hypo's that have been living together for a while. When we first got them, we were handling them and I took the female from the immediate location of the male and he became almost frantic looking for her. We put them back in visual sight and he immediately calmed down. The female, which is significantly larger... she's 5 feet to his 3 feet long. Wasn't as freaked out but you could tell that when they were next to each other, she seemed to relax. I hadn't noticed any build up of stress when they were apart in her but it was there. Is it emotion? Don't know, but they find comfort in each other at the very least.

Because of this, we're keeping them cohabited. They're fine together and are both very loving and gentle snakes. Right now, they're in a 40 breeder tank but will be shortly moved into a custom built 8x3x4 high enclosure.

I suspect that if we separate them, we'll run into problems. We keep them well fed and handle them on a regular basis.

[Pirarucu]

I suspect that it has something to do with feeling that the area is secure. Just like putting out decoys or using calls will draw in game birds. Each figures that the presence of the other means the area is safe, and if something happens to the other, they may no longer be safe. Something similar has been seen with Nile Monitors, four were kept together and they were always out and about, but once three were sold, the remaining nile became very timid, and rarely emerges from its burrow.

[cossiecraig]

Very nice mate ,i look forward to how your enclosure build goes and hope you'll keep us updated ,good luck :)

[Snakesitter]

Great story, bcr226. Just goes to show that reptiles are much more complex than most non-keepers realize.

[snakekid6996]

My boa is opposite.. He is small for his size. I've had him for almost a year, and the person before me got it as a baby from a friend and had it a year. So, He's 2 years old and he is only about 3'.. The last owner said she fed him weekly and I have been feeding him a medium rat every other week. Although about a month ago I switched to a small-medium rat every week. He must just be really small for his age. :0 :)

[Aaron_S]

how come they dont have any hides? :(

They don't need them.


Anyway, all the best Dan.

I don't see the reason behind your decision so best of luck.

[KORBIN5895]

None of my 6'+ boas have ever used a hide no matter what I provided.

[Terranaut]

They don't need them.


Anyway, all the best Dan.

I don't see the reason behind your decision so best of luck.

No worries , I understand your reservations but it should be fine. If it's not feel free to flame me ;)