Brand new

Stonefield · 01-05-19, 01:00 PM

Hello everyone, I am a brand new snake owner (Red tailed boa). I have wanted one all my life and my wife has finally allowed me to get one. Anyway, I found this site and look forward to gleaning all the helpful information.

My Boa is now a few days over eight months old and I have him on one frozen fuzzie once every seven days. He is eating well so far.

**EL Ziggy** · 01-05-19, 06:23 PM

Welcome aboard and congrats on the new boa Stone. Share pics when you can.

Stonefield · 01-06-19, 01:12 PM

Thanks Ziggy. I will be posting pictures shortly. I'm not sure, but I'm thinking about feeding my red tail one fuzzy every four days instead of every seven? He is a very good eater. I have researched power feeding some, but have found most experienced handlers advise against it and to instead just shorten the time between feedings? Lol, I guess I'm a bit impatient and I'd like to speed up his growth. Already since I've picked him up at the end of Nov. I can see a sizable change in his girth. Any recommendations are appreciated.

ClockwerkBonnet · 01-07-19, 05:55 AM

Welcome to the forum! We're glad you're here.

**Andy_G** · 01-07-19, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stonefield

Thanks Ziggy. I will be posting pictures shortly. I'm not sure, but I'm thinking about feeding my red tail one fuzzy every four days instead of every seven? He is a very good eater. I have researched power feeding some, but have found most experienced handlers advise against it and to instead just shorten the time between feedings? Lol, I guess I'm a bit impatient and I'd like to speed up his growth. Already since I've picked him up at the end of Nov. I can see a sizable change in his girth. Any recommendations are appreciated.

Boas have a very slow metabolism. For a neonate, appropriately sized meals every 7-10 days would be best. You've unfortunately not picked the best species if you're impatient to see it grow, but I am sure you'll be able to tough it out.

eminart · 01-07-19, 10:54 AM

Welcome! And, I agree with Andy on the feeding.

One other note is to be sure you're using the correct terminology for your snake. Do you have an actual "red tailed boa" (Boa constrictor constrictor, BCC) or do you have a Boa constrictor imperator (BCI)? The BCI's are far more common in the pet world. They're smaller and come from a lot of different localities. There are a lot more color and pattern morphs bred in the BCI's. They're mistakenly called "red tailed boas" by many in the pet trade.

The BCC's get larger, as I said, and usually have a truly red tail that remains into adulthood. These snakes usually come from countries farther south, like Suriname.

Stonefield · 01-13-19, 07:32 AM

Thank you Andy and eminart. I will keep him on a 7-10 feeding schedule. I guess I'm not entirely sure? The man I purchased him from seemed to be an experienced handler? He had a large array of reptiles and snakes. He said he had owned snakes for some thirty years roughly, If I remember correctly? He had a huge reticulated python and a 8 foot "Red tail boa" he named Joc? He really did have a large collection of snakes. I would guess, without actually counting every snake I saw, that he probably had near 12 or 15 different specimens on display? He said he occasionally bred his snakes and sold a few but mostly bred for himself. He told me the snake I had purchased was a "Red tailed boa" and also told me that while the females do get a bit larger, he was fairly sure mine was a male. he also told me that the the females reach a size of 9 to 10 feet, while the males usually average about seven or possibly eight? I'm not an expert so based on the specimen he had in his shop, the obvious red tail on the young snakes and my discussion with him, I would say its most likely a BCC? He also had mentioned the term Boa constrictor constrictor, though at the time I had no Idea what that meant? And I never asked for an elaboration. I'll post a few pictures and you all can take a look and give some feedback. Again, i appreciate all your help.