Columbian Red-Tailed Boa

[Justyn20003]

Does anyone have any experiance with them or tips? I really would love to get one.

[SnakeKeeper]

What do you want to know?


First of all, if this is your first snake, a boa might not be the best option. They're really hardy, usually good feeders, and very docile; it's just that the size can be a bit unmanageable if you've never kept a snake before. Imo, you'd be better off starting with a colubrid (corn, king, milk, garter, etc. all of which stay under 6 feet), a Kenyan sand, rosy, or rubber boa (all of which stay under 3 feet), or a ball python (stays under 5ft). My personal favorites are BPs. Sweetest animals on the planet. Gorgeous, too, and I adore their girth. (Similar girth / length ratio to a boa.) Yes, many have issues feeding, but it varies from snake-to-snake.

Honestly, though, it's all up to you. If you really want a boa and you're comfortable with eventually dealing with a 10ft+ snake (they average out a bit smaller, but I've seen truly massive BCIs) that needs a big cage and craps like a cow, go for it. Just be prepared and do as much research as you can. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

Don't get me wrong; I absolutely love BCIs, they're just not for everyone, and consideration should definitely be taken before buying a snake with such potential. I have seen too many neglected BCIs as a result of their owners being unable to care for such a large snake.

[samsho07]

Ive had a columbian red tailed boa for a couple months and she is the sweetest snake ever. She is very calm and does not seem to mind being held.

[CreepyCrawly]

Columbian Boas are my favorite snakes! I have a 6' female pastel who is just awesome. I have had her since she was just a neonate. I also have a Columbian/hog island intergrade who is just about 4', and a couple of Dumeril's boas, and a ball python.

If it's your first snake, I'd also recommend going with a Ball. But if you've been keeping snakes for a while, and are ready for a large snake, I say go for it! They're fairly easy to keep, IMO, but make sure you have room for a large, SECURE, cage. I adore mine. Also, I have found that I like using those rubbermaid/gladware (the throwaway kind) as water dishes. They've got lots of surface area, and room to soak in. Also, I like using aspen shavings. And feed frozen/thawed feeders.

[monster]

love mine
http://www.anapsid.org/boa.html

[sublimegeckos]

amazing, sweet snake.. but due to their size you must have someone else in the house that isn't afraid to handle them too! and be prepared to have at least half a freezer full of feeders.

[bekers71]

Boas are great animals to have. They are generally sweet and easy to handle. I prefer the dwarf species my self. At the moment I have 10 boas, 4 of which are dwarfs and they are great. My biggest is 6 yrs old and not quit 6 ft and the smallest is almost 2 1/2 yrs old and barely 2 foot long. So if you'd like a smaller type boa go for a dwarf.

[ChaoticNightsReptile]

The red tail boa is usually a great snake, if you can properly house one I recomend them. I have a nice young female RTB and she takes frozen/thawed rats with no problems, despite being fed live her entire life until I got her. They adapt to new surroundings well and are generally mellow and docile.