Your Reptile and Amphibian Resource and Information Site

Back to Boas-Red Tail Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area  

Boas-Red Tail Forum

Sam the gecko   SusanC   Naptown_Man   BEARDED   Naptown_Man   TymLrd2   BEARDED   Trevor whitman   Cosmic Serpent   Josephine 11 !!   Animommy   Addicted   Josephine 11 !!   Addicted   Crazygirl08   Animommy   SusanC   Animommy   Chezequerz   Josephine 11 !!   Crazygirl08  
 Member  Message

 #1628088


Sam the gecko
View Profile

 Red tails as pets

Are they calm ?
Are they messy?
are they good for begginners?
How much room do they require?
02/18/08  07:53am

 #1628185


SusanC
View Profile



   Message To: Sam the gecko   In reference to Message Id: 1628088


 Red tails as pets

Sam,
I’m almost scared to respond b/c I’m so new here.. but here’s my opinion for what it’s worth. I LOVE my red tails... I have 1.1 (Gandhi and India) Are they calm? Mine are... well India can be a handful when she is not held every other day or so (but she is around 7 feet long)... Are they messy? well let’s just say... when they poop... you’ll think a full grown dog went in there... if they have access to fresh water on a constant basis... they can and will release lots of fluid along with their urates. Are they good for beginners? that depends on what you want. I also have a Ball Python and some people here have told me that BP’s are not beginner snakes.. it was my second snake and I love her as much as the RTB...so far, I have found her the easiest. If you want a snake that is content just to hang out with you... a Boa is great... once they get comfy... mine just kinda hangs out. How much room do they require? well as you’ll see when you read about them... most snakes are happy as long as their enclosure is 2/3 their body length... this is the exact same advice that I read in books... on the net.. my breeder gives and the members of this forum give... so I am apt to believe that this is true.
If you want a snake that is pretty and you don’t care if you hold it and it’s just going to be a showpiece... there are lots of beautiful snakes... but if you want it to be beautiful and you want to hold it... then RTB’s are probably perfect... just make sure you get everything prepared ahead of time.... and make sure to follow all safety measures to ensure the health and happiness of yourself and your pet. Good luck and let me know what you decide.
Susan
02/18/08  10:35am

 #1628214


Naptown_Man
View Profile



   Message To: SusanC   In reference to Message Id: 1628185


 Red tails as pets

I had 5 RTB and in my opinion they are just as good of a beginner snakes as a corn or BP. They are calm and easy to handle even at a big size. I never had any of mine even try to strike at me but they will if they feel threatened. Mines always ate for me. I would recomend getting a baby male to start off with and learn from him. They real do make great friends,pets. I know some people will say no they are not good beginner snakes but if you are able to provide the proper housing then you will be fine with one.
02/18/08  11:00am

 #1628238


BEARDED
View Profile



   Message To: Naptown_Man   In reference to Message Id: 1628214


 Red tails as pets

I would say no. Are you prepared to have someone there every time you open the enclosure to change its water, clean its poop or feed it once the snake hits 5’?

Do you have people to help you handle it every time you want to take it out?

Are you prepared for something that has potential to get 10’ long and weigh 60 pounds?

Are you prepared for a snake that can live 20 years plus?

If you answered no to any of these Questions than you are not ready for a RTB

These snakes are not something that you can easily get rid of if they get to big for you to handle or you can no longer care for it. If you get a RTB prepare your self for a lifetime of caring for that animal.

I’m not trying to scare you of or anything or sound mean, but this is a serious commitment if you do get one.




02/18/08  11:20am

 #1628309


Naptown_Man
View Profile



   Message To: BEARDED   In reference to Message Id: 1628238


 Red tails as pets

Quote:

Are you prepared to have someone there every time you open the enclosure to change its water, clean its poop or feed it once the snake hits 5’?

A 5ft RTB is easy to handle by yourself. Its one person for every 6-7 foot of snake when your holding it or have to take it out.

Quote:

Are you prepared for a snake that can live 20 years plus?

That something you have to think about will all snakes not just RTBs since they all can live to be around 20 or more years old. If you not ready for a 20 year or more commitment then you shouldnt get any snake.
Like I stated before if you want one get a baby and learn from it. Most people say to start with a ball python or corn but all they will teach you is how to get temps,humidity and houseing right(which you have to know how with any snake). It will teach you how to hold a snake but it wont teach you any thing about holding big snakes. Holding and monovering a big snake is nothing like holding and monovering a small snake. If your ready for a long time commitment and you can house them properly then a RTB will be nothing. Now burms,retics and condas are a different story, they can grow 2-3 times the size of a RTB and are bigger bodied.
02/18/08  12:45pm

 #1628408


TymLrd2
View Profile



   Message To: Naptown_Man   In reference to Message Id: 1628309


 Red tails as pets

Columbians are the best and calmest snakes ever.I think they make a good beginner snake if your wanting something big( it was my first large snake).Males are smaller then females if size is a concern.A nice well fed but not overfed female can get 8+ feet, males around 6ft.The boa I had was 7ft when I traded her off at 3yrs old(worst mistake ever) and I could handle her no problem.I kept mine in a 4x2x14 when smaller but it would have been adequate for her even at 7ft.I did however make a double decker cage with another 4x2 and she used both top and bottom constantly.
Do lots of research, about feeding techniques(very important), husbandry, all the humidity and temp requirements.I keep a logbook with a caresheet and feeding schedule, sheds etc in it.

Surinames and some others are harder, they require more perfect husbandry and get bigger.Plus they are more nervous and easily stressed then Columbians boas.Can you tell I like Columbians..I have Argentines now and they are great too but alot bigger then Columbians.I really want to get another Col. one of these days soon.



02/18/08  02:25pm

 #1628571


BEARDED
View Profile



   Message To: Naptown_Man   In reference to Message Id: 1628309


 Red tails as pets

A 5ft RTB is easy to handle by yourself. Its one person for every 6-7 foot of snake when your holding it or have to take it out.

Quote:



Well I have to disagree. I think we underestimate the power of these snakes. Now maybe 5’ isn’t that dangerous, but definetly when it hits 6’ you should have someone there at all times. 7’ is really pushing it and you could be killed. Even at 5’ if the snake bites your face and thows a coil or two around your neck before you have time to get it off your going to be passed out or dead. These creatures demand respect.

Quote:



That something you have to think about will all snakes not just RTBs since they all can live to be around 20 or more years old. If you not ready for a 20 year or more commitment then you shouldn’t get any snake.

Quote:



Yeah I worded that wrong. Sorry about that.
02/18/08  04:38pm

 #1629220


Trevor whitman
View Profile



   Message To: Sam the gecko   In reference to Message Id: 1628088


 Red tails as pets

i have a red tail boa and it is a baby. mine is only a foot long and she is calm and she is not messy. i only have a 30 gallen tank i am going to buy a new one soon
i think she i a great pet for a begginner this is my first snake and i dont know that much


she does not drink that much is that ok ?????????



02/18/08  11:51pm

 #1630762


Cosmic Serpent
View Profile



   Message To: BEARDED   In reference to Message Id: 1628571


 Red tails as pets

Get a hook, mine is almost 6’ i would guess and i’m a pretty weak dude, but I have never even been concerned about getting hurt. Haha, you could be killed? You know the chances of dying from a captive snake (non poisionous) is almost 5x less likely than dying from being struck by lightning? I also have a little bottle of 151 alcohol on my cage so that if they ever do go into feeding responce on me i can just dump that on their face and they will let go. If you have a hook, and can keep his/her face away from yours, then you should have no problem getting them out. and handling them relatively easily.

I haven’t got bit since i got my hook, i’ll say that.
02/20/08  12:52pm

 #1631523


Josephine 11 !!
View Profile



   Message To: Cosmic Serpent   In reference to Message Id: 1630762


 Red tails as pets

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my rtb, Inga! She’s gentle, calm, sweet, cute and over 6 feet long. I am her only handler but I respect her and if she gives the slightest indication that she doesn’t want to be handled, I leave her be. She has a loud hiss. Most of the time, she seems to like being handled and being out of the cage, but I make sure that I am in control and paying attention. Also, I am the ONLY one whoi handles Inga so I think there is a trust between us - she lives in a quiet environment with no loud noises or threats to her safety and I really believe that matters. She has never really been defensive and she has a small feeding response - she eats only f/t and she doesn’t like them to move -she likes her food to be there for awhile before she eats it in the dark and by herself. She’s a wonderful pet - I was worried about her size when I first got her from Deedle 2 years ago when she was 4 feet but she’s manageable and I really think that being used to me and only me helps her attitude. Still, I am cautious without being afraid - and respectful to her at all times.
Deb
02/21/08  12:06am

 #1637909


Animommy
View Profile



   Message To: Josephine 11 !!   In reference to Message Id: 1631523


 Red tails as pets

Quote:

Haha, you could be killed? You know the chances of dying from a captive snake (non poisionous) is almost 5x less likely than dying from being struck by lightning?



Its the idiots that think that way & let thier guard down that it happens to-LESS LIKELY NEVER MEANS UNLIKELY!

Quote:

I also have a little bottle of 151 alcohol on my cage so that if they ever do go into feeding responce on me i can just dump that on their face and they will let go.



You should NEVER dump ANY TYPE of alcohol DIRECTLY on a snake’s head! You can do SERIOUS damage to them! You are supposed to wave a bottle of RUBBING ALCOHOL around the snake’s head so they get the scent and let go!!! OMG!!!

Quote:

Most people say to start with a ball python or corn but all they will teach you is how to get temps,humidity and houseing right(which you have to know how with any snake). It will teach you how to hold a snake but it wont teach you any thing about holding big snakes. Holding and monovering a big snake is nothing like holding and monovering a small snake. If your ready for a long time commitment and you can house them properly then a RTB will be nothing.



Sorry, but as a LONG TIME snake owner, i have to disagree! Thats the POINT of snakes such as milks, corns, kings, etc is to teach you THE BASICS! Getting temps, etc correct is a bit of an art when you have NEVER dealt with reptiles before, so it IS better to start out with one of these, as RTBs require a certain humidity level at all times & are a bit (just a BIT) not alot more advanced in that regard. ive had snakes for yrs now & STILL struggle with humidity levels.

Just my thoughts though-and yes, the ratio IS 2 ppl once a snake is 5’ or longer-a 5’ snake CAN kill you even without intention!
02/25/08  08:35pm

 #1637972


Addicted
View Profile



   Message To: Animommy   In reference to Message Id: 1637909


 Red tails as pets

Quote:

Its the idiots that think that way & let thier guard down that it happens to-LESS LIKELY NEVER MEANS UNLIKELY!



Boas can be dangerous,no one has ever been killed by one though.

Quote:

You should NEVER dump ANY TYPE of alcohol DIRECTLY on a snake’s head! You can do SERIOUS damage to them! You are supposed to wave a bottle of RUBBING ALCOHOL around the snake’s head so they get the scent and let go!!! OMG!!



That is 100% false,no rubbing alcohol...the stuff you drink is just fine for the job.



BTW,i own a few snakes and several are on the large side.I have no helper just common sense,if i had to have someone around all the time i would never get to clean my cages or feed them!!!...LoL.
02/25/08  09:33pm

 #1637992


Josephine 11 !!
View Profile



   Message To: Addicted   In reference to Message Id: 1637972


 Red tails as pets

Well I dont’ know how to pull off the quote but I didn’t know that the point of having ball pythons, kings, and corns were to get used to having a snake. Like it’s OK to make mistakes with them because they don’t’ count. I thought the point of having a snake like that is to have a manageable pet that you can handle easily and doesn’t take up alot of room you don’t have. But mainly to have a longtime pet that you can love - not use as an experiment to see if you can handle owning a snake or to practice on til the real thing comes along.
02/25/08  09:44pm

 #1637993


Addicted
View Profile



   Message To: Addicted   In reference to Message Id: 1637972


 Red tails as pets

Quote:

a 5’ snake CAN kill you even without intention!



I missed that part,Maybe if your a 5 y/o.I guess if you just let the thing strangle you without protest but really,no 5 foot snake is going to off me...LoL.
02/25/08  09:44pm

 #1638380


Crazygirl08
View Profile



   Message To: Addicted   In reference to Message Id: 1637993


 Red tails as pets

1. Are they calm? Very, but energetic as well, you have to continue handling them from the moment you get to adult. Not saying you should stop handling at adult, no, continue to hold.
2. Are the messy? Not really, mine normally stay in one are until it’s time to feed or they want to soak. When they defecate it should be compact not runny. So No I wouldn’t say their to messy.
3. Are the good begginers? I would defenantly recommend a redtail for a begginer any day, but when it comes to the size they would get, if you have any worries you should definantly look into Ball Pythons.
4. How Much room do they require? As a Baby Mayaguez has a 30 gal tank, as an adult like my burms, boo has a half a room built for her, when mayaguez is big enough she will shift into boo’s room. But Most people will recommend something like a 8x3x3 for a male, and a 10x4x4 for a male. My snakes stay in pairs thats why they have bigger rooms.


As for columbians being calmest, NOT, My columbian Boo is willing to jet as soon as she gets a chance she is extreamly ten times more energetic then Mayaguez and Mayaguez is a baby normal boa, when it comes to size though a columbian would be your best choice. Boo is an Adult female and is only 7-8 feet while my breeders normal redtail is 12 feet in length. During feeding time my fiance’ Tony comes and stands by the tank when I throw the rabbits in for the Burms and Boo because they are large snake and once they get a wif of that prey they are ready to go! They could easily strike and miss and end up with you in their coils not knowing it was you and not the prey, remember that recently you were just handling the prey and you smell like it. I have walk in doors on my tanks not lids so its both easier to throw prey in, but you have to be quick about it!So somebody was right by saying you probably should have someone there during feeding, but any other time should be cool. I hold my 17 foot Burm, Jangabella no prob whatso ever with out someone there 24/7.



02/26/08  09:12am

 #1638442


Animommy
View Profile



   Message To: Crazygirl08   In reference to Message Id: 1638380


 Red tails as pets

Quote:

Boas can be dangerous,no one has ever been killed by one though.



i meant ANY large snake, not just boas, it was a general comment ;-D

Quote:

BTW,i own a few snakes and several are on the large side.I have no helper just common sense,if i had to have someone around all the time i would never get to clean my cages or feed them!!!...LoL.



Oh, i agree, i feel the same way about mine, but i’m talking for a BEGINNER snake owner. i am not & i know that you are not beginners with snakes ;-D

Quote:

I missed that part,Maybe if your a 5 y/o.I guess if you just let the thing strangle you without protest but really,no 5 foot snake is going to off me...LoL.



mmmm...no-if it coils around someone’s NECK even at that size, IF THEY PANIC-yea it CAN happen-im not talking about you per se-im speaking of inexperienced snake owners-the bottom line is to never let your guard down

Quote:

Well I dont’ know how to pull off the quote but I didn’t know that the point of having ball pythons, kings, and corns were to get used to having a snake. Like it’s OK to make mistakes with them because they don’t’ count. I thought the point of having a snake like that is to have a manageable pet that you can handle easily and doesn’t take up alot of room you don’t have. But mainly to have a longtime pet that you can love - not use as an experiment to see if you can handle owning a snake or to practice on til the real thing comes along.



You ARE kidding right?! Who said ANYTHING about them being "experiments"?! i have loved each and every snake i’ve EVER owned & TO THIS DAY, STILL mourn the loss of my 1st snake, who was a kingsnake! NO ONE said that they don’t count, but i personally dont reccommend starting off with something thats a bit more advanced like a rtb-if you’ve never dealt with husbandry before!

is there ANY common sense on these boards??? seems like its still a bunch of kids, thats why i left the 1st time, EVERYONE can post thier opinions here-no ones word on here is necissarily gospel (but facts are facts)
02/26/08  10:10am

 #1638585


SusanC
View Profile



   Message To: Animommy   In reference to Message Id: 1638442


 Red tails as pets

I am truly getting a kick out of this thread. Boas are AWESOME pets...I might in an emergency hold my 5’ alone... but would never hold my 7’ alone. I would think this would apply to all snakes over this length and would just be common sense. However they are very docile.. and in my opinion great beginner snakes if gotten when they are smaller.. I am not telling people to go out and buy a 7’ long boa! It’s been my experience that boas can be a little more forgiving if their temps or humidity fall. Snakes such as a Ball Python aren’t as forgiving... and as someone said... getting these correct as a new snake owner can be somewhat of an art. The person who said that a boa’s bowel movement is not messy... needs to come to my house... when my 7 footer goes... it looks like a full grown dog went in there and pooped... that was the first thing that my breeder warned me about (being a girlie girl lol) I also noticed that someone said they housed their snakes in pairs... to each his/her own... but as a new snake owner... well as a snake owner period NEVER ever do this.. that is all I’ll say about that b/c I am not going to debate the issue.It’s incorrect... nuff said. As far as the room they need... the MINIMAL amount is said to be 2/3 the snake’s length. I’m sure that there will be comments.. and that is fine.. that’s why there are places like these to come and learn... and see what people do..and be able to tell the difference between what will work for you and for your snake. My advice? if at all possible, get a mentor.. one right there near you... that knows about handling snakes and taking care of them. OR get an on line mentor..someone that you trust..preferably someone that owns the type of snake you want. Ask questions... and read... read... and read some more... and just when you think you know what you’re talking about... read it again. Because chances are... you missed something. (trust me I’ve read my Boa book about 12 times and I always find something else that I think is important.)
02/26/08  01:21pm

 #1639118


Animommy
View Profile



   Message To: SusanC   In reference to Message Id: 1638585


 Red tails as pets

VERY nicely said! its true that boas can be a starter snake, but i dont reccommend it JUST from personal experience-but i DO AGREE TOTALLY that they are VERY forgiving about humidity & temps, im personally really anal about it & kinda freak if anything is off by a degree! :-D Thats a great point that i overlooked, glad you said something!

So in that regard, they perhaps are not a bad starter snake after all-again, very nicely put!



02/26/08  06:49pm

 #1639943


Chezequerz
View Profile



   Message To: Animommy   In reference to Message Id: 1638442


 Red tails as pets

since nobody has been killed by a boa the idea that a boa over 5 feet can kill you or is a hazard is ungrounded if this were an anaconda, retic or burmese board i would be inclined to agree with you though. I think boa’s as first pets arent that bad if you can maintain the environment they need. They aren’t exactly renowned for growing fast so u have the time to adjust to them and grow with them
02/27/08  11:55am

 #1641879


Josephine 11 !!
View Profile



   Message To: Chezequerz   In reference to Message Id: 1639943


 Red tails as pets

Animommy I was not responding to you - I was responding to the person who was talking about redtails being able to kill you etc. I know you love your snakes. I don’t know how to pull a quote off there so no one could tell who I was responding to . As far as my immaturity, I am a fifty year old woman who loves my reptiles and it upsets me when someone sounds callous about ball pythons and the more beginner snakes. I was not talkng about you.
02/28/08  07:47pm

 #1642630


Crazygirl08
View Profile



   Message To: Josephine 11 !!   In reference to Message Id: 1641879


 Red tails as pets

Josephine 11, when you go to type your message, go up to posted by scroll down, click veiw thread. Then high light what you want to quote, right click and copy. Then go to the little boxes above the message box and click quote, right click again, paste, and click quote again. wish you the best.
02/29/08  01:27pm


Back to Boas-Red Tail Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area