Looking at a red tailed boa..?

Question

I just moved into my new house and a neighbor down the street has a 24" red tailed boa in with a ball python. It is in a fairly small cage, has no source of heat, and is not well fed. I reached in to pick it up and it was very aggressive and tagged my hand, likely because the owner does not like to handle his snakes much and it is hungry. Aside from all this it is fairly healthy and though I am not really looking for another snake, I am thinking about taking it off of his hands to take care of it properly as it is a pretty snake and he is an idiot. I know they get to be about 8-10 feet, but how difficult are they to take care of compared to other constrictors? He is offering it for free, I will need to get a set up for it though.

Answer 1

Take both of them if you can. All snakes need some type of heat in their tanks. When you get the tank set up make sure that it is big enough that the poor baby can streatch out fully. The tank needs to be no smaller then the snake when meashered both along the long side and the short. Red tails like to climb when they are smaller so make sure to get some thing for him/her to climb on. The tank needs to be around 90 during the day and down to 70 at night. Tehy shead better when they have pleanty of humidaty so try to have the tank set up for that. Make sure that the snake has a cold side and a warm sinde (a cold side to cool off if he/she starts to over heat. The best way to have a warm tank is to have a pretty much closed lid with vents on the lower parts of the tank for air. I would take him/her to the vet to be checked out for mites and if there is anything extra you need to do. red Tails are good becuase for the most part they are dosile. It also sounds like that guy might be feeding the red tail in the tank, that is one thing that can cause snakes to tag you. That is why my burm atempted to tag me when I first got her.

For that guy who has her now. I would call the spca on him or look for a local herp group and see if one of them can go an talk to the guy about taking the other snake off of him hand since he is ignorint to the snake's needs.

Also DO NOT PUT THE NEW SNAKE IN THE SAME ROOM WITH ANYOTHER SNAKES THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE FOR ATLEAST A MONTH. IF YOU DO IT CAN CAUSE YOUR OTHER SNAKES TO GET SICK/ DIE IF S/HE IS SICK.


Good luck.

Answer 2

It sounds like the boa is about a year old and no it's noyt used to being handled and being kept in a tank with a different snake will stress both of them.

If you decide to take it off his hands you will need to handle it regularly even though it is aggressive. A lot of times it will take a few months to get it used to being picked up but because it is still a baby it will still learn.

I have worked with a 4 foot 50 lb blood python and she is a snake from hell! I feed her and as I put her back in her tank she tried to tag my face. Lucky for me she was about 2 feet too short on the hook.

But take it only if you plan to spend a lot of time correcting the snake personality. if not, then suggest to your neighbor to give it to a local breeder who may take it in as a stud, if it has an interesting pattern.

A lot of times, it's our fault we get bit, or atleast thats how I look at it.

They are very nice, gentle, if they are handled. They need a high humidity, like 80, temps on a warm side 90, temps on cool side high 75s. Feed that one a small rat once or twice a week. A med if it is a thick guy and then only once a week.

A heat pad and heat lamp, preferbly an inferred bulb. I would start with a 30 long for the snake. If you get it ecoearth, it holds humidity better. A water bowl large enough for it to soak it's eniter body in.

Sounds like you have other snakes so you may want to keep it in another room until you get a fresh fecal sample a vet to make sure it doesn't carry any parasites. Also you will want to check under the head and around the eyes for mites. They like to congregate there and eat.

Other than that you're good to go.

Any questions just write me, I'll be glad to help!

Answer 3

I have a nearly 7 foot red tail. He is generally a very docile snake and likes coming out of his cage from time to time. In the 3 years I've had him he's only bitten me 3 times, once when he got out and didn't want to go back, and two when i was handling him too roughly. I know i shouldn't, but i feed my snake in his cage and he can distingust between hands and food. I just don't try to handle him when its near feeding time. why take the chance...hah

The snake when cared for can get up to 12 to 14 feet, just consider that when building a cage (most store bought ones cost way too much for the size you really need)

I'd go to www.kingsnake.com for some good care sheets for the red tail and the ball python.

Answer 4

Take the snake, take both if you can.
At 2ft, yes, you will need proper setup, heat, humidity, photoperiod, etc. But, keep in close contact with the snake as it grows and learns trust for you.
My boa is a male, about 7ft and I've had it for 12 years. Where is it now? Behind my desk. It has run of the house, along with my blackthroat monitor and beagle. They cross paths, but nothing ever happens.
If the boa you are considering is female, it will reach about 14-16 ft. IOf you have alot of interaction with it as it grows and matures, you will have a great pet. My boa and I have interaction everyday, sometimes several times a day. And, in 12 years, it has NEVER bit me,anyone else, or any other anmal in the house. Just its food.

Answer 5

red tailed boas are sorta easy to take care of.but the agressive is the only thing that is not good.they can be ill at times,but with a little tlc they should react to you with respect.and time with trust.i have a ball python and he is not hard at all to raise.if you dont already know this,you change his water everyday,with water solution.you can buy it at your local pet store.just ask the clerk and they will gladly show you.also they are used to eating mice.and if you do not like to kill the mice,or if you are scared of it than get frozen.and as far as the owner that has the boa,take it to the animal authorities.and tell them he aint feeding them properly.this is definate animal cruelty.even if the owner doesnt mean to do it outta meaness.it is still wrong.and if the owner didnt want it in the first place and just wanted it for whatever reason he shouldnt have bought the snake in the first place.if you can handle it try to get both of them and raise them on your own.they both need to be outta there.not just the boa.if you dont want the python,look around and ask a lot of ppl if they would be interested in it.better yet take it to the animal shelter.they will be gladly to take it.also,in my hometown,i called some pet stores to see if any of them would want to take a snake and raise it and they knew of some ppl that would.so thats what i am telling you.call the pet stores to see if they know of anyone that would be interested in getting the python.there are alot of ppl out there that likes snakes more than ppl give credit to.hope this helped you out on your question.
blessed be,
Lord Ashka Darkness )O(

Answer 6

Aside from getting the proper habitat, they are very easy to care for. Easier than a dog or cat. I had a 10 foot red tail that was very friendly and loved to be held. But then I handled him often and he was used to people. The aggression could be due to hunger, like you suspect. If I were you I'd take the snake. They make good pets, even if it doesn't warm up to you that much.

Answer 7

Save those snakes! A snake is like any other well taken care of pet. Feed it, house it, socialize it, handle it!! If you handle the snake on a regular basis it's aggressiveness will subside and it will turn into a great pet. It sounds like a yearling so you have a good chance of a great pet!

Answer 8

Generally rosy boas are a more docile reptile. Its a great beginner snake for most people. If you suspect abuse, the snake will take some time to become reacquainted to handling, but if you consistently try longer and longer periods with her over time, she'll come around. She'll only be more work because she wasn't handled properly. Rosies otherwise are great pets!!

Answer 9

I have had snakes for years. For the most part the red tails are the most docile and easiest snakes to have. Generally they feed well and tolerate quite a bit of handling.

It is BEST not to feed them (any snake) in their cage. I fed mine in my shower because it had a door, not a curtain. Otherwise you can use a big bin gotten in at Walmart or Target.

It sounds like your friend either does not know how to correctly care for his snakes or he is a jerk. Hopefully you can help him and them by taking them. If not, call your local herpe society.

Answer 10

I hope that you decide to take the snake-poor guy.

I wish you the best of luck.