i really want a red tailed boa???

Question

i really want one but am having off thoughts HELP

Answer 1

How many snakes have you had before? Red tails shouldn't be kept by people with less then three years of experience with constrictors. They get huge, and powerful. They can also be incredibly expensive to feed, sometimes hundreds of dollars a month. They need a huge, also expensive cage (6 foot by two foot by two foot is about right for an adult.) They also cost quite a bit for heating, cage necessities (like substrate), cage locks, etc. They have to be handled on a regular basis to keep them from being a spastic chainsaw serpent, and a bite from one of those guys doesn't feel good. Been there, done that. (I work with rescue snakes, and most of those guys have terrible temperments.)

Do you have other, small pets? If your snake gets out, or your pet falls in your snakes cage, your other animal is toast. Red Tails have voracious appetites, and a adult will happily snap up any furry thing that lands within their reach.

Also if you pet your other animal, then reach your hand in with the snake, you are liable to get your hand chomped on. Snakes don't have ears, and have terrible vision, so as far as they are concerned, 'if it smells like food, if it is warm like food, if it is moving like food, it must be food!' And having that happen with a 8-15 foot snake is unpleasant, at best.

What will happen if you need to move? or you can no longer afford to care for it? Large snakes are illegal in a great deal of cities, and a lot of places won't rent to you if they know you have a large constrictor. It is really hard to find someone willing to take one of those guys from you, and if you let them go in the wild, it is a huge mess and you are just asking to get sued. Do you have someone to hold it with you when the snake is fully grown? You'll need two-three people around whenever you pick up that snake after it passes the seven foot mark, for safety's sake.

Are there small children around? it is NOT safe to have a large constrictor in the house if you have children under the age of 12 at your house on a regular basis.

Please consider everything I have said very, very carefully. If ANYTHING sounds like it would be hard or impossible for you to take care of, then I highly suggest a smaller snake, like a rosy boa, a ball python, a kenyan sand boa, or a species of that sort that is easy to care for, medium-small, and has a gentle disposition.

Answer 2

True, they should not cost you hundreds of dollars. The only thing that is expensive is the initial set up. Once you up and running things should be rather smooth and low cost.

My first snake was a red-tailed boa and maybe its all the research i did (and still doing) and i am dedicated to the care of her I feel it was/is not as difficult as some might say. I've had her for about 12 months now.

Don't get me wrong from what i have heard red-tails are an intermediate level of care, but in the end it all depends on what you want.

I don't find them aggressive in any way, in fact quite the opposite but having said that I've never had a python of any kind.

As someone else said PLEASE, no matter what you choose as your new friend, PLEASE do a lot of research before getting your snake.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I actually have a pink tailed boa. He has in basic terms ever bit as quickly as, whether it replaced into in the face. They instinctively choose for eyes. I even have seen a boa make a entire mess of someones face beforehand. As your snake gets larger, i does not take care of it by myself. Mine gets dealt with often and has under no circumstances been a situation after that one incident whether that could be a danger i does not take. they're additionally constrictor's. they does not intentionally choke you yet they "carry on" and via putting it around your neck, that's what it is going to hold directly to.

Answer 4

First..would this be your first snake?
How convenient is it going to be for you to get food for it.
Will you feed it live or frozen?
Do you have appropriate housing for it?
(large enough enclosure, correct equipment for temperature and humidity levels) Lighting...
extra tank for feeding your snake.
A herpetologist or a vet with herp knowledge close by in case of emergancies?
I do reptile rescue and you wouldn't believe how many reptiles espc. redtails that need homes.

For a first snake, I would reccomend a ball python. In my experience, they seem to be more docile than the redtails. Keep in mind the more exotic the snake, usually the more aggressive. Ball pythons usually don't get any longer than 4-5' long.

Please..for the love of Reptiles, do ALOT of research.

Answer 5

LOL, Melissa, if your boa is costing you "hundreds of dollars a month" to feed then you really should buy your feeders somewhere else. Thanks for the laugh!

Answer 6

whoa there im not sure whether a nice red constrictor is a particularly good pet.
off thought are GGOOODDD
keep em coming till you change your mind
cya

Answer 7

well if it your first snake i do not recommend it i would go with a corn snake with has many colors and patterns