ALT:
From the photo of your female hanging below your arm suggests she is at least 2 feet in length (if stretched). The minimum age at which the species attained mature status in the wild is likely to be about 5 years and the average time to maturity is likely to be about 7 - 8 years. I once had a captive born female in which I fed year around until she was mature which I believe was at 4 years of age. She produced a litter the next year when 5 years old. So when you mention your female as being pretty amazing, I would agree.

That she began taking lab mice from the get-go is one amazing aspect as that situation is not the norm for the species. Secondly, you mentioned you obtained her when she was a baby. The term 'baby' is imprecise in that it could mean she was a newborn boa as of the year you obtained her (Oct., 2010), or simply she was of juvenile size when you obtained her so could have been born 2 or 3 years earlier and simply was small at the time of purchase. Did you happen to measure the boa when you first obtained her and if so, what was her length at that time. Do you know her current length?

Also, your first message implies you have a male boa as well. What is his length? The best way to measure these boas is to pin the tail down along a yard or meter stick (tape measure) with one hand and grasp the snake just below the head and stretch firmly until the snake relaxes and record its maximum length.

Last, you mention she grew at a ridiculous rate. By chance, did you happen to keep tabs on her growth over time by taking periodic measurements?

Richard F. Hoyer

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