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I never said I was going to BRED BREED my boa I just maybe want to try it a few years down the line for experience....Also know body answersed my questions except size...I asked about breeding and if she would always go off feed if I bred her once.....growth rate how fast they grow and which grows fastest and largest....thanks
Mike
ps: i didnt ocme here to get critizised Ive read for months I know what I am doing Ive had Burms and balls before

I guess I will have to read the other posts, but I for one was not being critical. I was only trying to explain, which is what I thought you wanted.

The website I asked you to go to explains about breeding and what to expect as well. I figured most of your questions could be answered there by someone with a lot of knowledge.

As far as going off feed, it is individual. I've had some females refuse food from introduction of the male through delivery, some ate all the way through (though I fed smaller rats). Some, may have a hard time coming back into feed mode afterwards, there is no way to know for sure what will happen. Plus, even if not bred, a boa may go off feed during breeding season, that too is individual, according to each boas's own body chemistry.

Growth rate is very individual too. You might be better buying one that is already 5-6 feet, or larger if you want. The average boa is about 3-3.5 feet as a yearling, about 4-5 feet at 2 years, and 6 by 3 years. However, this is just a general guideline, some individuals grow much faster, even if fed the same way. BCI (columbians, etc.) tend to grow faster than BCC (suri/guy/etc.. But, it would not be healthy for the boa to reach say 6 feet by the time they are a year. That could lead to serious health conditions, even if they willing hogged down all that food. Like humans, some will eat themselves to death.

I would suggest a Columbian type boa, as they are the easiet to grow out, and a female if you want one that should get larger. But, again, growth rate is very individual. If you want to be sure you are getting an animal that will get larger, then go ahead and purchase an adult the size you want. Otherwise, there are no guarantees, no matter what species of boa you get.

I wish I could help you more. Perhaps others will have more insight. If I forgot any of your questions, I apologize, I cannot see what you have written from here.

Good luck.
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Delusions of Grandeur feed the EGO...

Not a lot of experience with various BCI (Boa Constrictor Imperator), but I do currently have 8 of them (7 purchased within the last year)

The other one is a long time pet, I bought her in October of 1989 as a hatchling. She is a sweet, tame, rather large girl. Now between 10 and 11 feet in length, approaching 17 years old.

She was never power fed, but she still grew fast, after a year she was 3 plus feet long and after two years she was 5 feet long. Still continued to grow and is now getting up there in age.

Never been bred and has also never gone "off" feed for any extended period of time. She has from time to time refused food as all snakes will, maybe just wasn't in the mood to eat, watching her girlish figure.

If you plan on keeping one as a pet and want it large, AKA 10 foot, you will still be chancing it with whatever you get, most just don't get that large.

Like others have posted, breeding can be risky to the health of your animal(s). Only to be attempted if you are willing to accept that risk. I've been breeding BRB's (Brazilian Rainbow Boa) for years and while it is very rewarding to find that pile-o-slime with all the babies poking their heads out of the yolk sack, it is also devestating to find the pile of slugs. Or worse pile of deformed babies and the worst (hasn't happened to me yet....knock on wood) the female dead. That is a decision only you can make.

Only thing I can add is:

1. ASK THE QUESTIONs.
2. Weigh the answers, everyone has their own opinion.
3. Don't take the responses personally, most are not intending to be rude or to criticize, but we can all be short and also not phrase our answers such that it's understood by all.

one more thing.....pics......we all love to look at them

you'll need cages, my brb cage:

If you breed, you'll need racks for hatchling tubs, here's my recently built racks, more for a bit larger than hatchlings.

some various BCI morph pics, sorry but I don't have one of my 17 year old online:

some BRB pics:

I told you dialup beware LOL

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Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
2.1 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Why don't you just get a nice baby boa and take proper care of it for a change!!! If it gets huge great, if not who cares. You will be just as happy with a 7 foot boa as you would be with a 10 footer. Just take proper care of it and the rest will come.

Since you feel that you have been criticized, might I critique you....

You would be much more accepted if you would slow down and type your thoughts out in a way that we could understand. Spelling and punctuation, unfortunately, play a huge part about how you are portrayed in the virtual world.

I would suggest, do your research, ask your questions, don't be offended when someone in the industry disagrees or suggests other things, and above all have fun and enjoy what ever animal you finally decide on.

As far as my experienced with breeding and going off feed:
probably 90% of my breeding females do not go off feed, I believe that they would probably eat all the way up to parturition. It is I who determines when they fast. The males, on the other hand, seem to have a seasonality built in and affects their feeding during breeding season at a very early age.

Good luck and remember Have fun they are just snakes,
Bob McPhee