Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all!

I just 'inherited' a 'redtail' from a friend of a friend who is going into the army. Now I know many people say (or are told) they have a true redtail and I also know that half of the time this is false. Just wondering if anyone in here knows or can tell or can tell me I am completely wrong about that assumption in the first place on if I actually have a redtail, or a columbian, or basically, what I actually have. I also don't know if it is a male or female or it's true age. I have read full size males can get between 8- 14 feet so on that knowledge I would say I have a female because mine is about 6-8 feet long. The person I got it from has had it for 3 years, so it is at least that old, and he got it from a kindergarden class. It's super tame and very pretty regardless. Look.

Also I have just set up a 100 gal for it with about 6 inches of eco earth, logs, big water container and a 100 watt heat lamp. Just wanted to hear from the experts here if that is all OK!

P.S the kid I got him from had him in a 20 gal. Come on! The snake barely fit in there!

Thanks,
Dan
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1.1 Savannah Monitors (Annah & Terrance)
1.1 Nile Monitor (Lyle)
1.0 Timor Monitor (Timmmmaaayy)
1.0 Blood Python (Kevin)
1.0 Ball Python (Martin)
0.1 Leopard Gecko (Bella)
2.0 Bearded Dragons (Peter & Jack)
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake (Hector)
1.1 Kenyan Sand Boas (Wayne & Maude)
1.0 Dwarf Gecko (Little Girl)
1.0 Curly Hair Tarantula (Pube)
1.0 OBT Usumbara Orange Baboon Tarantula (Sin)
1.0 Emperor Scorpion (Ashoka)
2.0 D. auratus (Poison Dart Frogs)
1.0 Peacock Bass (Gary)

I just re-read my post and realized I goofed it up. I meant I read FEMALES can get 8-14 feet as adults so based on that I think I have a male....
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1.1 Savannah Monitors (Annah & Terrance)
1.1 Nile Monitor (Lyle)
1.0 Timor Monitor (Timmmmaaayy)
1.0 Blood Python (Kevin)
1.0 Ball Python (Martin)
0.1 Leopard Gecko (Bella)
2.0 Bearded Dragons (Peter & Jack)
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake (Hector)
1.1 Kenyan Sand Boas (Wayne & Maude)
1.0 Dwarf Gecko (Little Girl)
1.0 Curly Hair Tarantula (Pube)
1.0 OBT Usumbara Orange Baboon Tarantula (Sin)
1.0 Emperor Scorpion (Ashoka)
2.0 D. auratus (Poison Dart Frogs)
1.0 Peacock Bass (Gary)

I would say Circleback Columbian Redtail Boa.

This is a Colombian type Boa usually considered Bci (Boa constrictor imperator).
Its a very nice looking Colombian Boa with Pastel qualities.
My guess is that this Boa is probably a Female.
I hope you didn't go out and buy the 100 gal tank.
While the size is pretty nice ,it can be a challenge to keep optimal humidity and even temps in an aquarium.
If its free or something you had then no biggy
You and the Boa would be better off using an enclosure designed specifically for Reptiles /Boas
There are 2 good suppliers my favorite is Linked below.
Jeff Ronne The Boaphile builds wonderful enclosures for Snakes and reptiles in general.
I suggest you browse his site
Also I would get rid of the Eco earth and use Aspen,Newspaper,paper towels or corrugated Kraft paper
visit the link below for a nice enclosure and thermostat to keep temps optimal

. . . Lar M
Boaphile Plastics

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Boas By Klevitz
Boas By Klevitz

Hey thanks for the timely advice! Why would you ditch the eco earth... Too much humidity? Also (thankfully) I had the 100 gal laying around uninhibited so that's how he (or she) landed in it. I do a lot of enclosure building, for my monitors and such so maybe I will scope out some boa cage designs and replicate them. Thanks again!

Dan
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1.1 Savannah Monitors (Annah & Terrance)
1.1 Nile Monitor (Lyle)
1.0 Timor Monitor (Timmmmaaayy)
1.0 Blood Python (Kevin)
1.0 Ball Python (Martin)
0.1 Leopard Gecko (Bella)
2.0 Bearded Dragons (Peter & Jack)
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake (Hector)
1.1 Kenyan Sand Boas (Wayne & Maude)
1.0 Dwarf Gecko (Little Girl)
1.0 Curly Hair Tarantula (Pube)
1.0 OBT Usumbara Orange Baboon Tarantula (Sin)
1.0 Emperor Scorpion (Ashoka)
2.0 D. auratus (Poison Dart Frogs)
1.0 Peacock Bass (Gary)

I think Lar was implying Using Plastic caging. Very much better
for the clean up. Wood absorbs. Just a thought. Jeff's Cages
are CHEAP too!!

Yeah those look really nice I may just do that. What would be a suitable size for my snake would you say? Also Lars, what makes you think that it is a female? Just curious, thanks!
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1.1 Savannah Monitors (Annah & Terrance)
1.1 Nile Monitor (Lyle)
1.0 Timor Monitor (Timmmmaaayy)
1.0 Blood Python (Kevin)
1.0 Ball Python (Martin)
0.1 Leopard Gecko (Bella)
2.0 Bearded Dragons (Peter & Jack)
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake (Hector)
1.1 Kenyan Sand Boas (Wayne & Maude)
1.0 Dwarf Gecko (Little Girl)
1.0 Curly Hair Tarantula (Pube)
1.0 OBT Usumbara Orange Baboon Tarantula (Sin)
1.0 Emperor Scorpion (Ashoka)
2.0 D. auratus (Poison Dart Frogs)
1.0 Peacock Bass (Gary)

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Jason Dowell

It is likely a female based on that last pic . Surely a Colombian, and doubtful that she'll get any longer than 8-10 feet.
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Snake room janitor

I can't say I have real experience with Eco earth.
I've heard it said it could promote R.I.

As far as enclosure size I'd say you could go with 421D which is
4' long X 2' Deep and 12" high.
This size is adequate for keeping Adult fems 6-7 feet or even breeding fems etc...
If you would like to give the animal a little more room just because or if you feel she'll reach 8 feet or bigger
The cages "6321D" through 6422H are all possibilities
The "6322D" 6' long X 2' Deep X 17" high are nice plus you can have a shelf installed in these.
Of course the price does increase with these options.

As for the Boa being Fem it has to do with the length (from vent to tip-Shorter for fem) and shape of the tail (thicker for fem)
Male Boas have longer basically thinner looking tails
Really only an educated guess from looking at alot of Boas.
The only way to really know the sex of an Adult Boa is probing it.
That would have to be done by an experienced person.

Also below is a link to some really great info about Boa care
Ultimate Care Guides

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Boas By Klevitz
Boas By Klevitz

Great! Thanks for all for all of the timely advice. I'll look into one of those setups those look pretty nice and are not outrageously expensive.

-Dan
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1.1 Savannah Monitors (Annah & Terrance)
1.1 Nile Monitor (Lyle)
1.0 Timor Monitor (Timmmmaaayy)
1.0 Blood Python (Kevin)
1.0 Ball Python (Martin)
0.1 Leopard Gecko (Bella)
2.0 Bearded Dragons (Peter & Jack)
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake (Hector)
1.1 Kenyan Sand Boas (Wayne & Maude)
1.0 Dwarf Gecko (Little Girl)
1.0 Curly Hair Tarantula (Pube)
1.0 OBT Usumbara Orange Baboon Tarantula (Sin)
1.0 Emperor Scorpion (Ashoka)
2.0 D. auratus (Poison Dart Frogs)
1.0 Peacock Bass (Gary)