These are some of the newest creatures on the planet. Some of the Bay Islands have existed for only 5,000 years. They are even newer biomes than the Mojave Desert.
I had a Boid Bias for many years, believing that their kin simply grew too large, were too primitive and lacked personality. Last spring, I learned about the Childrens python group, and briefly kept a Spotted Python. Last December, I began researching boas. For some reason, I was suddenly drawn to them, although I already had two snakes, and generally prefer to keep only one.
The more I learned of the Dwarf varieties, and of user comments online, I became intrigued, especially by comments like: “My favorite animal, not just snake”. “If I could only have one snake, it would be a boa” (he has kept 26 species of snakes). I researched more and decided to get a Boa, swapping him for my hatchling Russian Rat snake that eats only tiny mice pinkies.
I placed a Craig’s List advertisement to encourage a rehoming situation for a neglected pet, rather than buying a new snake from a pet store. It took much time, and I visited various locations to view some available snakes. My original quest was for a Costa Rican, then for a Sonoran, but both needed to be shipped and were small. I finally *scored* by finding a local, adult Hog Island boa.
Now I understand the special passion shown by Boa & Python fans. My boa is very active & curious, and placid as expected, but he’s also amazingly cooperative. The tug-of-war required to remove most snakes from a perch doesn’t usually occur with him. When I persist in pick-up or putting him back into his vivarium, he complies, often assisting slowly with his movements. Over a month later, I’m still having “Wow!” moments.
Ameron
Portland/Vancouver
1.0 Boa constrictor imperator (Hog Island)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus (Miami)
1.0 Agrionemys horsfieldii kazakhstanica
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