Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, I just got this red tail boa from my local petco. it looks just like all the rest of the red tails i saw there, but with a kinda salmon pink color under the "saddles" and around the mouth a kinda maroon/redish color. Is that normal? Are these snakes known as something besides red tail boas? And how often should I handle it to keep it as docile and pleasent as it is now? also, one more newbish question, how long after eating should I wait to handle it? Thanks in advance.

T and his yet unnamed serpent

Hey T,
More then likely your Boa is a Normal, Imported (farm raised) Colombian Boa Constrictor. Petco (all that is evil in pet stores), does not normally deal with specific Boa morphs or localities, in fact they do not normally deal well with reptiles at all. But they do normally have imported Boas that they sell and some of them are down right pretty too!
As long as the snake was not in their care for too terribly long and you take it to the VET for a check of parasites, it should well.
Feel free to browse my Web page for care, heat, lighting, feeding and caging information on your new pet. I would also recommend that you obtain the book, The Boa Constrictor manual or another short care book. They are about $8-10 in most pet stores.
As far as handling the snake to keep it tame, well that is more a disposition of the animal then it is a handling issue. Most Colombian Boas are docile, but certain times they will be a bit more jumpy. Feeding time with food in the room, shedding time, breeding season are all possible times to get a bite.
I hope this helps some

As far as naming your Boa goes, I would try "Lucky" as the name, because your Boa is lucky to have gotten out from Petco and into your home when he did!
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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

I agree with Hoppy...that boa is lucky that you picked him up and you should DEFINITELY get yourself a copy of the Boa Constrictor Manual. If anything, it'll be a good reference source.

I would recommend not handling your boa for at least 24 to 48 hours after feeding him.

Good luck and enjoy your new pet!

Celia
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Celia Chien

Celia Chien Photography
My Snakes

www.ExoticsByNature.com
www.BallPythonMorphs.com
www.CornsnakeMorphs.com

First, thanks for you responses. Second, I agree that petco is evil, but I bought it from a reptile manager that I KNEW to be excellent in the field. Someone I regularly see about reptile related things. He is the most knowledgeable person I have met in this industry for domestic entertain me, I mean pets Seriously though, I am lucky to have the one petco in the US with a compitant exotic pets manager. Anyway thanks for all the input, do you know the author of the book you mentioned?

T and "Aramis" if it is boy "Aeris" if it is a girl

P.S. Have an appointment with my regular vet next week