Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I, like a lot of folks, occasionally advertise one year old to sub-adult Boas that I think are as exceptional as the current year's crop of newborns. I think it's hard to move older animals, however. I notice that a lot of amarali and Brazilian Red Tails born this year are moving pretty quickly at fairly high prices, while many yearlings and older snakes (including the ones in the photos here) are re-advertised weekly at cheaper prices.
It seems to me that an older animal, already established and closer to sexual maturity, would be more valuable than a youngster.
Perhaps it's like adopting a child...most folks want an infant rather than an older child...? Do folks want the experience of raising a Boa from birth to maturity? Or am I simply deluded and the snakes here and on the classifieds are really not all that special?
No big deal, but figured it would be interesting to hear thoughts on this.
Oddly enough, after taking new photos of these snakes, I've decided I'm glad they didn't move...hopefully they'll reproduce in a couple of years.
All the best-
Jim Lineberger

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There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom 8:1

#1 reason , is you get to watch them grow and develope, the first year or two is always the best. It's great to watch your silver or white colored little snake blossom in to a golden, pink, or (insert color here) beautiful muscular sub adult . I think that's half the fun.

but in addition to the pure joy or raising your own, I think it is also a matter of you know the complete history from birth on for that snake. With yearlings or subadults, you don't really know what the previous owner/keeper actually did in raising it or if it truly has ever been ill or had any other problems. If the snake is going to be a pet, rather than part of a breeding project that may or may not be handled, it's even more important to get one as young as possible. Those snakes I've raised from babies are docile and easy to handle and as predictable as any of these animals can be. However, those that I have purchased that were older are less predictable and not quite as calm as those I've raised. A couple of my large boas that I purchased as adults simply do not like to be handled and I need several more arms & hands to handle them compared to those I've owned their whole lives.

As an aside, I don't typically purchase my snakes online, though I have purchased a couple of them that way, but instead go to the local shows. Typically there, neonates are more reasonably priced than yearlings or juveniles. That's not to say there aren't exceptions, but that's the general rule from what I've seen.

Just my .01
Raven

She said it clear. That is exactly why I buy babies over adults.

I love watching them grow and change. I feel much more comfortable around the adults I've had since "babyhood". They know me and I know them pretty well. The babies I have produced here and raised, are totally unafraid of me. I call them my legless puppies. They have become curious and friendly because I have handled them from day one. I can open the door to their enclosures and they will crawl right out onto my shoulders without hesitation. It is quite a comparison to others I have bought, who are still more shy and fearful months later.
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Linda Hedgpeth
lindafh@frontiernet.net
Sierra Serpents

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away"

It certainly is a neat experience to raise a Boa from birth to adulthood. I guess my agenda has changed somewhat, and I am a lot more likely to buy older Boas who seem to be good potential breeders. There are some INCREDIBLE newborns out there, but my thinking is, "It'll be four to five years before I can breed that snake." Perhaps my mid-life crisis is working too much control over me, but I'm not too sure I'll be here in 5 years...just kidding..?
Anyhow, thanks very much for the responses!
The photo here is a Surinam female-- seven and a half feet---from Ben Siegel.
Enjoy this day-
Jim

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There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom 8:1

Sometimes it is a WAY better value to purchase the yearlings.
I do love to watch the babies grow , but have watched them "color-up" , only to have a breeder friend offer me a KILLER deal on a morph that I "HAVE" to have & sell the awesome baby when it's a yearling, RELUCTANTLY, to raise the aforementioned funds.
It's still docile & PRETTY ! ! !
I simply need to move the little darling ! ...
To aquire the new family member...
that somehow , I 'think" I gotta have. JG