Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sometime in the near future, I'll be looking for an adult BCI about 5 to 6 feet in length. So far I've been cruising around the site and I haven't found anyone that consistently carries adults and I'm not too open to buying from the classifieds. Does anyone know of an online place that usually has a couple in stock? Thanks for the help.

Steve

You might check your local herp society adoption/rescue. There's frequently adult boas that you wouldn't have to pay shipping.

As great as it would be to give a rescued animal a home, wouldn't I have difficulty finding one in good shape? Most at the shelters tend to have parasites galore among other problems. Sure it's a good place to start but I think if it came down to it, I would rather pay shipping for a well-off healthy animal than vet bills to fix a broken one. Has anyone here ever had luck with finding a good tempered, healthy boa from a shelter? Thanks again.

Steve

without trying to offend you, trying to think why you would want an adult, and not a baby that you can raise and learn from.

That's kind of like not having driven or received your license yet, and demanding a Ferrari.

If you get a baby, you will have thousands of more options.. literally, thousands!
You can then raise the animal and learn from your experience.

Within a couple years, you will have what you know to be without any doubt a healthy adult!
NOT an adult-sized 10 month old that may die soon..
NOT an adult loaded with parasites that don't show until well after its death...
NOT a 6 foot animal that is actually 15 years old and has been fed once every 6 months...

See where i'm going with this?

No matter who or what they tell you about that adult, there is no way for you to be sure it is accurate.

No matter what they tell you about that baby once it becomes an adult, you raised it and know for a fact what's what!

Adults are usually treasured, long time pets, or neglected abuse cases. The first will not be sold unless they absolutely have to, and the latter is what you usually find at shelters.

Adults of any degree of quality and reasonable health are prized, especially since they can produce a healthy litter and make the breeder some return on his investment.

It is unlikely to find a perfect adult for sale, and some times, it is only made to look perfect... be careful! Many big breeders will NEVER buy an adult for this reason, and will only raise babies for their breeding stock!

So here are many practical reasons why you may want to reconsider.

Either way, wish you the best!

Take care, Joe Rollo - Bci Joe
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Thanks and take care - Joe Rollo
'Tis not the stongest of the species that will eventually survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change' Charles Darwin

The main reason is the fact that if you can find a well brought up adult, it typically has all its problems worked out. I'm not in any way looking for someones 15 year old pet but just a well cared for 3 or 4 year old. While I have raised my share of hatchling snakes, I'm really interested in working with a potentially larger species such as Columbians and if healthy, already established sub-adults are available, I would rather go that route than sort out any issues that might arise with hatchlings. I'm all about learning and growing with the snake but there's plenty to be learned from a vibrant adult as well. Just wanted to try a different path this time around. Thanks for your comments, I had a feeling that positive experiences with shelter animals were few and far between.

Steve