Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking at getting a Dumeril's yearling pretty soon, I've cared for several boa's and pythons ranging previous to this, and I'm looking for something with some size. I've read on some sites that Dum's dont get longer than 4 feet and then find a picture of a guy holding a 7' snake, so the first question has to be size; what am I looking at length/weight for males/females?
Personality differences between m/f? Basic questions, pretty much, if you have any advice or information you think a Dumeril's noob should have then I'd greatly appreciate any help.
This will never be a breeding animal, I'm looking for a pet.

Size is pretty variable, with the average being around 6'. I have proven adults at 4' and I have others around 7-8'. If size is a big concern, look at the adults that produced the animal you're looking at. Weight, guessing around 12lbs. I don't generally weigh my adult Dumerils. However, a friend locally just gave me a pair of adult Dumerils that I had to weigh. The female is 42lbs. and over 8' long. Biggest Dumerils I've ever seen in person. No real specialized care, USUALLY pretty calm captives, the younger they are when you purchase them, the more important it will be to ask the breeder how that animal has been kept and especially fed. If you go from a shoebox rack feeder, you may run into problems if you take it home and put it into a 20 gallon tank. Mainly, be picky when you decide to buy one. There are quite a few breeders out there with nice stock, and some with not such nice looking stock. Be selective! If you ask a question and get hesitation on the answers (indicating they didn't produce it, they're just flippin snakes ASAP) move on.

Thanks for the reply
Size is really the first thing I'm looking at for this pet, I'd really like to be in the 7-9' range with a heavy body. Not quite massive red tail sized but a big Dumeril's would be perfect. As far as the range I've described is Dumeril's the right direction, or should I maybe check out some other boa's? Dumeril's are just so dang pretty.

I'd just try to start out with an animal from large adults. You're probably looking more at the 7' range, but usually not quite as "stocky" as a normal boa. I think you'd be happy with a Dumerils, especially as a pet, at any size. That said, you could also look more into the Madagascan ground boas. They're normally larger than the Dumerils, but are very similar looking. The price is a little higher, but reasonable enough that you should be able to save for one in little time. The only other "large" boas that I think are a little outside the norm are Argentine boas. They usually reach the size you like, have good personality, and they're in the same price range. I especially like the T positive albino argentines, but they're still around 1,000 each. Flip through the "other boas" classifieds and check out some of the Madagascan ground boas. There are a few very nice ones available. If you want the look, but a little more size, that's probably a great option for you.

My dumeril is probably close to 6ft. I've never measured her I just kinda guess from her laying in her cage. I don't remember seeing her parents but I got her from a good friend of mine and she told me the parents weren't very big which leads me to believe they were probably smaller than my snake is now.
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Jason

It's completely possible, but usually animals from "bigger" lines, grow bigger than those from "smaller" lines. You also have to factor in cage temps, feeding schedule, prey size, etc. Also "not that big" is a relative term and I don't call my 7' Dumerils big. In a specific Dumerils conversation I'll say they're "bigger" but in terms of pythons/boas, I don't classify them as big. It's just a basis to go from, looking at the parents, that will give you a better idea than looking at a snake in a deli cup at a reptile show. Can the babies become larger or stay smaller? Absolutely!

Thanks for all the info so far, I'm learning yay!

Ground Boas seem to be very similar to the Dumeri's in color and pattern. How do they compare personality wise? Is the price jump from Dumeril's to Ground boa because of the size difference, or is that just supply & demand?

The main difference is supply/demand and although generally larger they have smaller litters of larger babies.

That makes sense, thanks. I got to check out a really nice looking Dumeril's female that a buddy of mine has, I was really expecting a larger animal. She was 5ish feel long and not as heavily bodied as I was thinking, she's only 3 years old though. This snake will be my first "big" snake, or what I'd consider one of the bigger ones anyway, so I find myself being a little extra indecisive lol. However the search for a Dumeril's, or a ground boa goes, I'll be finished building the new enclosure in a few weeks and it'll need filling!