BCI Growth Tate - conflicting numbers

TrpnBils · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2005, 09:29 PM

My boa's history is basically unknown to me. The guy I got her off of said that the person he got her from (about 2 weeks earlier) said she was 4 years old. She's about 6'6" and not too thin.

Melissa Kaplan's caresheet says this:

Quote:

That cute little 2 ounce, 14-22" hatchling laying cupped in the palm of your hand will increase its size by up to 300% in its first year, reaching 5-6 feet during that time. The following year will add another 3-4 feet to its length, as well as several pounds.

Now that's got me wondering. Is she too small if she actually is 4 years old? What is a normal growth rate anyway?

Dbutton · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-2005, 09:56 PM

Well yes, you could stuff your snake 2-3 times a week and get it up to 5ft. in one year. But in reality you would be cutting years off of it's life. An average 1yr. old boa is about 36". That is with a steady diet of reasonable size once a week at first and moving towards once every 2 weeks after about 8 months. Some people like to feed once a week for the first 1-2 years, but with a reasonable amount of food.
SO in the end I would have to say that at 4 years of age your boa is about the right size. If it is a common columbian BCI it is only going to reach 7-9ft at total adult size anyway.

David

TrpnBils · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2005, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dbutton

Well yes, you could stuff your snake 2-3 times a week and get it up to 5ft. in one year. But in reality you would be cutting years off of it's life. An average 1yr. old boa is about 36". That is with a steady diet of reasonable size once a week at first and moving towards once every 2 weeks after about 8 months. Some people like to feed once a week for the first 1-2 years, but with a reasonable amount of food.

Good to hear. I've heard different things about her and her caresheets, and as of right now the negative is far outweighing the positive.

And while we're on the topic of feeding schedules. When I got her, she was on 2 adult rats every 7 days so I've kept that going. Even our 9ft male at the zoo only gets 1 adult/week and he's doing fine. Other people have suggested maybe 1 jumbo each week instead for mine. Now you're mentioning only feeding every 2 weeks after they're 8 months old.

Sooo.... Should I keep her on 2 adults/week, change to 1 jumbo/week, feed every 2 weeks, etc??? I've been finding a lot of conflicting advice on this too, even so much as to say these snakes NEED a rabbit every week (I know that's not a good idea).

Dbutton · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2005, 01:19 AM

At that age and size I would be giving her 2 jumbo rats every 2 weeks. Everyone has their own husbandry ways and I am by no means saying that mine is the best or only way. It is just the way that I do it.

David

jjmetro · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2005, 07:08 AM

I'd say one Item, app sized every 10-14 days. but I'm not saying dbutton is wrong. like he said, everyone has their own ways. but more than one item can get them overfull and cause regurge. if your willing to take that chance. not saying it will happen, but it is more likely.

RioBravoReptiles · #6 (**permalink**) 11-04-2005, 03:35 PM

Melissa Kaplan emerged as the on-line Diva of care info at a time when there was little else readily available. She provided some solid info, particularly as regards the importance of cleanliness and other basic practice. People and animals have profited from it.

It is pertinant to note however, those care sheets higlight her clinical experience, research and writing skills (and education) more than long-term direct experience with animals such as Boa constrictor ssp.. much is missing from those sheets and there is some down-right mis-information in there as well. As an example using her math and data our Boas can be expected to grow from 20 inches to 10 foot-long monsters in 2 seasons..

Now we know this to be a virtual impossibility even if we were to attempt such a goal by grossly overfeeding our captive. But the availability and dissemination of such a tale goes beyond a subject for debate (or humour).. Has your community (or state) passed laws against the keeping of Boas or trade in Boas? Perhaps someone in your area who has the ear of your elected officials is also a fan of Melissa Kaplan.

To directly answer your question about size and feeding.. I recommend you follow the advice given to start slow and feed conservatively.. it is a practical impossibility to seriously underfeed a healthy Boa in an appropriate, stable environment.. many people overfeed theirs.

Good luck with your Boa

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