Suriname vs. Colombian

[MTB Mamba]

I really like the appearance of the Surinames more than that of the colombians. From what i have seen the Surinames sell for more. What is the reasoning for that, are they more rare, is it just because of the better look they have...? Also what is the difference in temperment of a suriname vs. redtail. Just curious to hear from those with more experience. As many know and i have made clear many times here i will be purchasing a RTB soon and am tryin to decide between the two in question here. Any info/advice would be appreciated
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[LdyDrgn]

This question has been answered a few times. If you scroll through this particular forum or do a search...you will find your answers. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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[morti]

I reccomend going with a Colombian over a suri. The easy reason is because the colombian will not (as a general rule) get as big. The suris are prettier, but they can be a bit nippier and they are definately less forgiving of husbandry errors. There is also the overwhelming factor of up-front cost. A colombian BCI will cost substantially less than a suri.

That is just my $0.02 worth. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

-Your Sick Uncle Morti.
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	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

	Suriname Redtail Boa Red Tail Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor constrictor) from the locale of Suriname. Considered to be a "True" Red Tail.

[JuliusSqueezer]

Yah...what morti touched on...husbandry...Surinames and other BCC are more prone to regurge from stress, overfeeding, temp/humidity problems...any number of things...they are also a bit more high strung by nature and really should not be considered by an inexperienced keeper. Columbians are much more forgiving and easier to handle. Columbian BCI are an ideal 1st large snake IMO.
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	Boa Constrictor Constrictor Red Tail Boa Constrictor (Boa constictor constrictor). Refers to "true" red tail boas such as the Guyana and Suriname locales.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

	In My Opinon IMO = In My Opinion and IMHO = In My Honest Opinion

[jpaulson]

Yeah, I agree with morti and julius....although they seem to have a more pronounced pattern and color, especially in the tail, they usually cost twice what a Columbian will. You can usually pick up a Columbian for around $100 to $130 in my area....a Suri will run you $225 to $275. They do require more strict husbandry care, and they do tend to be a bit nippy. I have had Columbians for years, then a few months ago thought about attaining a suriname. When I picked her up, she hissed, similar to a burm when picking up. Although she never struck at me, she had "the look" in her eyes. Thinking that that was an isolated case, I went to other pet stores, and found similar responses. What do you have now? Although you are new to the site, we don't know what your experience is. But, definitely not a first time snake.
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	Suriname Redtail Boa Red Tail Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor constrictor) from the locale of Suriname. Considered to be a "True" Red Tail.

[JuliusSqueezer]

Those are baby Suriname prices BTW...try and find a breedable sized Suri for that. They usually run anywhere from 500-1000 depending on the snake.
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	Suriname Redtail Boa Red Tail Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor constrictor) from the locale of Suriname. Considered to be a "True" Red Tail.

[Blackwidow_woman]

[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img] Ive got a argentine columbian cross, hes got beautiful color and pattern and lots of pink, hes doing very well ,grownin like crazy, eats really well but man can he be a real bluffer sometimes, hiss and puff himself up..But he has never bittin me or struck at me and hes real easy to handle..I have no probs with him at all. I paid $140.00 for him. Ive seen some nice plain columbians that are light color with really nice dark saddles. A buddy of mine has 2 one 4ft. and one 5ft.. they are sweet and easy going..He got both his for under $170.00 each at the size they are now.. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]

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[MTB Mamba]

To answer the previous question from jpaulson71, currently i have nothing, i sold my snakes when i moved to portugal for two years and am now back and buying again, here to stay too so thats even better. I had a ball and two kings before i left. From what i have read here i will be goin with a colombian for sure, its just the appearance of the suriname that tempted me, but my husbandry etc.. is really rusty so colombian it is.

Thanks to all
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[SteveP]

For your first snake I'd recommend the Columbian, like the others have suggested. That being said my favorite boa is my Suriname, named Jatropha. I haven't found him any more nippy than any other boas or pythons I've had, but I do keep very close tabs on his environmental conditions, feeding, etc., in other words...more care, and less room for error!

By the way I checked out Kasch's Kritters yesterday. The shop itself isn't in too bad of shape and at least it's devoted to reptiles. Like you said in another thread, the owner, Bruce Kasch, will talk your ear off, which for beginners is a good thing. In my discussion with him I was disappointed in one thing though. He is very much in favor of feeding live rodents, or fresh killed, to his snakes...claiming that fresher is more nutritious. IMO, unless the mice or rats are sitting in the freezer for months on end the amount of nutrition lost to freezing is minimal. Frozen rodents are not typically "processed", other than put to sleep, prior to freezing. So, as you will see throughout numerous threads on this site, get your boa on frozen/thawed rodents as quickly as possible

Aside from that, what I could "see" in the way of animals looked healthy. If you do decide to get a boa from there, pick his brain for information about it. He claims to prefer to get his animals from local breeders, so see if you can find out who the breeder is of the animal you choose and get as much of it's history as possible. This will help in foundation information for your record keeping. He seems honest enough, but I only met him yesterday! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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	In My Opinon IMO = In My Opinion and IMHO = In My Honest Opinion

[jpaulson]

Sorry Sopure, after making that post I remembered your other posts, about being out of the country and all....yes, you have had snakes. Sorry, I had a brain fart.

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[MTB Mamba]

Steve: Thanks for the info, he is one heck of a talker isnt he? He didnt try to sell ya the 3+ft. rescue RTB he has there did he? Thats all he would talk to me about! If i buy from him i'll definitely do as you said, thanks again.

JPaulson: Don't worry about it, better to be over cautious than under i say. I'm definitely rusty like i said so i'll be goin colombian on this purchase.

I'll keep ya'll updated
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[SteveP]

It's kinda curious, he didn't even mention the 3 ft. rtb, and I remember you talking about it before, so I had anticipated him bringing it up. I was kinda throwing some pointed questions at the guy and I'm sure he figured I knew at least a little about snakes and wanted to evaluate his responses.

Anyway, no matter where you get your snake look it over carefully and try to get as healthy looking one as possible. And don't let anyone "push" an animal on you...get what YOU want. A healthy boa is going to live for many years, so you'll want to invest that time in what you are going to be most happy with.

Good luck! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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[jsp]

Get what makes you happy I have two bcc and one bci/bcc cross. Bcc is so much nicer. If worried about size get a male. Don't over feed! Their are plenty of bcc that stay small due to not over feed. Like others mention they will start lookingfor food when they get hungry. Don't buy a bci when you want a bcc. Just do your research and take care of him.

	Boa Constrictor Constrictor Red Tail Boa Constrictor (Boa constictor constrictor). Refers to "true" red tail boas such as the Guyana and Suriname locales.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

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[morti]

Originally Posted by jsp

Get what makes you happy I have two bcc and one bci/bcc cross. Bcc is so much nicer. If worried about size get a male. Don't over feed! Their are plenty of bcc that stay small due to not over feed. Like others mention they will start lookingfor food when they get hungry. Don't buy a bci when you want a bcc. Just do your research and take care of him.

This thread is from 2002. MTB Mamba has sold all of his snakes and is now getting back into them. Every time you bring a thread back from the dead, morti cries a little tear.

	Boa Constrictor Constrictor Red Tail Boa Constrictor (Boa constictor constrictor). Refers to "true" red tail boas such as the Guyana and Suriname locales.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

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[Stigma]

Wow thats the oldest revival I think I have ever seen.

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[morti]

Just to give you some idea:

LdyDrgn had just moved here (and I mean Just!). We were married 8 months later.

Toker hadn't even joined RTB yet. Telefrag, RevMojo, BWSmith, and myself are the only current members of the staff who were around.

I had only experienced 2 (I think) boa births at that time.

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[96Blacksunshine]

Zombie thread needs BRAINS!!

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[jsp]

Originally Posted by morti

This thread is from 2002. MTB Mamba has sold all of his snakes and is now getting back into them. Every time you bring a thread back from the dead, morti cries a little tear.

Wow how did find this thread? Lol I was wondering why it said page 272. Holy cow. Hahaha. I feel stupid.

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[ChrisGilbert]

I'm going against the grain here, but if you like Surinames more, get what you like! You will be happier in the end that you did. As long as it is captive bred, and you spend the money for the proper setup, then you should not have any problems.

A number of my breeder friends are big BCC nutts, and they have adult female Surinames and Guyanan boas that are smaller than my Costa Rican and Panamanian females. Size is a result of genetics and environment, how much and how often it is fed. Generally speaking BCC do have a potential to grow larger, but such is not always the case. Most adult Suriname females I know of are just 6ft.

Why settle for a Colombian if you really want the Suri? All that will happen is in a year or two you'll want to sell it to get the Suri. And a normal Colombian, especially older, is not easy to sell.

Regarding price, Surinames are MUCH harder to breed than Colombians, and there are tens of thousands of Colombian boas imported every year. Both factor into the price disparity.

	Boa Constrictor Constrictor Red Tail Boa Constrictor (Boa constictor constrictor). Refers to "true" red tail boas such as the Guyana and Suriname locales.

	Suriname Redtail Boa Red Tail Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor constrictor) from the locale of Suriname. Considered to be a "True" Red Tail.

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[Eric From Cincinnati]

I think you folks are missing that this post is 8 years old.

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