Large enough to breed?

[Torin]

I've got a boa that is 3yrs 4mo old. She is about 6 feet long and weighs about 13 pounds. Is that too small to safely breed? Other than that, she seems to be in perfect health. No obvious parasites, and has a good feeding response. She eats a rodentpro sized XXXLarge rat every two weeks.

[brownsfan222]

i think that the ideal size for boas is closer to 7 feet and 20 lbs. but i dont breed boas so i dont know for sure

[JuliusSqueezer]

It depends on the subspecies. If she's BCC or Mexican orColombian BCI, she needs to pack on a few more pounds. If she's Hog Island, Corn Island, Sonoran, Central American or any of the smaller subspecies, she may be ready. The fact that she is a "boa" leaves little to really go on.

	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.

	Hog Island Boa hogg

[Torin]

Originally Posted by JuliusSqueezer

It depends on the subspecies. If she's BCC or Mexican orColombian BCI, she needs to pack on a few more pounds. If she's Hog Island, Corn Island, Sonoran, Central American or any of the smaller subspecies, she may be ready. The fact that she is a "boa" leaves little to really go on.

BCI. I'd post some photos, but my ISP is down. As soon as it is back up, I'll post the links.

	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.

	Hog Island Boa hogg

[JuliusSqueezer]

I'm assuming Colombian? lol...most of the others I mentioned were BCI as well. Different locales of BCI reach sexual maturity at different sizes and also have varying growth potential...which was my original point. If she's Colombian, I'd try to put another 5-10 pounds on her. I have had 10 pound Colombians drop litters on me before and they did ok but it takes a toll on them and they look pretty rough after they drop.

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

[Torin]

Yep, Colombian. Sorry, was heading out from work. My ISP seems to be down still. Since she is albino, it is a little hard to tell for sure, but the pattern looks classic BCI.

I just went ahead and attached a couple of pics.

I was feeling like she was undersized for breeding, compared to my other BCI who is about 7-8' long and is about 20 pounds.

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

[brownsfan222]

maybe you could breed your other BCI for a first try since she is big enough so that when you get to breed her you will have a little experience under you belt

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

[ssscales]

I'd give her another year to grow and fill out some more, just to be safe.

[Torin]

Originally Posted by ssscales

I'd give her another year to grow and fill out some more, just to be safe.

That is what I'm leaning towards right now. I'm going to call my friend in AZ that I've made breeding arrangments with and let him know she isn't quite ready yet.

Thanks for the help everybody.