Cycling Boas...

[mhartmann]

So, I'm curious to know your opinions on whether or not cycling boa constrictors is best for their overall health. For debate purposes, I'm referring to pet boas that aren't in a breeding program, but might be someday. Also, what I mean by cycling is not boas riding bikes, but changing ambient temps, hot spots, lighting, and food offering to replicate summer and winter cycles of the wild.

I'm thinking about starting to cycle my boas (even though i don't intend to breed). I will have summer ambient temps of 85 during the day and 80 at night, with a constant hot spot around 92. I also read that during late summer is when boas feed more, so I might feed my boas more around this time. In November I will gradually (over three weeks) change temps so day ambient is 80 and night 70. The hot spot will be around 84, and maybe will be switched off at night. Feeding would be reduced or stopped. The winter cycle would last around 10 or 11 weeks, before I gradually raise temps back to the summer level (over a 3 week period). Light cycles would coincide with temps and would change from 14hrs of light in the summer to 10 during the winter cycle.

This type of cycling was recommended by Vincent Russo for all boas including neonates in his book "Boas in Captivity." At the same time, this poses concerns, I'm sure, about the health of a boa being exposed to low temperatures, possible regurgitation if fed, or possible regurgitation from being overfed in the late summer. But if done carefully, it's said that boas will grow more, and be healthier, and have better future breeding success if cycled.

What do you all think?