Just a few Qs

[Jowex]

Hi
Im really new to this website, but i way cooler than i tough it would be.
Anyway Im looking to buy a BCI colubian red tail boa, but i need to convince my mum that its not going to massarcre everyone in the family. I tried to tell her that most captive bredwere easy to be tamed but shes not listening to me, thats why I need your help!!!
If anyone can just write in and explain that their really cool and reativly harmlees reptiles please do.
Also when I do get round her which I will, Can anyone give me a guideline on what i need to watch out for when purchasing a red tail boa.

Cheers
Tom

p.s. When you take the frozen mice and rats etc out of the freezer how do you prepare them after that and do you feed them in their vivarium or have a separate vivarium for them to eat in?
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	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

[zero_point_one]

First of all, welcome to the site. My first snake was a Guyana RTB five months ago. I had simply fallen in love with him.

I strongly recommend going to the FAQ forum and starting from the last page. You should be able to find plenty of information about RTBs there. I also recommend looking at the caresheets. They will provide you with a good deal of information and some websites to visit. It's all provided here on this site.

I can't help you with the guidelines for buying a RTB, mine was by instinct. I started handling him and knew that I had to take him home.

Good luck. I know that I didn't answer your questions personally, but I know you'll be about to find out everything you've ever wanted to know about RTBs just by browsing this site.
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[RevMojo]

Excellent...good to see someone doing the research before they buy the snake..

Welcome to RTB!

As far as what to look for when you buy it, avoid stores with signs that say Petco. You're probably better off, both in price and quality, buying from a private breeder. The only disadvantage is that sometimes you only get to see pix and not the animal itself. There are several reliable breeders on site, and most will be willing to provide references. Should you decide to buy from a store or herp show, here's some basic things to look for:

Cleanliness: Not only of the snake in queestion, but it's cage, and the other cages near by. Clean cages indicate that the store is taking good care of its animals and you're less likely to have a health problem

The snake itself: Hold the snake before you buy it. It should be fairly active when held, with good tongue action. Check to see that it has no lumps in it's body. Check its belly for scale rot (you'll find pix as you look through the FAQ section I'm sure) and make sure the vent is clean. Ask the store or breeder if they have feeding records for this particular snake. If not, ask to see the snake feed.

As far as feeding goes, most of us do feed in a seperate container. Usually a plastic tote. It's not a bad idea to put some newspaper down in it, as bodily fluids will occasionally be squeezed out. As far as defrosting rats or mice, a lot of people say just to put the frozen rat or mouse into hot water until heated through. Throwing frozen meat into hot water to defrost was a no-no at every kitchen I've ever worked in, so I usually defrost mine overnite in the fridge (I see no reason to treat her meat any different than I would my own).

Hope this helps out. As 0.1 suggested, check back through the FAQ forum, and even the Help Me section.
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	Female Female

[Dr.Oviparous]

Welcome to RTB!

also, when purchasing a snake, just ask the person a whole lot of questions about it (to which you will know the answers because you found them here at RTB [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] ) ask them about stuff like size, diet, enclosure setup, a person selling snakes should know all this stuff, and much more. so if they don't know about the snake, don't buy one from them.

BCI (columbian redtail boa) have a great reputation for being one of the calmer, low stress, good eating great temperment snakes. in my expierience BCI is a great choice for the beginner (as long as they are aware of the size of the full grown snake, and can provide an enclosure big enough for it). in general BCI are curious snakes that usually aren't on the offensive, and won't just strike out and try to bite for no reason. of course there are those BCI that are like this, but for the most part they don't have the reputation. don't worry mom, you will learn to love this snake too [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] -Juggalo
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	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

Well no one has asked and I didn't see a note to such.. Soo.. How old are you exactly anyway ? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]
As for the RTb.. Like all have said here. Just look through the site and you will find tons of info on the snake you are looking to obtain. ALSO.. GREAT choice to get your info prior to obtaining one also !! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] So many people just go out and get one then they haven't the first clue on how to properly take care of it at all and wind up with problems with the snake.
As for your mother and allowing the snake.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> If anyone can just write in and explain that their really cool and reativly harmlees reptiles please do.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll say that they are cool...BUT is that the reason that you want one even ? If so.. then your looking to get the snake for all the wrong reasobns then. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] As for the harmless thing.... hmmm.. a lot of that is going to depend on the owner in fact. Most problems that are associated with large boids, such as the RTB are due to owner mistakes and errors. Although I haven't heard of any real problems associated with an RTB, there have been some that were associated with other large boids. The key to safe keeping is really going to rely on &quot;you&quot; as the owner of the snake and exactly what you do or do not do around and with it. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]
Are you prepared to handle a large boid yourself at all ? Do you have any experience with large boids..or any other reptiles for that matter even ? Do you have someone living with you that is willing and can assist in handling a large boid at all ? That's something you should never do alone once they get to be a large snake btw.
Unlike JUg.. I do not beleive that a RTb is a good choice for a &quot;youngster&quot; to get as a first snake.

When your ready.. make sure to get one from a reputable breeder I would say also.
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[Eric From Cincinnati]

I'll second what Lori said. How dangerous a snake is is usually most affected by it's owner. I like to compare snakes to dogs when people ask this. &quot;Does it bite&quot;. No not usually but it can...#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& your dog can bite you. If you handle your snake regularly(no jokes here please), it will be tame. If you don't it will be more likely to bite you. Compared to a dog, in this respect they are the same. A dog that is with people every day isn't going to bite under most circumstances. A dog in a pen in the back yard that never gets human contact is more likely to bite someone that sticks there hand through the fence. Your snake isn't gonna love you like your dog but they will be very tame and tolerant if you treat them with respect and constantly demonstrate to them they are in no danger in your hands. Also in regard to your mom, I highly reccomend not getting a snake without her blessing, however, my mom warmed up to them quickly when I made her hold one at the pet store when I was 13. People fear snakes because they don't understand them. With knowledge of their habits and frequent interaction with them, fear vanishes. Your mom probably thinks it's going to strangle you or your sister or whoever. I always hear that. &quot;Doesn't he try to strangle you?&quot; Heck no he doesn't. He's capable of it but isn't your puppy capable of ripping your throat out.
I don't know maybe I'm beating a dead horse here and your mom hates dogs too but I'm willing to bet if you tell her that the animal is important to you, and break your neck educating her on Snakes, she'll let you have one. Good luck and props to you for learning before getting a snake.


Eric
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[XzyluM]

I also agree with Lori. Very good point. If you are young and just getting into the snake hobby go for something like a Ball Python or a Children's Python.
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