Argentine & Dumerils Boa\'s

[ReptileJr]

Hi I was wondering if someone could help me out. I was thinking about purchasing a baby Argentine Boa or ether a Dumerils Boa and I wanted to know a little about the two snakes before buying. I also want to know the experiences that people have had with these snakes. I want to know is it hard or easy to care for these snakes and what the temperament of these snake and how big they get.

Thanks


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[JC86]

Hey-ya Junior, welcome to RTB!


Well, here's some info outta my Boa Book for ya...


Argentine Boa-
Length: 7-9 feet
Can be aggressive, like to show the gaping mouth defensive posture (but usually just a bluff and goes away with handling)
It's the southern most species of Boa Constrictor, so temps may need to be just a little bit cooler than with say a BCI

Personally I think they look awsome and want one some day, but I don't have one now.


Dumeril's Boa
Old world boa
Length: 6-7 feet
Doesn't say anything about temper but I've heard they are pretty good

Nice lookin' snake, if size matters this would be a better choice than the Argentina one. Anywho hope that was a little helpful, I'm sure that current owners of this type of snake'll jump on this evening


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

First off...


WELCOME TO REDTAILBOA.NET!!!

Now as for your questions...First thing would be ..
What is your experience with snakes at this point ? Have you had experience with any of the large boids at all? If not, then try one of the smaller ones to start out with like a ball python or a hogg boa.

As for the Dumerils Boa... They are known for having a good temperament, they grow to about the 7-9' range, and are very slooow growers in their size. They also have been known to exhibit canabalistic tendencies towards other snakes nad therefore should not be housed with any other snake under any circumstances. They love to burrow in the substrate and are ambush type hunters. They are good feeders and eat well in captivity usually. Their husbandry is similar to that of a BCI, differing with they should be kept at a slightly higher humidity.

The Argentine Boa....They are known for not having such a great temperament, they extend well above 9' at adult size. They are definately not a snake for a beginner, so to say. Feeding problems with them are pretty much non-existant. Their husbandry os similar to that of a BCI.

Anything else ya need to know on either one ?

_________________
LORI

Admin of RTB

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

[captainmorgan]

Hey Lori, how big is well over 9'????
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[ReptileJr]

Hi I have had pythons before but not boas. I have had a few Ball pythons they are boring. And I have had larger snakes to I had a African Rock Python that grew 9 feet in length. I just wanted to experience having something new. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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[ReptileJr]

Hi thanks for the information. Do you know of any more information on the 2 snakes or do you know of any good web sites I can go to for more information on the two snakes.

Thanks
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[talon]

I personally like the looks of argentine boas are beautiful! (not to mention i think mine might have some argentine blood in them) [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]. But i have see some real nice beefy looking dumerils before.
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[beccah]

hey ReptileJr,
I know a few people who keep Dum's that would argue them to be the best boa in the world...lol..
I have heard they have great personalities and believe them to be a good candidate for a first time 'larger snake'
I'm definitely no pro ,but I know that they do require a bit higher humidity, than,say bci, and will have definite probs shedding if not kept moist enough.(esp then)
There are some people that breed some very nice pink dumerils,if that tickles you at all,which are quite nice to look at.
whatever you choose...make SURE you go to a reputable breeder!
if youre in need of names,sites...Im sure some of the dum /argie owners on this site would be obliged to help you get in touch with a good breeder...

************************
I personally keep argentines,on the other hand,and am quite partial to them [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
They are awesome!..what else can I say?
no,Im not being biased..am I?..hehehe [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
The info folks here have given you so far is all true,basically.
They get pretty darn big...Alot of argentine onwers DO own 10 foot females...
(* keep in mind though, female dums can get quite beefy and large as well!*)
Babies tend to be hissy,but as stated..its usually a bluff and once picked up, will calm right down.If youre not used to it,It can be somewhat intimidating i suppose...lol
When babies are born,they are silverish, sometimes with pink highlights,which usually fades by about one year old,when they begin to go through a slight color change.They begin to darken up and by the time they are two,should have their adult colors completely in.
As with the Dums...there are a handful of breeders who try to breed for the pink coloration,and have argentines that retain the pink into adulthood.
I like the pink argies alot...but NOTHING beats an 8 foot BLACK and WHITE bco!!!!!!!!!
Absolutely stunning,to say the least.[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
One of the possible cons to owning argies,is that some neonates and juveniles tend to have sensitive stomachs,and can sometimes be known for regurgitating meals.
People who have had no problems with theirs will argue this though,and say that the probs they have are from mistakes in husbandry(fluctuating temps,etc)
I personally think its both...and therefore make sure that their hot spot NEVER gets above 90 degrees,and cool end never gets below 78...
I do believe that young argentines have some sensitivity to hairy meals(hopper& ad mice)just like some true redtails do,and therefore give my argies RAT pinks when neonates and fuzzies when older,and offer on a 10-12 day schedule,rather than every 5-7 days.
This method is working great for me,and many others who keep Bco.
To avoid temp fluctuations,Id suggest using a quality thermostat,rather than a dimmer or rheostat if you decide on a baby argie.That way you can be sure the temps stay the same throughout the day/night.(you can worry about cooling when its an adult,IF you decide to breed)
I hope I didnt bombard you here!
I think youve made good choices in the two ,and urge you to look on the net even more for info,before you make your decision

Do you still want caresheets?:P ....
I have a few that I need to find in my bookmarks,& Ill get them posted later on for you...In the meantime,maybe someone else has some links to a couple.

I hope this was some help to you!
Good luck with everything,and do let us know what you decide to get!

Beccah~


Ps..here are my three argentines



[addsig]

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

[Dr.Oviparous]

make sure you do go to a ggod breeder. www.classicdums.com has a lot of good info on dumeril boas, personally, I love dums, they are an excellent choice. make sure you do go with a reputable breeder, classicdums goes over the inbreeding problem better, but be aware that that this species has been extencivly inbred for years now because of the inportation laws in madagascar. -Juggalo
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[softkiss]

I have two four year old Argentine Boas and they are relatively great in nature. My female weighs about seventy pounds and my male weighs about sixty pounds. They actually are very good natured and a pain in the butt in as they love to see what I'm doing in their habitat all the time and always have to have their noses into what I'm doing. I've never been stricken by them but they do have likes and dislikes and we have a good communication between us.
I have pictures posted of my cages in my gallery and the snakes will separate automatically when they want to feed cause I have a trap door between the two levels and once they are done feeding I open the trap door and they join on the same level again.
When their bottom level is messed up (POOP) they will both go up to the top level and lay around with their heads extended down and watch me clean up the cage and when I get done they come back down,
I love my Boas. I have issues taking them out because of their size so I use a large nylon duffle bag with a zipper and take them out one at a time. I open the cage door and one will come out and curl up in the bag and I transport the bag to my bed and when I unzip it, the snake comes out and hangs out. They are a pain to restrict though when they really want to go somewhere in the house or make up their mind that they want to do something.
I've only had one problem with my Argentine Boas. If I'm standing in front of their cage and someone walks up to the cage beside me they will strike the wire. If the person walks off or I do they calm down. I've come to the conclusion that they consider me a part of their domain and they protect me within their own rights. This is the only time they strike at anyone. However, if they are in their hide box or on their heating pad in their hide box with it turned on I approach them with caution cause they really don't use the pad unless they are getting ready to shed and they are very uncomfortable prior to shedding since their eyes are covered with a film and this makes them insecure since their vision isn't that great anyway. This is the only time that I really approach them with great caution.
At least ten times a day I walk by the cage and get their attention or just scrape my fingers along the cage wire. They come over to me and I reach in and make contact with them many times a day. It is important to keep human contact with them. Mine are so spoiled that sometimes they both try to soak in their soaking tray in the cage and they will wrestle all over and throw water all over me and the house. They have had a few personal arguments betwen the two of them, but no blood shed.
They are snakes, however and they are only aggressive naturally when threatened or surprised so I'm not ever going to rule out the possibility that someday I probably will feel the rath of Grumpy or Nosey. It's inevitable cause not everyone has a good day everyday.
I wouldn't sell my snakes for a fortune. They even play with my ball python, Jingerfish.
If you need anymore information, please feel free to contact me. softkiss@verizon.net

[Blood Boa]

dumerils all the way