Argentine boas???

strutter769 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 06:06 PM

Anyone have any experience wiht Argentines? Perhaps the most beautiful of the boas, (IMO) Would love to have one but I had a bad experience. I purchased a baby from the Lee Watson Swap a few years back and this thing was MEAN as can be!! It would hiss and strike at the glass anytime anyone would even walk by the cage! I couldn't get it to eat, I couldn't get it to come out of hiding most times, and forget handling it! Also, I'm curious as to their size when full grown? Along the same lines, I've seen some incredible looking peruvians and was under the impression they stayed relatively small? Around 5-6 feet? I think I've now read on this site that that is nowhere near accurate. Any info???
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Ed_r · #2 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 06:16 PM

Argies an be nippy as babies, For once i have to say its not a problem of getting it at the swap. They do calm down with age.

Peruvians can get frickin Huge!!! They grow slower but get larger.
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strutter769 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 06:24 PM

Really? So the answer here is kinda "deal with it, you're gonna get bit a few times"? Now I may be one of the few and I hate to jinx myself but in the 5-6 years I've had Lucy she han't even threatened to strike. I'm not sure I could handle that to be honest. Okay, I'm a wuss and don't ever want to be bitten!! How large to Argies get on average?
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Ed_r · #4 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 06:44 PM

Similar to a BCI 7-8' is not uncommon. Trust me its more of a shock that it happened more than any actual pain. Plus as a baby it may just barely break the skin. Better to take a bite when they are little than when they are adults. Still doesn't hurt, just does usually draw blood. It's going to sound bad but, their teeth are so sharp and needle thin that you don't feel them entering your skin.
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Bry · #5 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 07:25 PM

LdyDrgn is one of the members who has an argentine boa, and from the sound of it, he's a very docile snake. I have heard the same things about Argies being aggressive, but to tell you the truth, every Argie I've come across was quite tame and very handleable. The "worst" I've seen was a very flighty one, but not necessarily a biter. Either I've been lucky to come across tame ones, or their reputation is undeserved. As for Peruvians, there is a picture floating around somewhere of a man being held by a large Peruvian. I think Tom was the one who had the pic, if he sees this, maybe he'll post it.

Bry
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Ed_r · #6 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 07:57 PM

The post with the Peruvian pics is Here
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trinitywolf · #7 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 08:46 PM

I have never owned an argentine mostly b/c every adult I have ever seen was HUGE! I took a tour of Ophiological Services in Jacksonville, FL. and their argentine boas were 9-12 ft...EASY. I don't know a lot about their temprements in general b/c I have only handled a few. Every one I have ever dealt with has been nippy at best save the one that Ldydrgn owns. He is an abolute sweetheart!
I would say this: If you are considering an argenine and don't think that you can stand to get bitten, don't buy a snake. I know that sounds harsh, but snakes bite. It's a fact...the cat's out of the bag...LOL If you own one...your gonna get bitten eventually. When you buy the animal you make a commitment to care for it, even if it bites you. There are ways around the fear of being bitten. You can wear gloves and long sleeves, but you need to be prepared for the eventuality that you will be bitten. I hate to be a kill joy...but I hope that I have helped.
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LdyDrgn · #8 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 10:23 PM

Yes, Argentines are one of the largest subpecies of the boa constrictors (if not the largest). Not only do they reach 9-12 feet, but they are heavier bodied than the others. My Argie male is about the same length of one my bci males, but the Argie clearly outweighs him! I have read that boas generally do not grow to their full potential in captivity. I can only imagine how large a wild female might be if this is true [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

Temperament.... I have heard all the stories about their nasty attitudes. When I first got mine he would hiss like there was no tomorrow and do little 'fake strikes'. More often than not, it is ALL bluff! Once in the hands, he calms down. Set him down for one second, go to touch him again and he starts hissing again, LMAO. I told him to shut up and grabbed him. When they are young like that, if they do manage to make contact, the bite isn't too bad. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] I placed my Argie in a very nicely decorated tank. It had a LOT of hiding places, things to climb and 2 water bowls so he would never have to go far for a drink. He calmed down immediately and has been the sweetest since. Even when he is in full blue, I can reach in and pet his head without worrying about being bitten. The only time he hisses now is if I walk by his enclosure after feeding and he is still swallowing his rat! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] It is quite possible that you just had a really nervous baby. That can happen with ANY species of snake.
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strutter769 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-11-2003, 05:38 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I know I'll get bitten one day. Lucy has gotten ahold of my roommate in the past. LOL I wasn't here and he tried to get her outta the cage. He didn't know what he was doing, she didn't know who he was and WHACK!! I really wish I could've seen that one!! Anyway, LdyDrgn, you wouldn't happen to have any pics of your big argie would ya? That'd be great to see. I've never seen one "all growed up"lol. Also, since I'm so concerned about an enclosure, I'd be interested to see what his home looks like. Anyone have any pics of a full grown argie?
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Bry · #10 (**permalink**) 06-11-2003, 09:32 PM

I don't think LdyDrgn's argie is full-grown. Last I heard, he was around 4-5 feet not too long ago.

Here's a large adult Argie, courtesy of Tom McCarthy Boas. The snake isn't his though.

I found a pic of an albino Argie from the same site. Pretty interesting looking snake.

Bry
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LdyDrgn · #11 (**permalink**) 06-11-2003, 10:36 PM

Apophis shed a couple of nights ago. His measurement from his last shed was 5'2". He measures 5'5.6" long now, 8" girth and weighs in the area of 7-8 pounds. He is 2 yrs old and still has growing to do. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

Here is the pic I used to measure:

You can see the rest of his album here.

Isn't he the sexiest beast you ever did see??? Out of all the snakes in our collection, he is easily my favorite, my pride and joy. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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SteveP · #12 (**permalink**) 06-11-2003, 10:57 PM

Man, I sure do like the dark and speckled boas...he is a looker Michelle! If you ever decide to get Apophis a girlfriend and produce little ones...let me know! I bet as dark as he is the iridescence on him is screamer in person!
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captainmorgan · #13 (**permalink**) 06-11-2003, 10:57 PM

Well, I also own an argentine. He's my favorite of all my snakes and still my baby. Maybe foot and a half to two feet. All snakes are different. But for mine as a baby, it would hiss and strike like thunder. I'll admit it was intimidating. Here's a pic...

But as time went on and after careful handling, I've never been bitten. By any snake. All I do, while he's hissing, is place a warm face cloth over him and then pick him up. I did that for like a year. Even in my hands I had to be careful. Just have to respect them. They will strike, they will bite. But they will also bluff a lot too. Now I can pick him up and have no troubles. Well, when he's eating I better leave him the #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& alone, he gets super grumpy then. But hey, he or she is my favorite.

Here's another pic for you. This was taken by lori when she was watching him for me.

Don't get discouraged. It will be well worth the investment. And yeah, you'll have to "deal with it" just for a little while. But it will get better!!!!
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