Dumerils care

[ann0306]

My husband and I have been thinking of getting a Dumerils Boa- anyone have any advice, etc. to share? How are they to handle? We've done all the research and have snakes already, we're just looking for some input based on experience. Thanks!

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[schmelkdog]

you crack me up honey. I was just getting ready to put one of these up. See ya after work!!

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[ann0306]

It doesn't help if you're the only one that replies!

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[schmelkdog]

yeah, well it's me again. Anyone here ever deal with http://www.earths-exotics.com / ? They're one dealer at least that looks like they'll be at the white plains show this weekend carrying Dumerils. Anyone who has had good or bad experiences I'd love to hear it, thanks!

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[JuliusSqueezer]

Dumerils break a few rules as babies but tend to normalize after about a year or so.

1- The rule is with most snakes to not feed on loose substrate. Unfortunatly baby dumerils almost always require hunting by burrowing down with just their little nose poking out so they can ambush their dinner as it walks by...witch leads to number 2

2- Never feed live...Yah they break that too USUALLY. Sometimes you can get lucky and get a baby Dumeril that will eat a f/t pink rat in a feed tote...but usually not. For new borns, a live pink rat once a week for about 3-4 feedings in the cage on the loose substrate is a fool proof way to get them feeding right away. In the wild they are lizard eating babies...and almost always cannibalistic especially for the first year or two. Try not to give in to their desire to eat lizards...parasites and switching them to rodents later is always a headache best avoided.

3- Because they WILL eat each other even if they are the same size...NEVER house dumerils together or with any other snake that you don't want to be eaten.

We had a case here not long ago...someone I gave a baby colombian boa to was moving and put a baby boa in a tote with a young (2 or so year old) Dumeril and ended up with one less snake as a result.

Once they have eaten a few meals for you, start offering f/t. Once they eat a f/t meal for you...then start feeding them out of the cage so they dont eat the mulch.

If you are considering keeping them on carpet or newspaper or paper towels are something....please don't. They are by nature a burrowing snake and it's just mean to take that away from them. You do not need a hide...just plenty of good loose substrate like cypress mulch, aspen etc...of course no cedar...

Also do not bother trying to feed them from tongs...they have horrible aim and lash out in no particular direction when offered food. Most will continue to hiss and strike at you until you leave the room and let them eat in peace. I feed mine last on feding day ..just toss a rat in ...laugh at all the wild strikes and then leave for an hour.

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[schmelkdog]

thanks for weighing in,,,that does go against the usual rules. Hopefully if we pick one up this weekend we can pick up some live pinks too. I read some old posts about one biting a boa,,,no problem there as he/she we'll have it's own home. Thanks again for the advice!

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[JuliusSqueezer]

If you find an established one feeding on f/t in a feed tote...your life will be much easier.

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	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[lethargiic]

hmm food for thought...
that helps concidering ive been wanting this breeding trio for ages from our local breeder friend...2 beautiful females and 1 male..full grown and man they are soooooooooo sweet.. the male was a lil flighty but one of the females i held like to stick her tail where i didn't belong..someone said she really musta likes me.. haha

never knew dums liked to burrow..i'll hafta keep this info in mind when i get a dum

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[JuliusSqueezer]

Even with adults, It's a good indicator of when they are hungry. All of a sudden your dum cage will appear totally empty..then if you look around a bit, you will see a little nose poking out of the substrate. I don't suggest you stick your hand too close to that spot lol. But yah, they not only like to burrow, in most cases they "need" to borrow or you will never get them stress free and feeding.

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[ann0306]

How are they to handle? Do they become accustomed to it, or do they remain nervous?

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[JuliusSqueezer]

They tame up pretty well but are allert and will lash out with a strike if aggitated. Don't go waving a finger in front of them if you want to keep it in tact. As far as general handling goes, they are usually quite docile animals. They may be a little combative about leaving the cage but that's typical with snakes anyway. What you have to understand is, they can't process thoughts the way we do or even close. All they know is that they are in a happy place and are not being bothered. Any change that they don't control is uncertain to them and they would prefer to be left alone. Once you pick them up and let them anchor and they regain security, then they are happy again and may become combative about being placed back in the very spot that they felt secure in moments earlier. They don't seem to really have much in the way of even short term memory. This theory is also the reason that I believe prekilled or frozen thawed prey should never be a major issue with any snake. I don't believe they have the mental capacity to know they didn't kill the rat themselves anyway and just forgot It's like...oh duhh food...I must have killed that earlier ...slurp.

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[Stormyva]

Dumerils really are a "different breed" as Julius has already covered very well.... if you are going to get a baby be prepared for a challenge until it's at least 9 months or older. Once past the difficult baby age they are great snakes and take to handling pretty well. If you are looking for a snake that you can just hang out with and take out for long periods of time then sitck with the BCI.

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

[ann0306]

Well, we ended up picking up a beautiful '03 female Dumeril. She's eating (well, so they say-we'll see in a few days) f/t rat pups and is quite comfortable with handling. We'll get the pics up as soon as we get them downloaded. Thanks for all the words of wisdom!

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	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[schmelkdog]

Well here is the cutie that my wife (ann0306) picked out. It's an '03 Dumeril that she picked up at White Plains, NY. She's driving the boys around so asked me to post em for her. Sorry if they're a bit fuzzy but one never know's, maybe Santa will bring me a new camera!!!!!!!
She seems to be settling in very well. Explored the cage for a bit and then under the corkbark and now burrowed and feeling all safe and secure.

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[StevenLeeAugust]

My Dumerils strangles the dead rat for up to 2 hourssometimes, no kidding. I timed it.

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[JuliusSqueezer]

OK...The prize for psycho boa while feeding has moved from Dumerils to Brazilian rainbow boa! One of mine latched on to my birdy finger last night and wrapped. Her top front teeth sunk in under my fingernail and the bottom jaw caught the side of my finger...it took me over 5 minutes to get it off me and I bled like a stuck pig. Every effort I made caused her to chomp down deeper under my nail and it hurt...bad lol. No dumeril, despite all their effort has ever caused me to vocalize profanity near as bad as that little 3 foot brb did last night lol...no amazon has ever lit me up like that either...Anyone know a number to a good taxidermist? lol

[stckinlodi]

send her this way lol

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[ssscales]

Dumerils are great, I hope to be a proud daddy again next year. My four could not be more docile, never even a hiss. Never refused a meal, great feeding response. Average size is 6-7FT (very thick), but can in rare cases get up to 9FT. Keep in mind they grow slower than your BCI's. Babies can be picky eaters, but usually come around.
Good luck with yours, I know you will enjoy him.

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

[ann0306]

Thanks- that's good to hear! She's settling in great. We'll feed her over the weekend and see how that goes. By the way, your dumerils are beautiful!

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[Reptile_Breeder8989]

I am 15 years old and breed dumerils boa's, they are nice boa's, one of my female breeders is 7ft long and pregnant. She is very nice and caring she doesn't bite... ever. All i feed her is live rabbits or giant rats. i have no idea why he said don't feed it live but hes FULL OF #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&...

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