I'm planning on getting a male red tail boa, preferably a Suriname red tail. I want to start with a baby. I'm used to ball pythons. I've never had a snake that exceeds 10 feet, but I've done a lot of research and soul searching and I think I'm ready for the challenge.

Does anyone have any advice for a soon to be beginer boa keeper? Or any comments on your experiances with the species? Thanks,

Alexis

Try anf dind an experienced person near you. Hands on experience and being able to talk to them is irreplaceable IMO.

 Since you are planning to get a male the chances it will reach let alone exceed 10' are next to zero. (Largest male I've ever seen was pushing 9', with most topping out in the 7' range).  With that said, it definitely is a good idea regardless to try and gain some hands on experience with larger animals then you are use to. Also keep in mind you will have the benefit of working with the animal as it grows to its adult size over the many years that it will take, this on its own will give you plenty of experience.

Randysherps wrote:  Since you are planning to get a male the chances it will reach let alone exceed 10' are next to zero. (Largest male I've ever seen was pushing 9', with most topping out in the 7' range).  With that said, it definitely is a good idea regardless to try and gain some hands on experience with larger animals then you are use to. Also keep in mind you will have the benefit of working with the animal as it grows to its adult size over the many years that it will take, this on its own will give you plenty of experience.

Yeah that's why I wanted a male and wanted to start with a baby. I'm hoping I'll gain a lot of experiance with raising him.

Yeah, even my big female isn't 10 feet! Chances are that even if you got an adult female, you'd be able to handle it just fine if you have any snake experience at all. So getting a male, it won't be difficult at all. As long as you're familiar with snake care and have the room, you don't have anything to worry about. They grow kinda slow, too, so you'd have a long time to get used to him while he's growing. As long as they are CB, used to people and all, they're actually pretty easy to handle. I just got an adult female not long ago(my first boa), and she's extremely easy to keep and handle! She's probably stronger than me, but her laid-back attitude and laziness more than make up for that, lol. Even my mom, who claims to be terrified of snakes, will go open her age and "pet" her from time to time. You're making an excellent snake choice, you'll really enjoy him :)

burms and retics acceed 10 feet and if you raise from a baby they are great anmails

Suris are so beautiful, I plan on getting on myself. You should check out Barry Miller's line of surinames, they are unreal! Here is a link millerreptiles.com . Surinames do get larger than the BCIs like the Columbians, so just make double sure that you are prepared to handle, feed, and house a snake that can grow to 9 ft. 

 

hiya, good luck with your new baby, i have corns and a royal python and will be fetching my baby boa on thursday this week..I too am looking forward to the challenge of bigger snake.   He is a bit snappy at minute at the store where i am getting him, i have been visiting him for weeks but staff say he is getting better and obviously they dont have the time to put in with him.  gorgeous snakes when grown ..you will have to let me know how its going with your new one when you get it.

Suriname's are quite big boa's so be ready for that.  As baby's I've seen a few be hissy and stuff like that but I guess they grow out of it.  I would use a rubber maid/sterolite tub for it if you are talking about getting a baby. My salmon and colombian red tail are both in tubs.  My colombian is almost six foot long he will end up in something like a boaphile when I get more money.  The salmon ever since I put her in a tub she has been eating a lot better.

I would research the regurg stuff on the Suriname too.  I think that is the pucking snake not sure though.

Suri's are DA BOMB! feed them small meals more often (5-7 days) rather than a large one every 7-10 days until they break 4 feet, then you can feed away and it will rarely break 8 feet, or at least not for 5 years or more, by then the progression of growth is girth not length and you will be well accostomed to the demands of the animal..dont allow anyone to discourage you from what has to be the only locality "designer" boa, have you seen how RED their tails can be?? if you havent gotten yours yet i have one you'll love, ill post a classified for it when you say the word!! GOODSPEED!