Rtb, Constrictor Imperator

[david31337]

My new snake. He's called Columbo. After a load of research I decided I could house this massive snake, built him a custom viv. He's really good to handle(only bit me once). They are very docile, I would reccomend one of these to any who has the space and money to get one, you won't regret it!!

 

[Elmolax]

Very nice snake indeed!
I've been eyeing one at a local pet shop that's around 70-100$
I just need to get that $$ and I'm all set XD

 

[Nick_schembri]

Its unbelievable how cheap boas are in the US compared to here in Malta. Here you need about four times that price for a boa.

 

[Bry]

That's partly because boas are very popular here, so the breeding of this species is pretty widespread throughout the country.

 

[Ravenbear]

We have to rtb's, our male is appox 6 ft or so and our female about 7. Been awhile since I measured them. They are the most doclie snake we have ever had. Is till have scars where my retic got me.

Good luck with your boa.. :clap:

 

[Jmadson13]

I think he's a beautiful snake but would recommend taking him off of the turf. Some of the bacterial infections and rubbing that result is a nightmare.

 

[CreepyCrawly]

I think he's a beautiful snake but would recommend taking him off of the turf. Some of the bacterial infections and rubbing that result is a nightmare.

I agree. They seem to enjoy having a loose substrate that they can plow around in, like bark, or even just plain old soil.

 

[Beardo]

I try to stay away from loose substrates at all costs. Newspaper is much more efficient.

 

[Bry]

I agree. They seem to enjoy having a loose substrate that they can plow around in, like bark, or even just plain old soil.

Soil? You know what...I'm not even going to touch that one.

 

[CreepyCrawly]

Why may I ask do you dislike loose substrate? I don't feed my reptiles in their cages, they eat in feeding tubs, so I don't have to worry about impaction. My rainbow boas especially love their loose bedding and will bury their heads in it and will cruise around their cage and then all of a sudden pop their head straight up out of the substrate. I have fallen in love with crushed walnut, which is in use with my ball pythons, redtail boas, rainbow boas, and beardies. Never had any problems with it molding or anything, and it clumps and scoops easily like cat litter, which makes cleanup (especially when doing spot cleaning daily) a breeze.

 

[Beardo]

I dislike loose substrates because they are an unecessary pain in the rear for me. I don't have the time nor the extra enclosures to feed snakes in anything other than their living quarters. I also don't like having to worry about any impaction that may occur from ingesting loose substrate. Newspaper is much cheaper and easier to clean than loose substrates.

That crushed walnut you are using is going to get you in trouble with your Ball Pythons and Rainbow Boas. That stuff is very dusty and molds easily. Ball Pythons and Rainbow Boas require higher than normal humidity and walnut shells are not the way to maintain proper humidity.

 

[nightbreed]

Ok, I'm not good with latin names (well with snakes anyway ) so help me out here, is a red tail a Boa constrictor imperator or a Boa constrictor constrictor? I've been told both and read both on various websites, please settle this once and for all

Thanks

P.S I only use loose substrate for my baby Hognose and thats only because he doesn't seem to settle unless he can bury himself. Everyone else gets newspaper

 

[Beardo]

Ther term "Red-Tail Boa" is merely a pet store contrived term used to make the snake sound cooler. In reality, Boa constrictor imperators don't have red tails...sometimes as babies they do, but not as adults. The "true Red-Tails" are the Boas from Guyana, Peru, Suriname, etc...they are Boa constrictor constrictor.

 

[nightbreed]

Thanks, that was what I'd heard but a few websites and other sources were saying otherwise, so I didn't know what to believe

 

[david31337]

Ther term "Red-Tail Boa" is merely a pet store contrived term used to make the snake sound cooler. In reality, Boa constrictor imperators don't have red tails...sometimes as babies they do, but not as adults. The "true Red-Tails" are the Boas from Guyana, Peru, Suriname, etc...they are Boa constrictor constrictor.

Thats intresting.
RTB
At the top of the page it says they are CONSTRICTOR IMPERATOR. I know that RTB is just a way of not scaring people with the name common Boa. Is there any way to tell if you have a Ture RTB or a Boa constrictor constrictor?
Thanks

 

[David_F]

Is there any way to tell if you have a Ture RTB or a Boa constrictor constrictor?
Thanks

I like this site for reading about the differences in different species/sub-species of Boas.