Boa constrictors, anyone?

[Flaxbee]

Anyone interested in adopting a male boa, 7 yrs old, about 5-6 feet in length? A friend of mine is snake-sitting for a friend of hers (we'll call her friend "Sue") but Sue is a flake and is making noises about abandoning the snake, knowing my friend would care for the boa whether she wanted to or not.

So if anyone here is a fan of snakes and would like one, he'd need at least a 55 gallon tank and someone knowledgeable in the care and feeding of boas - I guess snakes in captivity are really pretty fragile creatures and need very conscientious care (well, all animals do, but snakes are apparently very susceptible to bacterial infections).

I'll try to answer any questions you might have, or email me and I'll get you an answer from my friend.

Thanks!

[RebelOne]

1. At one time, I had 2 boas.

They are good pets. They don't bark or mess on the carpet. But I just couldn't take feeding them live rats anymore. So I gave them to a junior college hands-on environmental center for kids and was able to get a tax deduction.

[Flaxbee]

2. Hey RebelOne - thanks...

you're in Georgia, right? Is the jr. college you gave the snakes to also in GA, and do you know if they'd be interested in another one? My friend lives in NC, right along the NC/GA border ... If you think the college might be interested, could you give me a name and/or contact number?

If not, I'll explore schools in this area. My friend is simply overwhelmed by her life right now (spousal problems, health problems, etc) so I'm trying to do as much investigation for her as possible.

[RebelOne]

3. Sorry, I lived in South Florida at the time

and I donated them to the Miami-Dade Community College Environmental Center. I'm afraid I can't help you as far as any other state colleges. So I guess you should check out schools in your area. There are petting zoos for kids in most states. Maybe if you just Google petting zoos, you could find some leads. I'm sure most of them would take snakes. Keep me posted. I hope you can find a good home for the snake. I love snakes and they are such misunderstood animals because most people have such a fear of them.

[underseasurveyor]

5. Oh you don't have to feed them live food anymore

And besides one really should avoid feeding live prey if at all possible anymore. Now you can buy 'Mice On Ice' or frozen rats from pinky to full grown size. Just thaw, warm and feed. They also make these 'snake sausages' so now one can completely avoid the unpleasant part of owning a snake, feeding whole live/dead rodents.

I had a Savannah Monitor for 12 years and for most of those years I raised my own rodents. That was a chore I tell ya but Clyde was worth it. I got her when she was just a wittle baby girl 6 or so inches tip to tail and when she died she was about 4 foot or so, never did "officially" measure her tip to tip as an adult but she was defiantly a two-hands full, watch out for her claws and even though they tend to very docile even amiable friendly pets you wouldn't ever want to get chomped by one. Not a good pet recommendation for anyone with little kids.

Monitor lizards need to eat 3 to 4 times a week. And yeah it does get harder feeding them the food they require :-(

[underseasurveyor]

4. Google for Herpatology websites and forums

There's a lotta Herp loving folks out there. Might find a good home reasonably close to you that way if all else fails.

I love snakes and if this were 10-15 years ago I'd take him in a second, or if we were closer I'd at least be a great temp home for him until a good permanant home was found. Because yes yes yes providing the correct environment and conditions is vital.
Boas and King snakes are two of my favorites.

But right now I just can't take on full time-long term care of a large beautiful reptile as much as I'd love too. Damn:-(

Tell "Sue" I said she is being a poopyhead :P

[wryter2000]

6. Sigh

I wish. But it's just me, and I can't take care of a big snake.

Ditto to what others said about feeding frozen/thawed food. That's what my corn snakes eat. It's much easier (and less dangerous) for the snake and for the human.

There are some really great herp groups on yahoogroups. You can join one of them for boas and ask if someone can take the snake.