Question: Breeder or Pet????

I want everones opinion on whether it is a good idea to have a "Breeder" boa as a pet also, pet meaning taking the Boa out on a regular basis. Thanks.

[kasper22]

I handle mine all the time and have had no problems with them breeding. The first boa that I ever bought had a litter last year. I handle her all the time, and after having her babies she didn't even try to bite me when I took her out of the cage.

Thats great kasper22, just what I wanted to hear. Thanks for the reply.

[2ND_ALARM]

I agree with Kasper22 same here.

[Bushbaby]

Ditto!!!!

This is a relief for me as well. I was thinking one of the reasons the "big time" breeders don't handle theirs was because they make better breeders.
One would think that a boa who gets to come out of their cage regularly would be happier and more willing to breed.

It makes me think of a story I read about bears. There was a zoo with bears that would not reproduce. One day someone threw a bottle in their cage. The bears started to play with the bottle and fight over it, so they gave the bears more "toys". The bears started to mate. Apparently, they need stimulation and joy to breed.

Maybe pets make better breeders?

jason

Thanks for the posts everyone. I would like to have a great breeder and a pet, I do agree with the bear story. If your happy, then nature will take its course.

[dberes]

I was thinking one of the reasons the "big time" breeders don't handle theirs was because they make better breeders.


I think the main reason why the big time breeders don't free handle their boas (if thats the right term for it) is that they have so many and so little time to do so. Cleaning cages, updating website, answering phones, building cages, breeding rodents, and more blah blah blah. Plus when you think about how many animals they probably have as a permanent residence at their facility.... Could be 50 to 400+ ::) depending on what they are breeding. I handle most of my animals often outside of the usual cage cleaning etc... Main reason is that I don't have many reptiles and so I can give more time to each one. But as I add to my collection, the free handling time will slowly deminish.

As for do "pets" make better breeders? Its quite possible. I really don't know how to tell whether a snake is happy or not. Mainly, because they have one of the best pokers faces known to man. ;D Anyways.... Enough of my blabbering.

Have a nice day all!

[kasper22]

I agree with dberes comletely. I use to handle each boa at least once a day, but now with my new job, website, dogs, wife and life in general I tend to only take them out when I need to clean. I find myself bleeding a lot more these days for some reason? :-[

[Bushbaby]

I guess I have been lucky then. I also only get time to handle my boas when I clean, but they have stayed pretty placid all along. My breeders I have now seperated, and try not to disturb them too much while I am preparing them for breeding. I still use the males though when I do talks.

[prncslar03]

I would assume that a snake is "happy" as long as it is eating, pooping, shedding, and being a snake. We make ourselves happy by surrounding ourselves with these gorgeous animals, and get the pleasure of watching them do what they do. I have a snake that gets stressed out if she is not handled on a regular basis and makes it abundantly clear that she want s out of her cage if ive been busy or gone for the weekend. She will get up to the top of he cage and grab you as soon as you get a hand in to pick her up, and as you try to put her back, she runs up your arm. Hopefully, as i become more and more knowledgeable, I will be able to use her in shows to help edjucate others about the beauty and amazement of these animals. I agree with the bear story as well, i mean hey, humans have to be happy USUALLy to breed as well right?

~Lauren