1) Do they have to be started in a small tub?

Mine are still babies , the males is @ 6" the female is @ 8". I have to whip up some 15 qt racks this weekend the coming week so was wondering if they could go into the 15 qt rack that small.

2) Easiest way to switch to F/t?

I've tried the dangle the prey item but they focus on me more than the food.

3) Largest tub size an adult would be comfortable in?

I was thinking 32 qts for females , 15 qts for males.

4) Belly heat or back heat?

Every care sheet I've found says no more than 84 - 85 degrees on the hot end. I know belly heat would likely work better on 32 qt tubs.

5) Earliest age to breed?

I've read two years but I'm used to boas so waiting 3 years isn't anything new.

6) Do they breed by age or by weight?

I'm used to age being more a factor to start considering breeding.

A big thanks prior to Jenea answering.:yessir:

1) Do they have to be started in a small tub?

Mine are still babies , the males is @ 6" the female is @ 8". I have to whip up some 15 qt racks this weekend the coming week so was wondering if they could go into the 15 qt rack that small.

15 qt should be OK as long as you provide ALOT of hiding places. You can use multiple hides, aspen at least and 1" thick, or multiple layers of paper towel that they can get under. Just check and double check that they cannot squeeze out the top.

2) Easiest way to switch to F/t?

I've tried the dangle the prey item but they focus on me more than the food.

That is a hard one since I don't feed mine live. See if this vid might help. It is one of the methods I use for those that need movement. Gentle bumps to the snout gets their attention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoamDV3qAMQ

3) Largest tub size an adult would be comfortable in?

I was thinking 32 qts for females , 15 qts for males.

That is what I keep my females in, and my bigger males.

4) Belly heat or back heat?

Every care sheet I've found says no more than 84 - 85 degrees on the hot end. I know belly heat would likely work better on 32 qt tubs.

Belly heat is what I prefer. My basking for the westerns is 90. They really like it a bit hotter than the avg colubrid. For the babies, make sure you use shallow water bowls. They are not to good at finding the water unless they crawl thru it.

5) Earliest age to breed?

I've read two years but I'm used to boas so waiting 3 years isn't anything new.

6) Do they breed by age or by weight?

I'm used to age being more a factor to start considering breeding.

I am combining the the answers to 5 and 6, because it is kinda both. I have 2 females that are several years old that stay between 200 and 250g regardless of how much I feed them. I have two other girls that are both over 400g. My opinion is 2 years if they are under 300g. If you get a female that is 15 mths old and over 300g (without being powerfed) then she is good to go. In the wild, they are going to breed as soon as they are ready regardless of age. If you want larger clutches then let your female get bigger. The biggest thing you need to know is your animal. They are each different, with different rates of growth.

A big thanks prior to Jenea answering.:yessir:


Your welcome! :)

Thanks again.

What is a typical feeding schedule you use for the babies your raising up? My male will eat every 7 - 10 days but my female is always hungry and is growing very fast. I'm not sure if I'm power feeding but she gets something every 4 - 5 days that isn't quite leaving a visible lump.

I feed once a week. I think that is typical, my girls want to eat more than the boys as well.

My male is OK with that but my girl might start getting serious attitude if I held out on her , LOL.

Excellent questions, and answers. Thanks Bryon and Jenea, answered some of the questions I've had but hadn't asked. Not to get my little one eating FT!

Excellent questions, and answers. Thanks Bryon and Jenea, answered some of the questions I've had but hadn't asked. Not to get my little one eating FT!

Just trying to learn myself , LOL. I'm hooked enough on these bulldogs of a snake that I really want to see my colony grow and thrive. Glad you got something out of it bro.

I agree. Lots of good info here. Thanks Bry for asking and thanks Jenea for answering! This answers most of the basic questions a person could have about getting started. You guys rock! :rockon:

Good info...:yourock:

Good info...:yourock:

What he said.

Thanks Bry and Jenea. Good stuff there.

Awesome info on hoggies :yessir: Thanks for sharing and asking =)

Yep very nice Q&A and I really liked how Jenea reposted with her answers in a different color.