African Tree Boa?

[JemmaUK]

I went to get some food for my two Corns yesterday and trolling round the town to finally find some nibbles for them - I ended up looking at a snake in one of the local shops

He was labelled as an adult African Tree Boa - big bulbous head with squared off snout - vertical slit eyes with dark green/yellow colouration.

About 10lbs in weight I would estimate and dark in colour with lighter greys - on sale for £85.

Very very strong and very flexible (he folded himself round my fingers @ a 180 degree angle) - but seemed to exist to sit in the water bowl.

Im curious if thats actually what he is because I can find no information on an African form of that snake. Strangely what I can find about similar ones is that they are bitey snakes, but this one was so laid back he was horizontal - loved being handled.

Is this a reasonable price and am I right in thinking they might have mislabeled him? I am horribly tempted although to be honest if it came down to a competition to see whos stronger - the snake would win - and that does worry me a little... Has anyone got any of these?

I got the food and fed mine - they were both ravenous - for the first time ever Bubbles actually struck at the food - he usually just sits there and waits for you to feed him...

 

[bitsy]

I am horribly tempted although to be honest if it came down to a competition to see whos stronger - the snake would win - and that does worry me a little...

See my response on your other thread. But if it is a Tree Boa of any sort, then they don't like being handled, they don't have a Corn's laid-back temperament and have significantly larger teeth than a Corn.

This extract from a care sheet for Emerald Tree Boas:
"They do not tolerate handling, and have large teeth which they are not afraid to use, so use of a snake hook is essential."

Full sheet here:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Emerald-Tree-Boa-Care-Sheet&id=2169363
Sorry I'm not an expert on them so can't comment on accuracy of content, but it looks like the sort of info I was turning up myself a few years ago when researching ATBs.

 

[Tula_Montage]

I replied to this on your other thread...

"The boa you describe sounds like an amazon tree boa. If it is an adult it is most likely WC, and will most likely have a nasty streak. Amazons at the best of times are bitey, every WC specimen I have met has wanted to eat my face. Amazons also require a lot of time and dedication due to their more complex husbandry requirements compared to corn snakes. If it is WC you will need to ask if it has been treated for internal and external parasites. If not, vet visit ahoy to be on the safe side!"

From the other information you present, it still sounds like an amazon tree boa. They come in many colourations. Does this look like the snake you saw?

If so it's an amazon.

They don't typically sit in their waterbowl. I would be concerned that the specimen in question had mites. Soaking is a behaviour associated with a mite infestation.

Since the shop has got the label so wrong (regardless of what it is, there is no such thing as an african tree boa), I am inclined to think it IS wild caught, and therefore if you do decide to purchase you will need to get it vet checked. Ask the shop for more information ie where did it originate, what age is it etc. If they can't answer these simple questions, walk away! You can buy hatchling amazons from as little as £40 from reputable breeders. They come in all sorts of colours so why not research these and see which you like best.

I have a red/orange boy called Devil Worm bred in the UK. I can put you in touch with the breeder if you like. He couriers so there would be no problem in getting it to you.

 

[JemmaUK]

Yup he's an ATB - dark form - a dark green and lighter green combo - much like the colour combination humber used to do known as sage over velvet green.

I checked for mites thoroughly today - and I know why hes sat in his waterbowl - because the air in the place they have him is just tooo dry for him... this I can easily rectify and would do if I got him.

He again was very laid back - although he did hiss at me when I disturbed him, but it was more a I'm here! dont forget I have teeth! thing than any real annoyance. I can see why they have a reputation - but from this one alone I think its a misunderstanding between what is a defensive strike and whats a feeding response. At one point he was about an inch from my face and all he did was just peacefully stare back - but I did manage to get a feeding response out of him twice by putting a finger in line with the heat pits - it wasnt a strike, just a leisurely tongue flick or two - very still - and mouth opened like a cavern waiting for dinner - felt a little bad that I didnt have anything for him . he's captive bred, an '05 and from the shop managers personal collection. he's been in the shop since january - and I hope I can find the money to get him - because I think I have fallen for this one big time for some reason

I would love the information on the breeder you mentioned - I know these are more complicated snakes than the corns - I read up on the breeding cycle for them for example - but I think its the looks - and this ones particular temperament that have gotten me hooked... and yes, I know all snakes arent equal

 

[Hallie]

If the snake is actually green (and not a yellow color like the one that Elle posted), then it is most likely an ETB, not an ATB.

I'd be concerned about the temperament. I haven't been around a lot of ETBs, but I've come in contact with a fair few, and none are quite that laid back. He may be ill. The care is pretty strict for the arboreal snakes, and for the most part, any deviation from the high humidity/strict temps that they require will result, quite quickly, in a sick snake. ATBs are even more cranky, in general, than the ETBs. I have one who is a face biter, always has been. She doesn't get handled without gloves and her head is always kept as far from my body as possible. I don't want those teeth in my face...

Another concern I would have is the price. If it is, in fact, and ETB, the price is quite low (possibly indicating illness and the shop owner just wanting it out of his collection instead of getting it the care it needs), and if it is an ATB, that is quite a high price...just something to think about.

 

[wade]

I think the very first step before you even consider buying this snake is to find out what kind of snake it is. Then you can start to decide what kind of care it may require.