habistatman
New member
What are the advantages/disadvantages of getting a 1 year Hogg Island Boa over a specimen a couple of months.
Kindest regards
Habistatman
Kindest regards
Habistatman
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Boa owners a question if you please.
- Thread starter habistatman
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azhketh
New member
The thing I'd be worried about when getting any kind of snake as an adult, is how it's been treating since birth/hatching. If it's a well-regarded breeder you're purchasing from, I wouldn't be too worried about temperament, as they should tell you if there are any problems.
One good thing about getting an adult though, it's very well started. By one year old it should be feeding and shedding with no trouble.
One good thing about getting an adult though, it's very well started. By one year old it should be feeding and shedding with no trouble.
Irish Eyes (Mrs.Z)
Zookeeper
My HIB is under a year old, so I can't speak from experience, but I can think of one advantage to buying an adult animal: Infant mortality can be high in any species. If it made it to adulthood, it's already got past that scary baby age. The breeder or owner should also have a pretty good clue about its personality and health. If you know and/or trust the breeder or owner, you're good to go. If not, then you won't know until you meet the animal, and perhaps take it for a vet checkup, plus quarantine.
Case in point: The man I bought my Hogg Island from showed me a lovely Lipstick Sunglow Albino that he bred, which came from Tom Burke-bred parent snakes. Since I know of Mr. Burke and his work with that kind of boa, and since I know Michael Beach (the breeder) in person, when he told me how tame the snake was, and how healthy, I took his word for it, even though I hadn't seen the snake, yet. Upon meeting it (it's a '10), although it hadn't been handled except during cleaning and feeding, it was tame and curious. The snake was big, shiny, healthy, and obviously well cared-for. Needless to say, I bought the snake
.
On the other hand, I went and looked at a coral albino boa the same day. The little guy had no history, it was small, dehydrated and skittish, even though it was the same age as the other boa. He didn't have that look or feel of good health, and the owner wasn't the breeder, nor did he know the breeder or any of its history. I did NOT end up buying that snake, preferring, instead, to purchase the sunglow from MB, who I know and trust.
Case in point: The man I bought my Hogg Island from showed me a lovely Lipstick Sunglow Albino that he bred, which came from Tom Burke-bred parent snakes. Since I know of Mr. Burke and his work with that kind of boa, and since I know Michael Beach (the breeder) in person, when he told me how tame the snake was, and how healthy, I took his word for it, even though I hadn't seen the snake, yet. Upon meeting it (it's a '10), although it hadn't been handled except during cleaning and feeding, it was tame and curious. The snake was big, shiny, healthy, and obviously well cared-for. Needless to say, I bought the snake
.On the other hand, I went and looked at a coral albino boa the same day. The little guy had no history, it was small, dehydrated and skittish, even though it was the same age as the other boa. He didn't have that look or feel of good health, and the owner wasn't the breeder, nor did he know the breeder or any of its history. I did NOT end up buying that snake, preferring, instead, to purchase the sunglow from MB, who I know and trust.
habistatman
New member
Thanks very much for the replies, food for thought there, anyone else?.
Kindest regards
Habistatman
Kindest regards
Habistatman
tink
New member
An older Hog island also is (sometimes) more tame and friendly then a younger one. I got a 2 year old Hog Island as my first HIB and he is the sweetest snake ever, on the other hand I have 2 baby Hog Islands (about 6ish months old if that) and while the male is very calm, the female has a definite attitude about her. That might be a difference between babies and adults in general, but thats just my experience.
the nice thing about babies though, is that you can see an awesome color change in them- I've had my babies for only about a month or so, and I'm amazed at how fast they are growing, and how much their color is improving.
hope that helps a bit
the nice thing about babies though, is that you can see an awesome color change in them- I've had my babies for only about a month or so, and I'm amazed at how fast they are growing, and how much their color is improving.
hope that helps a bit
I can't think of any other advantages other than I guess you will have saved a year of feeding bills. And that only really makes sense if you had big plans to breed, because you would be a year closer. All I can really say is HIB's make beautiful and interesting pets. The fact that their colors change with mood, curious nature, and calm mello disposition is really cool. If you check them out to make sure you get a healthy happy one you certainly won't regret it. I certainly love ours.