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I was wondering if anyone had any experience with keeping one of these snakes? Or even just any info?

Try Google. I'm sure there's loads of info out there.

[span class="edited"][Edited by EdgarFanCLS 2004-08-18 10:38][/span]

Have you firmly decided on that species (Boa constrictor constrictor) or are you just looking for general boa/python info? IMO the Red-Tail (another name for B. constrictor) gets a bit big to be as popular as it is. Cute snakes, sure, but very active (ie can't just sit there with it on your wrist, at least while it's under 4'), get very very big (hard to imagine how big an 8' snake is, but it's BIG), and aren't always trained to take frozen.
May I suggest (sorry if I'm stepping on toes!) a Ball Python? It's much smaller at 4-5' but with a mass that makes them look like a larger snake, so impressive without being unmanageable. And it's a great first snake IMO as it's very easy to handle (pick up, wrap around wrist, walk off! Or if older and larger, around shoulders or arm), easy to find nice captive-bred specimens, healthy, and fairly cheap (piebalds and so on excluded, of course! Hey, anyone want a $50000 snake? Nope, me neither!). The only thing to watch out for is that there are still a lot of wild-caught ones floating about, and many pet stores will happily lie to you about whether theirs are captive-bred or not, or whether they take frozen. Best bet is to find a local breeder - they're everywhere, and happy to fill you in on every aspect of care.

Hope that helped, sorry if it wasn't quite what you wanted. Re: the Boa, I'd with Edgar that Google's the best, and try Reptile Magazine and your local B&N, there are some good snake books out there.

-Molly
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the problem with the ball python is that it will sometimes refuse to eat for months at a time i wouldn't call it a "beginner" snake, but it is a much easier size to handle that's for sure. and red tails can get to be 12-15' long. and as i can tell you from personal experience, DON'T GET ONE if you don't want a 12' snake in your house. because there aren't enough people out there who want a huge snake in their house in the event you find you can't take care of it anymore. and take care of it means more than feeding it every time it needs to eat and changing its water. red tails get VERY BIG and need to be handled somewhat regularly so they won't be afraid of you and try to attack when you go to touch them. there are several reptile forums out there, but i can't find the links to them right now. if i find them i'll post them here for you. but in the meantime, here is my red tail boa from about a year ago. he's grown a full 1.5 feet since this pic was taken:

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

Last I heard in the united states it is illegal to keep a snake over 8' long. So you won't have one 15' running around your house.. it will be in a zoo or killed if it's found out. I know a few people that keep snakes and I know a few that have had them taken away for their size.

lol no worry about it being a problem where i live it would'nt make it far before frezzing

Sure....I have been keeping them for about 22 years now, and currently have 9....what would you like to know? (please feel free to e-mail me directly, either at my personal e-mail or my rescue e-mail)

[span class="edited"][Edited by Toirtis 2004-08-19 02:55][/span]

Last I heard in the united states it is illegal to keep a snake over 8' long

You heard seriously wrong. There are some municipalities, counties, and even states that restrict certain species and sizes of snakes, but no such law on a national basis.

yes, you definitely heard wrong. just in my own community there are 2 suburbs who outlaw *ANY* snake. yet most landlords here in the city don't even consider snakes a "pet" when you move into their places. i guess if snakes were fluffy and a little warmer they would qualify...

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman