OWNING A BOA CONSTRICTOR: An Interview With BigReese
77Brownie: Baby Red Tail Boa Constrictor
Owning a Boa Constrictor: An Interview With BigReese
While thinking about a snake as an ideal pet, research indicates that some planning, preparation and thought should go into the purchase. An easy way to prepare is to talk to someone who is a long time snake owner. So, I decided to interview BigReese.
BigReese has owned and cared for snakes going back more than 20 years. He has raised giant boa constrictors, baby boa constrictors, and pythons. Recently, he and his wife acquired a baby red tail boa constrictor (see photos below).
I interviewed BigReese at his home where he has created an optimum environment for his new addition. Her name is Brownie:
CG: Well first, why the name Brownie?
BR: My wife named her Brownie because she is brown.
CG: How can you tell if a snake is a female?
BR: The best way to be sure is to wait until she is older. She can be tested by using a special probing instrument. This probe is inserted anally. The further the probe goes in means it's a male. This should be done by someone who knows the snake's anatomy.
CG: Why a red tail boa constrictor? Are there other kinds of boas?
BR: The red tails tend to be the most docile. There are many kinds of boa constrictors, like Suriname boas, rainbow boas, rosy boas. All with different patterns. The red tail boa constrictor is from South America.
CG: You and your wife went to, was it snake shows? Is this where I should start my search for a snake?
BR: It's a good place to go. Shopping online, you don't know what you are getting. It's better to look, touch and feel.
CG: How could you tell if Brownie was healthy? Why pick her and not another?
BR: This is the importance of shopping in person. Her skin was clear, her scales were even. Also her nose and eyes were clear. I looked around the edges of her mouth. If a snake has folds on her skin, you don't want that. I spent a 1/2 hour handling her so I could feel how she was breathing.
CG: What should I expect to pay for a red tail boa constrictor? The price range?
BR: Generally, between $100-$300. The dealers at the last show we went to had lots of snakes so the prices were competitive. Dealers make most of their money on the rare snakes like the albino boas and pythons.
CG: Before I even think about buying a snake, what preparations should I make at home?
BR: Have a low traffic area to put the tank, not where a lot of people pass by who can bother your pet. Provide a peaceful environment. The enclosure should have branches and hiding places. You also need a way to regulate the temperature; it should be between 80-88 degrees. Snakes are cold-blooded. You should also be able to control the humidity.
CG: How big will she get?
BR: Right now, Brownie is about 18 inches long at 8 months old. If you buy a red tail boa constrictor, be prepared for a small snake to become a very large snake. Females can grow to be 8-10 feet long and males can be about 8 feet.
CG: Few people can start out by setting aside a room for snakes, let alone redoing the heating system as you did in this room. And now I see that you have purchased a gigantic tank. What is this new tank for?
BR: The new tank is for her rapid growth rate. I like to be prepared. Within a year she will outgrow the tank she is in, which is 24 inches long and 15 inches wide. The new enclosure is 48 inches long by 24 inches in depth and the height is 24 inches. The new tank is made of polyethylene; it retains heat better than a fish tank and provides a more secure environment. It has glass only in the front. But in 2-3 years she will outgrow the new tank.
CG: Is it okay to put more than one snake in a tank?
BR: No. A couple reasons are, if one snake gets sick then the others will get sick. Also it would be difficult to feed two snakes at the same time. The only time to put two together is for breeding.
CG: OK, so now I've bought my snake home. What is the diet? Vegetables? Bugs?
BR: For a young snake you start with a live mouse once a week, the smallest size. An adult eats large rats, rabbits, guinea pigs; one every 10-14 days.
CG: Where do you get this snake food?
BR: I get it at a reptile store.
CG: I have to say, the first time I saw one of your snakes eat its prey I was amazed! The speed of catching that mouse! If I had blinked I would have missed it. What does your wife think about this feeding?
BR: She was amazed too and for an hour she talked about it.
CG: How does a boa constrictor kill its prey?
BR: They bite it, then coil their body around their prey.
CG: In other words they are constricting?
BR: Yes and no. They don't crush their prey like people believe they do. They hold the prey tightly so the prey can no longer breathe, hence the name constrictor. Once the prey is dead the snake will dislocate its jaw so it can swallow the prey whole.
CG: How often do you feed Brownie?
BR: Every week I give her one mouse because she is still small.
CG: Does it matter if it is a mouse or rat?
BR: Size matters so a mouse for a baby snake. At about a year and a half, then you can feed it a small rat.
CG: I don't particularly want a snake to be gigantic. Is there any way I can control the growth of the snake?
BR: No. You can't control it. A boa constrictor is destined to be a big snake. If you want a small snake get a Ball Python. I had a Burmese Python but they get big too.
CG: Brownie has just shed her skin. What does that mean? And how often will that happen?
BR: It means she is growing. A snake's skin doesn't expand like ours does when we grow. When she grows she has to shed her skin. This will happen about once a month when she is young and less as she gets larger. I save skins to check her growth pattern.
CG: Do snakes need playmates?
BR: Other snakes? No. But if you want your snake to be a pet you have to be the snake's playmate starting at a young age. Take them out of the tank maybe twice a week for at least a 1/2 hour each time.
CG: Do they need exercise?
BR: Yes. When you handle them you can allow them to climb on different safe objects specifically for them.
CG: And what is the life span?
BR: In captivity, approximately 20 years.
CG: What if I think my snake is sick?
BR: If you hear wheezing, or see bubbles coming from the nose or mouth, or small black dots crawling, which are commonly mites, take your snake to a vet immediately.
CG: I know your wife has never raised snakes. What does she think about having a snake as a pet? I mean, she looks very happy when she holds Brownie. Has she gotten involved in the feeding, or taking her out of the tank?
BR: She takes her out of the tank and she'll clean the tank. But no feeding! That'll probably take some time.
CG: Have you ever been bitten by one of your snakes?
BR: Yes. When you get bitten, it's usually because of something you've done.
CG: Like what?
BR: If you startle the snake, like grabbing it out of the tank too fast. Or if you smell like the food. One time my big snake bit me after I handled rats. I forgot to close her tank and she was trying to get out; when I went to close the tank, she bit me. When they are shedding they can bite you because thy can't see. So at that time leave them alone.
CG: Do you think you might like to breed Brownie?
BR: Yes, in the future.
CG: How many babies are normally produced?
BR: Boa constrictors are born live and 25 can be born at one time.
CG: What would you do with all of those baby snakes?
BR: Buy more tanks for them.
CG: One more thing I need to know and I think the readers would want to know. Any dangers? So often we read about a snake, or maybe this is just an urban legend, but a snake gets out of its tank and eats a family of 6, or someone comes home and the cat or dog is missing. Are snakes known to eat people?
BR: No, snakes don't eat people but a large boa constrictor or python is a big responsibility. When Brownie is 8 feet long, only experienced snake handlers should be around her.
CG: BigReese, Thank you so much! There seems to be a rather large 'snakes as pets' community out there. But I think, for now, I will just enjoy visiting Brownie. If you get more snakes or when you breed Brownie, can I come back and interview you?
BR: Yes.
CG: I'd love to see baby snakes! Thanks again!
For more information and slide shows see the two links below:
- Feeding a Baby Boa Constrictor: Interview 2 with Big...
The following interview “Feeding a Baby Boa Constrictor” is the second interview with BigReese. The first interview covered the basics about purchasing a boa constrictor; since then many specific... - Providing an Optimum Environment for Your Boa Constr...
This is the third interview with BigReese. He has been a snake owner for more than 20 years now. After purchasing his new red-tail baby boa constrictor named Brownie, I asked him many questions about buying... - Adding Another Boa Constrictor to the Home: Intervie...
Adding Another Boa Constrictor to the Home: Interview 4 with BigReeseIf you already have a pet snake and you are thinking about adding another one, it is best to be well prepared. You cannot just put your new...
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Comments
BigReese is quite serious about his pets. It's great because I get to visit and he and Mrs BigReese do all the work.
Brownie is beautiful!
It is so nice!
I read it again and again because I can't u understand some words.
Also I want to buy little baby snake but
my mother afraid of any snakes.
It is so sad .
Hello Vicky,
Snakes can be a lot of work and some grow very big. It does take a lot of
research and planning. Big Reese suggests a ball python but that may be too big for you...and your mother!
Thanks for writing!
uh uh................................................
Love your comment!
Thanks!
I thought 'snake' even though unusual' for a baby name was a REAL baby, not a SNAKE. I hate snakes...........female, male, it does not matter.........andIt is not because they are probably the most miss understood species in the world besideman, but they are snakes, even though I have known some guys that would fix that description.As a child I had a big encounter with a hugh snake, so after that I have not had any feeling for themexcept to RUN.......ok,I am not sure if I should say 'congratulation's on your newest event to your apparently growingfamily (mating should be interesting)......uh uh uh
I'd love to know about this big snake event you had when you were but a mere child! I too look forward to the mating but that will be awhile. Will keep you posted!
nice article-i didn't know it was so hard to determine a snake's gender. how do snakes tell another snake's gender? not with an anal probe, surely!!
Hey Abelle,
Maybe the female wears lipstick or something. This is a tricky one. But I suppose they can work it out.
CBelle
Hello again BKCreative,
This is a great interview. I can use it with my students. Something extra for science and to show them what an interview looks like.
I was looking for the 'golden ration' when I saw this. I appreciate anything with math or science.
Thank you very much!
Before we came across our little "Brownie", I did not know what having a snake as a pet would be like. I trusted my husband when he said snakes were fascinating pets, and now I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. They are fascinating!
I was never really a pet person, but snakes are quiet and very clean. I'm enjoying learning all about Brownie's habits, likes and dislikes. The oddest thing about Brownie is how she eats. She's a Boa Constrictor and of course constricts her prey, then swallows it whole (just like on the Discovery channel)!
Owning a snake or any pet is a commitment and every effort should be made to keep your pet healthy and happy. A happy pet makes a happy pet "parent"!!
Dear Mrs BigReese,
Thank you so much for writing! Snakes are quiet! I've learned so much from BigReese like the fact that boa constrictors have live births.
Looking forward to your next members of the snake family.
BKCreative
Hello Math Lady,
Thanks for writing and your requests. Of all my hubs this one is now the most popular - after the Korean kimchi! Had no idea snakes were so popular.
Glad you found the info useful for students and I will continue to write similar types of articles. Just discovered one of my former students in S. Korea has a porcupine as a pet. Now that is big news. She sent me a picture and hopefully I can arrange an interview with her soon.
My next interview will be with a music scholar who is doing a documentary about a very important part of American music history.
Please do keep checking!
BkCreative
It's very interesting to me. I want a snake as a pet someday. But the problem is food. How can I get mice? ^^
Hi there Jenny,
Big Reese buys his mice at a pet store. There was a time he used to breed his own food. I'm not sure of the diet of all snakes. I'll have to check with him. He usually goes in for very large snakes and I think you may want something very small. Before you are ready to get a snake let me know and I will do some research for you.
Meanwhile, your daughter has a porcupine? She sent me a picture. It is so cute and so tiny. I'll have to ask her if I can put the picture online and maybe interview her too. I don't know anyone who has a porcupine as a pet. I'm going to forward the picture to BigReese and wife!
Thanks for writing!
Carolyn
All very intresting. I was wondering...........
1 What happpens if you feed more than one mouse at a time?
2 Do they have to be alive?
3 Do snakes need water?
It would also be interesting to have some perspective in the pics to confirm Brownie's size. How about taking a series of pics over time with, say, a ruler nearby? We would then see how she is growing.
CuzRoger,
I like your suggestions and will ask BigReese for a photo with perspective.
I do know that one mouse at a time is pretty much all they need and once they are digesting a whole mouse I don't believe they have an interest in another - I don't think they are greedy like people.
There are some people who say the mice (food) can be killed, by the snake owner as the snake will eat a dead mouse - but good grief I don't want to kill them when I know the snake will do what's natural. I've read too that some people will sell mice already killed but BigReese says then you don't know if the food is healthy or how old it is.
I've asked BigReese to keep me up to date. You know this has been my most popular article online. I had no idea it would get such a response. It's even beating the kimchi recipe.
Thanks for your ideas!
BkCreative
Dear CuzRoger,
BigReese has given me more info in answer to your questions. He tells me that he has had to stun rats if they were too aggessive towards the snake so the rat wouldn't bite the snake.
I'm going to work on another article with BigReese, specifically about the feeding of boa constrictors and he promised to take pictures to monitor her size.
Thanks for your suggestions!
BkCreative
Can you give some more information about feeding. Can it be frozen? Why, why not. It seems it is done.
Hi Lbbj!
I will find out more information about feeding and then post in on the website. I need to check with BigReese to make sure it is correct. I've heard that some people buy frozen rats or mice so they can have them on hand when needed. I'm going to work with BigReese and do another column only about feeding.
Thank you very much for asking!
How big are baby boa constrictors? and would it be ok to keep a baby boa in a fish tank with a heat lamp?
Hi Mike Hawk -
I do believe most people start off with fish tanks and just buy larger ones as the boa grows. I remember BigReese had large fish tanks. I'll check with him about the heat lamp. I know they need the steady warmth but I don't know the source of the heat.
Thanks for writing!
i have had the pleasure of meeting "little" brownie personally, my daughter is married to big reese. i must say, he is slowly helping me come to grips with my fear of snakes. brownie is beautiful and looks very peaceful. i have not held her yet, but maybe one day. i look forward to watching her grow in amazement....
How should I make the environment in the fish tank for a boa?
Hi Again Mike Hawk,
I will contact BigReese tonight - or Mrs. BigReese who is also involved with the red tail boa and see what info I can get for you as I want it to be as accurate as possible. I'm also going to see if I can get BigReese to respond directly to you. I admit I have enjoyed knowing him and his snakes but he does all the work - and I just look on.
At the latest I will actually see him and his new red tail boa on Thursday - she is getting ready to shed. She is still in the fish tank - but he has the large tank ready for her.
Did you see the pictures below? I'm going to move them up so everyone can see her and the new tank!
Thanks again for writing!
Hi Mother of Mrs BigReese and MotherInLaw of BigReese.
I'm so glad you wrote and shared some information with the community. I must get your daughter or son-in-law online to answer some questions.
I must catch up with both of them as I want to do interview number 2 to discuss the feeding and maybe interview 3 to discuss setting up everything because Mike Hawk has asked some good questions.
Thanks again for writing!
Wow,wow,wow!! There is so much interest in our little Browine!! I will get together with Mr. BigReese and we will answer everyone's questions!
Hey Weezie!!!!!
Mrs. BigReese
Mrs. Big Reese...thank you so very much!
Brownie is a hot one!
Hello to everyone. On thursday I have a follow up interview about feeding. I will try to explain the different ways feeding can be done. One comment I wanted to respond to is from mike hawk regarding heating a tank. Please dont use a lamp of any kind for heating any snake. What I would suggest is what is pictured above. A polyethelene tank with a radiant heat panel on a proportional thermostat. keep the room temp in the 70s. and you will be fine. I also will have pictures of the cage and everything in it you will need to make your snake happy. After thursday I will check this thread often and will be more than happy to answer any questions. Happy thanksgiving to all!
Ah BigReese!
Thank you so much for writing! Only you can answer all the questions as I don't want to give misinformation.
I look forward to the next interview(S) - about feeding, and about setting up the tank as Mike Hawk asked. I also need more pictures of Brownie to check her growth.
Thanks again to you and MrsBigReese (and her mom)!
Hi - Meant to sign it BkCreative!
snakes dont dislocate their jaws they have a stretchy membrane in between where the two jaw bones meet and this alows them to open there mouths wide other than that great info.
Thanks for reading...
In all my research on the net I've only seen the term 'dislocated jaw' used. This is from 'The Independent Science' magazine to "ABC's Science in the News" and many many more. One website used the term 'disarticulating' - totally new to me. What you describe sounds like a jaw dislocating by the use of a stretchy membrane.
BKC
what if I buy another snake - can I put it in the same tank if they are the same breed?
redtail - I am so glad you asked. BigReese and Mrs BigReese just bought another redtail boa constrictor. He said he will not put the new one in with the other because you want to be sure the new one is healthy - also he will always keep his snakes separate because it makes for easy feeding.
Because BigReese has the new baby I am going to interview him about that and do a 4th interview and will post it later in June.
Thanks for writing!
Wow - poor snakes - an anal probe??? You would think the further up you went would indicate it's a female:) Either way - yipes!!!!!!! Not to mention having 25 born at one time (and we woman think we have it hard!) This article was fabulous, and for those readers who haven't already done so, go read the sequel! (I accidentally read that one first - but it's great too.)
Thanks for clearing up the understanding about hot blooded versus cold-blooded also. I could never get how that goes! Now I know that cold-blooded things like boas need a HOT or warm environment (the boas's was 80-88 degrees).
Thanks Charm-Baker - love your comments and humor. I value your opinion!
I am working on the next interview because there is a new addition to the snake family (and also a bearded dragon). Alas my computer crashed and had to be sent out for some rest, relaxation, and renewal.
Please stay tuned!
Very interesting interview...
In my home town, No one grows (or even "think of" snake as a pet, but your interview makes me want to grow snakes too, :D!
But, how do you handle the snake if it becomes too large...??
HHKim - you asked a great question - about handling a snake when it becomes too large.
These red tail boa constrictors grow to be very large - the males about 8 feet and the females 10 feet - but BigReese is a very big man who goes to the gym five times a week and has for the last 20 plus years. These snakes, although a docile breed are very strong and so are not recommended for a child or someone who is not at all familiar with a snake.
I have always handled BigReese's snakes only when he has been present.
It is always best to do a lot of current research before buying a snake as a pet. It's important to know what you are getting into with any pet.
I'm glad you asked the question. Thank you!
Good hub! My youngest son is a snake fanatic. I bought his first ball python 10 years ago. She died of heat exposure. (my mom hates snakes) And it was a few years before we got him another. I find snakes fascinating! The first pythons name was Sheila and when she wanted attention, she would squeak at us. Watching her eat was another experience. She was big enough after 2 years to eat 3 white mice every couple weeks. My daughter used her as a head and waist ornament and Sheila loved the attention. Sheila was never taken out of the house and there was only once that she got out of her 'house' but we found her hiding in the closet under some suitcases and boxes. I was a fright I thought she had gotten outside, we actually tore the house apart looking for her. Fun days! Also my son informed me that you can tell a snakes gender by the length and shape of the tail......male has a long slender tale and the female is more heavy to the anus then tail gets pointy. :)
Hello again Raggits!
I read your comment here last and now I know about Sheila. My son has also had a ball python and he particularly likes the red tail boa.
It is absolutely fascinating to watch them it. Nature at its finest.
I am working on a 4th hub with BigReese which I think you will enjoye. He started with snakes over 20 years ago and now that he is a grown man he has gotten quite sophisticated with their care, housing and feeding.
So glad you enjoyed these hubs. I had the benefit of visiting these snakes and enjoying them.
Stay tuned!
Nic says:
14 months ago
Your interview is so informative and fun. And wow what good parents BigReese and Mrs. BigReese appear to be! One of my brothers owned a snake for almost a minute. I wish he could have read your article before buying it. Oh well.