4 of 12

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

took her a few years to save for a snake. Boas can cost a few hundred dollars or more and, as with any pet, all the necessary accessories can get expensive. By the time she brought Ozzie into her home, Diana was well prepared.

Boas are not the best snakes for beginners because they can be very powerful and a lot of work to care for, but can be one of the easiest giant snakes to tame. They can reach up to 8 feet or longer and up to 50 pounds or more, yet if they are handled two or three times a week they can become quite tame and docile. They can even eventually enjoy being held, as Ozzie does.

Diana wanted a boa constrictor because they're not as finicky as some snakes on the type of prey they are fed. She didn't like the idea of feeding live animals to a snake. Boas will eat pre-killed prey, which is safer for them. Live prey may attack and hurt the snake in self-defense. Diana also liked the diamond shape head and the patterned skin characteristic of boas.

Though they are a beautiful and fascinating animal, snakes are generally despised by people. Many suffer from ophidiophobiathe fear of snakes. It is important to consider family and friends when getting one. Diana's children thought it was so cool when they got Ozzie. They would often take him out to handle him. There were mixed reactions from the rest of Diana's family. Her mom doesn't like snakes; she won't enter the house with Ozzie there. Her father likes Ozzie and takes care of him when Diana goes away. Diana is finding that her friends are more leery of Ozzie now, since he has gotten much bigger than he was a couple of years ago. Her kids still love Ozzie and give him a great deal of attention by petting him, but they won't hold him anymore because he's so strong. Dating is also a consideration. Diana has had boyfriends that haven't been too fond of Ozzie. Any kind of pet can be an issue in relationships with others, but Diana was surprised at how many people genuinely hate snakes.

For those who do like them, Red Tail Boa Constrictors can be an appealing buy when they are cute babies at 18 inches long. Some prospective owners don't grasp the fact that this cute little snake grows up to 3 feet in the first year and that it will keep growing. They also don't realize these snakes can live 25 years or more. If the research is done properly and the passion is there, a snake can be a person's best friend. Diana loves Ozzie immensely. He's as much a part of her life as the rest of her family is.

Learn more about this author, Cheryl Smyth.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Snake-keeping for beginners?
We want to hear your view. Write now!