I would like to breed red tailed boa's?

Question

I have a friend who has a snake roughly the same age as mine +-3-4 years. I would like to breed them but am worried his snake might give my snake a disease or infection or vise versa. How is the best way to go about this without stressing either of the snakes???

Answer 1

First I would take both of them to the vet and have them sexed unless you know for sure they are male and female. While there have them run a fecal exam and also examine them for respiratory diseases. As parasites and respiratory diseases are the most common in herps. Any other info you need you can find at http://www.anapsid.org This is a site sponsored by the veterinary information network and is full of good herp info!

Answer 2

Here is a good online care sheet that covers breeding, it is in PDF format and can be down loaded.

http://www.redtailboas.com/care/TheUltim...

Books

The first one is a good starting point, and at least one of the other two are a must.

The Boa Constrictor Manual

by Philippe de Vosjoli

Captive Husbandry and Propagation of the Boa Constrictors and Related Boas

by David Fogel

Complete Boa Constrictor: A Comprehensive Guide to the Care, Breeding, and Geographic Races

by Vincent Russo

Answer 3

First of all if you are just worried about diseases then I would have him take his snake to the vet to get a clean bill of health.  Second of all, this takes some time.  It doesnt just happen over night, so you will have to leave your snake with him or vise versa.  And it is a lot of hard work to take good care of the clutch when they are born.  Make sure you read up on it.  Take care and Good Luck!