boas - level of noise at night?

Hi folks,

I am currently in the research phase of purchasing my first boa (a Dumeril). After several months of reading everything I can, there is one (admittedly strange) thing that I am a bit worried about...

the only good place I can keep the boa would be in a cage in my home office. The trouble is, my home office is an adjoining room attached to the master bedroom (like a retreat off of the master). My wife is a light sleeper, so having a nocturnal snake about 30 feet away from the bed (no walls in between) may be an issue. Our room is normally very quiet at night, so the last thing I want is to have to sell the snake because it's keeping her awake.

So, the question is: How active are Dumeril's (or other ground boas) at night, and are they typically making a fair amount of noise as they move around? The likely enclosure (a Showcase brand) will probably have aspen substrate and maybe a log or two to climb on. I plan on starting with a baby and keeping it for it's lifetime.

I realize that many variables are at play (like the snake's size, whether or not fresh kill feeding will need to occur overnight, etc.) and that this is a hard question to answer...but I'm hoping that at least one of you have had a similar experience.

Thanks for your insight,
-Chris

sorry for the duplicate thread folks! the second post was an accidental submission - i'm looking for the delete button, but can't find one.

lol....sorry to laugh but snakes dont make noise. If they rub on screening on cages then yes...moving around on limbs and aspen bedding then no. They are quiet as the night time is usually hunting and exploring time. Dont feed live if you really care about your snake. The more they have to play with (climb on and check out) the better, handle often to keep the response between you and snake nice. Your oaky if you use a quality cage also (nothing to rub on and make noise) Screen is horrible caus eit will eat scales. Any questions email me...critterswild@yahoo.com

Snakes are pretty quiet. However, your question evoked in me a memory of one of my fave cartoons, "One Froggy Evening"; it is a must see.

Another of Jones' most famous cartoons was the renowned One Froggy Evening (1955) - about a singing/dancing frog (in retrospect named Michigan J. Frog) who was unearthed from a condemned building's cornerstone. A construction worker - who pursued a fortune with the talented croaker, was dismayed when the Frog would only perform for him and not for an audience or talent agency. The cartoon was noted for a lack of spoken dialogue, and a rich collection of ragtime era songs - Steven Spielberg once noted that it was "the Citizen Kane of animated film". [Years later, a look-alike Michigan J. Frog would become the mascot of Warner Bros. new television network channel.] The animation was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2003.

About the only noises you'll here is if you have any shed in the tank. It'll sound like leaves. Remove any shed and they are pretty quiet.

thirty feet away in a closed cage, you won't here anything.

Chris,
You'll have no issues, especially with a Dumerils. They tend to be less active then many of the other ssp.

The thing you really need to worry about is the addiction.

I can't name a single person in this hobby with one snake. Inevitably, one becomes two becomes ten - you get the picture. When the bed is completely surrounded on all sides by snake enclosures - then your wife may have an issue with your "critters". Until then - you'll be fine.

Originally Posted by Mike Greathouse

Chris,
You'll have no issues, especially with a Dumerils. They tend to be less active then many of the other ssp.

The thing you really need to worry about is the addiction.

I can't name a single person in this hobby with one snake. Inevitably, one becomes two becomes ten - you get the picture. When the bed is completely surrounded on all sides by snake enclosures - then your wife may have an issue with your "critters". Until then - you'll be fine.

I agree. It's got to be easier to kick heroin then give up snakes.

They are right. One year ago, I helped my roommate care for his snakes. It is a rapidly progressing addiction. It rivals potato chips! And, now, I own 24 of my own, including a SWEET Dumeril from Mike Greathouse! Thanks Mike! She's doing great and is a real looker!

...that's when the "Home Office" becomes the "Snake Room." A natural progression for herpers!