Bubo and Nia!
This is Princess Cercey (on the left) and Princess Krepana (on the right).
As you probably guessed, we actually do have a pair of baby boa constrictors. And they are precious!!!
This is Princess Krepana with Bubo and Nia. They are a year old and getting huge!
As you probably imagine, many people aren't too fond of our little babies. But we love them a whole lot!
This is the REAL Bubo climbing on Princess Krepana's glasses (as she often does).
Bubo and Nia are Colombian (red-tail) boas and their native habitat is in the South American rainforest. Right now, they are both staying with Princess Krepana, because Princess Cercey is going to Germany for the school year. They love climbing and often get stuck in strange places because they want to climb.
Like many snakes, Bubo and Nia feast on mice. Right now, they have to eat "hoppers", which are like teen-age mice. Eventually, when they get to be full-size (which can be up to ten feet, I believe) they'll eat rats. Fortunately, that won't be for a few years yet.
Boa constrictors are often the pet snake of choice, being as they are very docile and aren't fussy eaters, generally. When they are babies the can be snappy and may bite. The bite isn't venomous; boas kill their prey by constricting rather than using venom. Princess Cercey and I got extremely lucky with our babies. They came from parents of very sweet dispositions.
Snakes generally will have anywhere from ten to twenty-plus babies at a time. While most snakes lay eggs, boa constrictors give birth to live babies. That is quite the sight! I actually found Bubo, Nia and all of their siblings a day or so after their mother gave birth. I was so excited that the babies had actually arrived that I ran around the biology department looking for people to tell.
Many people ask me why the snakes are always sticking their tongues out. Actually, that's how they smell. They catch scent particles on their tongues and it goes to a gland in the back of their head called the Jacobson's organ that is their smelling organ.
Right now, Bubo and Nia are about two and a half feet long apiece. They have a lot of growing to do and during their first couple years of life is when they'll grow the most. But Princess Cercey and I would rather have them stay small for as long as possible.
People ask about their names, too. Nia is a Gaelic name that means "warrior" and Princess Cercey liked it, so that's what she picked. Bubo is Greek for "owl", like the owl in "Clash of the Titans". Princess Krepana chose it because she liked the movie and she loved the little owl.
December 12, 2000: UPDATE!!!!! Yes, I have been poor about getting updates up on the babies... They ate last week and did a very good job. They've also shed again. Nia misses her mommy and Bubo will be travelling for Christmas with Krepana. Now we're waiting for more babies to come from our adult snakes... Keep your fingers crossed!!!
Keep watching here for more exciting news about the babies!
That's all for now!
