There is a local woman selling her red tailed boa and I wanted to ask for advice. It is an amazingly tempting offer, though I think I will only take it if the snake is male. Anyway, all I know at the moment is that it is seven feet long, has been handled since it was a baby and has been around kids. I've emailed some questions.

Anyway, would you guys mind looking at some pictures and letting me know what you think of both the snake and it's cage, which would be part of the deal. I would really appreciate it. I'm noticing right away that that water dish is too small, however that can be easily fixed!

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The snake is a beauty and seems well-fed and (from the pics it looks healthy: nice luster to the scales)
However IMO the tank is already on the small side. I don't want to start one of those arguments about enclosure sizes, but I try to give my snakes as much room as I can afford: physically and financially. One guideline is that the diagonal length of the tank should be at least 2/3 the length of the snake, but most people don't go that big. You don't need height as much as length and width for an adult boa.
I guess it all depends on how much she's asking for it and how much you'll have to invest in more appropriate housing as the snake gets bigger.
Also be sure to have a stool test done when you get it. Most of my new snakes had some type of internal parasites that needed treating.
(There are always hidden costs to consider).

Let us know what you decide. Good luck. It's tempting with such a beautiful animal!

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Andrea

snake looks good to me.. but cage is a bit on the tall side.. harder to heat that way.. and as already said, a longer tank would be a good idea.. plus a guard around the heat lamp...