New here and a question :)

[Jasmine]

Hi! So this post is a few firsts for me. First post here, first post ever on a forum (so I totally don't know the lingo), and I'm a first time snake owner. Well, other than a wild caught/rescued Garter when I was a kid.

My snake Elliott is a Hog Island boa. He is pretty young, I know he is a 2013 baby and he is about 2 feet long right now. Before bringing him home I did a bunch of research about Hog Islands and how to properly care for them. Despite my research (thank you guys btw, I learned a ton by reading posts here) I feel like I have a thousand questions still! I'll start with only one right now though.

I brought Elliott home on February 13th. The guy that I got him from said that he had deficated the day before so Feb. 12th. My first feeding with him was on the 16th and then again on the 23rd and he has not deficated at all since I brought him home. Is this normal?

[infernalis]

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[BIGT FROM F.B.]

Welcome! As far as your question, I have not dealt with that breed myself, but soon you'll get lots of answers from knowledgeable people on here.

[poison123]

What are your temps and humidity at?

Also his snout seems a little deformed or injured.

Also I would say this is some sort of hypo common boa. Does not look like a hog island to me or at least not a pure (which are hard to come by)

[bigsnakegirl785]

What are your temps and humidity at?

Also his snout seems a little deformed or injured.

Also I would say this is some sort of hypo common boa. Does not look like a hog island to me or at least not a pure (which are hard to come by)

I agree, if it's a Hog it definitely looks like a cross to me. As far as I know, there are no pure Hog morphs. He is still very pretty, though! I'm guessing that nose could have come from some nose rub at the breeder's?

[Jasmine]

Thanks for the welcome :)

Daniel, I am actually going to pick up the temp and humidity gauges after work today. I know it's terrible but I did not know that I needed one when I got his tank set up. Right now I have an under tank heater and a ceramic bulb on one side of the tank. I spray the tank really well once or twice a day. I live in Montana and our winters are very dry so I have been a little worried about that. I do also have a container with moss and a lid on the hot side of the tank as suggested by the breeder. I haven't seen him use it at all though.

Also, You are right about his breed, I should have been more specific. The pet shop had him marked as a dwarf boa. When I met the breeder he said that he is 3/4 hog island. His daddy was half hog. I will ask him next time I see him to make sure. I just wanted a boa that would stay on the smaller side.

You are also right about his snout. It is the reason that I picked him. I was told that when he was transported to the store he did not like the container that he had been put in and was pushing on the lid to get out which caused the bump. He has not had any issues with eating or breathing so it does not seem to bother him. I know that it is an undesirable feature but I like his unique little face, I think it makes him look like a pit bull or a gator, lol.

I will update later with the temp and humidity. Thanks for your help!

[KORBIN5895]

My boas can go for a month without popping no problem.

Secondly hogg Island boas can be naturally hypomelanistic.

Finally there are still some pure hoggs out there you just have to be willing to pay through the nose.

[Jasmine]

Awesome info, thanks! So at what point do you start to worry about them not pooping? Also, maybe this is a stupid question but if someone asks about the breed of my snake what is the appropriate answer since he is not a pure Hog Island? I'm still learning what all of the lingo means. I really appreciate all the education and advice I can get!

[poison123]

I would call it a hypo boa or a hog island cross.

Or you can just tell them that its a cross between different localities.

[KORBIN5895]

It's a boa Constrictor.

[Trent]

hi and welcome!!

[Tsubaki]

Welcome!! :D

Are you sure that nose is a deformity? Looks like a swelling, is it a soft lump? I would make sure it is not an infection of some sort. Never seen a head deform like this by pressing a lid, scars yes even missing scales.. But nothing like this?

[Pirarucu]

Welcome aboard!

I agree, that is not something I would expect from rubbing... Could be a congenital defect or some sort of swelling.
As far as pooping goes, unless the snake starts to appear swollen and still hasn't pooped, I wouldn't worry. Temperature being too low can be a cause of constipation in reptiles, so definitely make sure temps are correct. As long as he is set up properly, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Jasmine]

hi and welcome!!

Thanks! Most everyone has been so helpful here and friendly. I have a lot to learn and I feel like this is a great place to do so :)

Welcome!! :D

Are you sure that nose is a deformity? Looks like a swelling, is it a soft lump? I would make sure it is not an infection of some sort. Never seen a head deform like this by pressing a lid, scars yes even missing scales.. But nothing like this?

I was told by the breeder that he did not have the bump prior to transport to the pet store. It is not hard but it isn't squishy, nothing like I would expect from an abscess. The scales are maybe a little different shaped in that area but not missing from what I can tell. What should I watch for? I'll also try to get some better pictures when I get home tonight.

[Jasmine]

Welcome aboard!

I agree, that is not something I would expect from rubbing... Could be a congenital defect or some sort of swelling.
As far as pooping goes, unless the snake starts to appear swollen and still hasn't pooped, I wouldn't worry. Temperature being too low can be a cause of constipation in reptiles, so definitely make sure temps are correct. As long as he is set up properly, I wouldn't worry about it.

I am a little concerned about the temp and humidity after reading a bunch of posts last night. I think I was not as informed as I could have been but I plan to post later about my set up and get some pointers. I was concerned about him pooping after reading some horror stories about snakes with impacted bowels and the fact that he has not gone since I brought him home almost three weeks ago. I did not know what a normal time frame was. Thanks for the reassurance :)

[Jasmine]

Oh! I should also mention that the size of the bump has stayed proportionate to his head. He has grown a bit since I first saw him and it does not seem to me like it has gotten any bigger or smaller, but rather grown with him.

[MCB]

Hi & Welcome, your snake looks good, congrats.

Maybe just get that bump looked at if its still the same in a week or two, unless you notice any other ill effects of course then sooner the better.

[Tsubaki]

I was told by the breeder that he did not have the bump prior to transport to the pet store. It is not hard but it isn't squishy, nothing like I would expect from an abscess. The scales are maybe a little different shaped in that area but not missing from what I can tell. What should I watch for? I'll also try to get some better pictures when I get home tonight.

I personally would get that checked out, whatever it is.. It is not supposed to be there.

[Jasmine]

I'm working on finding a good exotics vet as we speak. I'm a little worried now. I just thought it was cosmetic and nothing to worry about. Glad I posted here, thanks for the info everyone.

[Jasmine]

Here are a few better head shots

[Tsubaki]

Good that you are going to see a vet! :D