Humidity problems and not eating

[Mayj12]

Hello, I picked up a boa 5 days ago. Tried feeding her tonight and she wasn't interested at all. I understand they need a while to acclimate but I figured 5 days before trying would be sufficient. I must admit we did handle her yesterday, would that cause it? Maybe too soon? Another thing I read that It could be caused by husbandry errors. The hot end is at 90 give or take and cool side around 81. So this is where the humidity question comes in, I was told 50-60%. But then i've read 60-70%. I figured I'd shoot for the middle. Going by my digital hydrometer/thermometer it says 58 to 60 most of the time. However I also bought a zoo med one but it's the old school dial ones. It's almost 10% lower than the digital always. I woke up one morning and looked and one said 55% and I was like cool i'll give it just a little mist. Looked at the other and it says 45. Which should I trust on this? Granted one is on the hot side and the other the cool side but that shouldn't matter I'd think. She hasn't shed yet so I can't go by that yet. Back to feeding again, It's 10 days between feeding so I don't think it's too soon for that. She's 2.5 yo according to the dealer.
Anyway, I'm rambling now. I just want to make sure I'm getting it right. I don't want her to be harmed.

[Mayj12]

So update, I left the rat in her cage turned out the light. I walked by about 3 hours later and she was eating it. So that's good. Does it matter what time of day I feed her? Should I have waited till later when she was more active? When I tried the first time it was like 5pm.
On the humidity side of things i'll just wait to she how she sheds and adjust according.
Thanks

[EL Ziggy]

I don't worry about humidity very much with my boas, or any of my snakes for that matter. They've fluctuated between 30-70% humidity and I've never had any issues. Just make sure they have access to fresh water at all times. I think hydration is more important than humidity but you don't want it too dry in their enclosures. I will occasionally mist their enclosures if I see them prepping for a shed but that's about it. I'm glad your girl ate for you. Sometimes new snakes can be a bit shy. I usually try to feed all of my snakes at night since they're mostly nocturnal but I have fed them at different times during the day and they've always eaten. Best wishes with your new critter. Share pics when you can.

[Mayj12]

Thanks, it was quite a relief when I saw her. I'll try and wait a little later in the evening next time to make sure.
Also thanks for the tip on humidity. I'll admit it was hard as heck to keep it up. I've put moss in it and that's helped keep it around 53 or so mostly. So I can now quit worrying about that. Also the seller sold me a bag of Repti Bark. I've read it's pretty good but I already had my cage set up with aspen. When it's time to clean i'll try that. I'll try to send pics now but i've never had that much success lol.

Ok nevermind, I'm on my phone and it's saying my file is too big. I'll have to wait till I get home.

[serpentixus]

What boa are we talking about? A boa constrictor? If so, I would not be worried if humidity is 40 or 60%, the gauges are not accurate. Just spray from time to time and look if shedding is ok.
When you say you left the rat in the cage for 3 hours, I hope you feed frozen thawed? A live rat in a cage with a boa that is stressed an not eating can result in serious bites from the rat to the boa. After moving a snake, always wait 10-14 days and do not handle it. By that time they will be more comfortable an hungry when offering a prey.

[dangernoodles]

The analog thermometer is likely wrong, they are known to get stuck and only measure the surface that they are stuck on. Of course as El Ziggy stated earlier I wouldn´t worry too much about the humidity. I do hope you are feeding her frozen thawed rodents because leaving an unsupervised live rodent in an enclosure can cause serious scratches or bites. I recommend feeding them at dusk just because they are more alert during the night time.

[Mayj12]

Yes, I'm feeding frozen thawed. The next week I fed her she snatched it right out of the tweezers. I was relieved at that. Seemed she finally was comfortable. However two days ago I fed her again and once more she didn't seem interested and I left it again. And she ate it later. I did clean her cage and put a new substrate down, tried repti chip instead of aspen. I did that the day before and it probably messed her mojo up. She did go into blue yesterday so that may have played into it as well. Its the first time she has gone into shed with me so I don't know how that will turn out. The new substrate seems to help with the humidity. But like you all have said, I'm not so worried about it anymore. Just trying to learn as I go lol. I did buy the more complete boa book by Vin Russo. Read it front to back. It's quite helpful. Oh, she's a boa imperator. I know they're are some differences in husbandry requirements but everyone says that they are a little more forgiving than the true red tails. Which I would absolutely love to have one day. But I figured I'd go with the easier of the two first lol. Thanks for all the help.

[dangernoodles]

I´m glad she is eating! Good luck with your new boa. Send us some pictures when you can.