my first boa

[RB420]

i just got my very first boa last night. she is just a norm but beautiful any ways. unfortunately she is in the process of shedding so she isnt in the best of moods. but after she is done and has settled in and ready to be handled i will post some pics....

i have heard a lot of different answers as to when to offer food. I was just going to wait for her to shed then give her a day or two before offering a rat. what do you think?

[Bartman]

You could feed right after if you want, it makes no difference. Congrats on your first boa. Is it just a common BCI? Id also suggest not handling 2 days after feeding and probably let him settle in for a week or two before you start handling him.

[BoidKeeper]

I always wait a full two weeks before feeding any new snake to make sure they are not stressed. If they are stressed they could regurge and then you have to go down that road. I also wait until they've had 4 meals in a row before handling them.
Cheers,
Trevor

[greenman1867]

Just to clear it up, you mean 2 weeks after bringing the snake home to get settled in it's new environment and anytime after shedding, right?

Sorry, not to step on any toes, just to make sure there is no confusion.

Shawn

[BOA68]

Yup two weeks after you bring it home not after sheds. You want to wait at least a week, two weeks is even better. This will give plenty of time for your snake to settle in and will eliminate a lot of the stress involved with putting the snake in a new environment. Only do water changes and clean out any waste if it goes to the bathroom for the first week or two. My BCI actually refused food for almost a month after i brought her home, so some snakes may need more time than others.

[RB420]

thanks, iwas just going to wait a week, now ithink i will wait. two...

another thing the only other snae i've owned is a BP and wow what a difference in temperment my boa struck twice at me when i changed her tank today after she pooped.

[pinoiballer01]

im just curious as what some other people are saying bout their boas temperament. my first boa that i got from the reptile show in pomona is very nice just holding in to my hands when i hold eat and hes a good eater. i recently purchased a female and shes a little bit aggressive always in strike pose when i handle her but havent strike yet. they are both great eaters though. maybe few more weeks of handling will calm her down.

[paulsreef]

Also keep the new Bci on paper towels with only it's water bowl and a simple hide (kraft dinner box). This will allow you to keep a look out for mites. I said Kraft dinner box because I was assuming the snake was a baby.
Paul.