Red tail boa questions

[Smileythesnake]

We are relatively new snake owners and I have several questions I'm hoping you could answer.
I've been trying to find a good hideout for her because the loves being under things. However, at 5 1/2 feet long, I can't seem to find anything on the internet. Would she like a flower pot? A hat? I know I'm reaching here but it's what she has requested from Santa through her 13 year old owner - LOL
We've owned Smiley for about 4 months now and she has shed for the 3rd time. I was under the uninformed impression snakes only shed once a year. Is that true? If so, why is she shedding so much.
She is about 5 1/2 feet long now and approx. 4 years old according to the guy we got her from. He said keep feeding her 1 medium rate about every 3 weeks. Is that enough? Not enough? When do we increase it? She looks to be at a good weight and is relaxed and content.
Many, many thanks. You guys are my ONLY source of GOOD snake information. And trust me, Smiley thanks you even more! :yes:

[Ch^4]

Welcome!

1. You can make hideouts from nearly anything; flowerpots, tupperware, rubbermaid, shoeboxes, etc. A snug fit is typically preferred by the snake anyways, as it makes them feel more comfortable.

Here's a link to a site that sells inexpensive abs plastic hides (the largest hide should suffice, but maybe try to get a rough size estimate of her when she's coiled): ABS Plastic Hide Boxes (http://www.npicages.com/abs_plastic_hide_boxes.html)

2. Snakes can shed very frequently if in a growing spurt; one of my snakes shed twice with only 22 days in between. One of my adults may go 6-8 weeks without shedding. It all depends on what she eats and her genetics.

3. Determining prey size can usually be done by comparing the girth of the prey, to the girth of the largest portion on your snakes body. I'm not sure about red tail boas, but most snakes are happy with 1 prey item that is equal to or slightly larger than the thickest portion of their body. At 4 years of age, a food item every 10-14 days should suffice, but I'll let the red tail owners comment.

Hope that helps!

[marvelfreak]

Go to a dollar store or Wal mart and get a litter box (for cats) cut a opening in one end. Works great for med size snakes. Or you can get a small tote or tub and do the same. Snakes shed about once a month, just depends on how often they eat and how fast they grow. As far as food sound good to me. Love to see pictures.

[Lankyrob]

My larger snake uses a plastic rabbit bed for a hide, it comes in two parts so two hides for the price of one. And as it isnt designed fro reptiles it is soooo much cheaper than buying a snake hide.

[Reptile_Reptile]

yea marvelfreak pretty much got it on the head. i would just like to thank you by the way for seeking out information to make your snakes life better. good job i'm sure your going to be a great snake owner.

[Swan]

You say she's four years old and only 5 feet long? I am a boa keeper and now breeder and this seems like very light diet. A four year old boa should be eating a jumbo rat or small rabbit every ten days. Seems kinda small for a female RTB that old?

[shaunyboy]

its only carpet pythons i keep but i must admit i thought your boa should be eating larger prey items

my carpets are no where near as big girth wise as a boa but all my adults are on medium to large rats

re hides
i use pretty much anything i find in pound stores your equivilent of dollar stores

washing up basins,small underwear,clothes storage containers

if its for your 13 year old im sure he/she will be able to use their ample imagination ( at that age,kids minds are so creative)

some pictures of your boa with something in them as a size reference,sky tv remote,mobile phone,etc

this would give the boa keepers an idea of her size

cheers shaun

[Smileythesnake]

AWESOME! Thanks so much for your help! I put a flower pot in her cage and haven't seen her since! she've LOVES IT!

[Smileythesnake]

We are trying to be good snake owners and I'm SO thankful of everyone on this forum! I'd be lost without you! THANK YOU

[Smileythesnake]

The guy we got her from said she was 4 years old. We got her for $30 off of Craig's list which included the snake, a 6' tank on a stand, heat light with therostat, the whole enchilata. She is right at 5' long and that's trying to measure her without stetching her from end to end; I'm not sure she would appreciate that! LOL The medium size rats we feed her are about the same size as she is wide and were told not to feed her anything bigger than she is around. Is that correct?

Many, many thanks!

[Smileythesnake]

Great idea about posting a photo of her with something so you can relate to her size. I'll try and get something in the next day or so and will post. That way we can make sure I'm feeding her enough.

[Lankyrob]

General rulewith food size is one and ahalf to two tiems the size of the thickest part of the snake.