New Boa & owner.

zooky · 07-14-13, 08:09 AM

Hello to all good to be here

I've looked and read so many articles and care
sheets to get to grips with this rescued Boa. I'm hoping I've got it right. To cut a long story short I turned up to see that the viv had no thermostat/hygrometer and the heat pad was on and on top of the snake. The water dish was black, generally the viv was in a right mess. I've only had a corn snake for 7 months so all that I know came from setting that up. (which was another rescue) I lifted the heat mat only to find the snake was in bad shed and not knowing how long it had been like this decided to take action. So got her out and straight into a tepid bath to help her. (I think its a her) she hissed a bit for the first 5mins but she seemed to work out what I was doing and settled down and let me finish stroking her until all the bad shed was off. With lack of a rub and any other stuff it was the only option I could think of.

I have her home now and I've set up the viv as best I could. I have the heat mat under the sub straight set up with heat tape a ministat 100 attached direct to the heat mat set at 30c. (I've found that heat tape stops heat spots on the mat and distributes the heat evenly across the mat)

I know I've a few more questions yet to come.

infernalis · 07-14-13, 08:14 AM

hunter4life · 07-14-13, 08:16 AM

How did you make that?

Oh and welcome from my cold blooded andimals! (some furry and feathered ones too!)

zooky · 07-14-13, 08:50 AM

Hi all

What I used was 3M Aluminum Foil Tape. I found this stuff really works when setting up my corn.

The one thing I'm worried about is her weight I can feel her ribs so not sure how much under she is. I had her out yesterday with a tape, measured out to 6 feet. The humidity went right up due to the new substrate so made an extractor to keep it down to 60%

Lankyrob · 07-14-13, 09:14 AM

Welcome, you really dont want ANY tape in the viv with a snake, if a corner lifts and the snake gets snagged on it then you are looking at major issues.

zooky · 07-14-13, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Welcome, you really dont want ANY tape in the viv with a snake, if a corner lifts and the snake gets snagged on it then you are looking at major issues.

Thanks Rob, yeah I've been thinking about that. I will put the thermometer on the bottom of the heat pad, seems like the safest place just trying to get it all set up right. Any thoughts on the weight? Here is another pic..

Lankyrob · 07-14-13, 09:32 AM

Not really a boa person but it does look a little skinny to me, am sure someone more experienced can tell you properly tho

Amadeus · 07-14-13, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zooky

Thanks Rob, yeah I've been thinking about that. I will put the thermometer on the bottom of the heat pad, seems like the safest place just trying to get it all set up right. Any thoughts on the weight? Here is another pic..

It does look a little skinny. A good feeding schedule and some good sized rodents will make her gain pretty quickly.

zooky · 07-14-13, 11:29 AM

Thanks Amadeus,

I fed her on the 11th with a large weaner rat 51-95g. She took it no problem, from what I was told she was being fed on one mouse every now and then.

What would be a good schedule to get her where she should be every week, two weeks?

rocknhorse76 · 07-14-13, 01:30 PM

She's 6 feet long and only eating mice and weaned rats? That poor thing is underfed!

zooky · 07-14-13, 02:03 PM

Thanks Rocknhorse76,

I got 4 frozen rats from the pet store, the other 3 are larger in size. I read somewhere that the size of feeds should be increased if your Boa is or has been underfed. I just want to get her healthy. I've not had her a week yet, but was handling her for a month prior to me getting her. She is in the same viv and has all the same decor as before. I've just changed the substrate, added a hide and sorted temps/humidity to what it should be. I'm on a learning curve and reading care sheets and sometimes conflicting views on what I should do. I'm looking for all the help I can get.

sweatshirt · 07-14-13, 02:45 PM

Welcome =) thanks for taking her in.

zooky · 07-14-13, 02:51 PM

Thanks Sweatshirt,

I fell in love as soon as I saw her, just want to do what's right for her.

zooky · 07-14-13, 05:11 PM

So what anyone's thoughts on feeding, when is too soon?

She is very active tonight.

RyanReptile · 07-14-13, 06:15 PM

I would personally try feeding her tonight and I would definitely try to get some large rats for her too. Best of luck with her!