Female boa won't eat - how to diagnose why

greengriff · 05-23-17, 04:40 AM

She's not eaten for more than a fortnight. Until a few days ago she shared her space with a male. I've now separated them following advice received on here.

She's not interested in eating. Are there any steps to follow to try and diagnose what the issue is?

Might she be pregnant, and if so, how do I tell?

Thanks!

Azrt · 05-23-17, 04:53 AM

How long ago did you move her to her own tank? She could be stressed and adjusting to the new set up. Are the temps/humidity proper? If all his was recently then I'd leaver her alone a bit to adjust to everything

greengriff · 05-23-17, 09:32 AM

It's only been a few days, but she's in the same viv as she was before, just without the male, and with a dividing section so the viv now has 2 'floors'. Temp and humidity is fine.

dannybgoode · 05-23-17, 11:31 AM

It's unusual for a boa not to take food but by the same token 2 weeks is nothing. From memory theses are adults right?

I'd leave her completely alone for a week - no handling, no constant peeking in on her etc - then try again. Bear in mind she could comfortably go months without food so don't panic yet.

Have you changed the prey she has been eating either type or size?

bigsnakegirl785 · 05-23-17, 09:43 PM

It's very possible she's still very stressed out if she's been housed with another snake. Cohabitation can stress snakes out tremendously, and could potentially take a few months for her to feel comfortable enough to eat.

Depending on her age/size, she could even be gravid, which would make handling and feeding dangerous (at least in the last month or two of gravidity). Seasoned breeders may be able to give you some advice on how to determine if she's gravid without the breeding records that makes estimation a little easier.

Make sure to give any new arrivals a minimum of 6-7 days before offering food in the future, and do not begin handling until they eat 1-2 meals without refusals. If they refuse a meal, I'd tack on another few meals. Since she's refused once, I wouldn't handle her until she eats 2-3 meals in a row without refusals.

greengriff · 05-24-17, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

It's very possible she's still very stressed out if she's been housed with another snake. Cohabitation can stress snakes out tremendously, and could potentially take a few months for her to feel comfortable enough to eat.

Depending on her age/size, she could even be gravid, which would make handling and feeding dangerous (at least in the last month or two of gravidity). Seasoned breeders may be able to give you some advice on how to determine if she's gravid without the breeding records that makes estimation a little easier.

Make sure to give any new arrivals a minimum of 6-7 days before offering food in the future, and do not begin handling until they eat 1-2 meals without refusals. If they refuse a meal, I'd tack on another few meals. Since she's refused once, I wouldn't handle her until she eats 2-3 meals in a row without refusals.

OK thank you. I will start a new thread requesting help identifying pregnancy.