Boa very active but wont eat?Any Ideas?

Tom Cat · 01-02-04, 04:03 PM

Hi, I'm hoping someone can shed some light my delemma, I have a 6' male Columbian Boa that hasnt eaten in two monthes, I also have a 6' female in the same cage that is eating like a horse? Although the male hasnt eaten in a while, its extremley active and is constrantly streched out to full lenghth and roaming all over the cage. I've tried everything to get it too eats, from small rats to its regular food F/T rabbits?

Any assistance or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You, Tom

hip · 01-02-04, 04:22 PM

Well it is breeding season for BCI so it is possable that the male has gone off the food because he is with a female. It would seem that she is not receptive yet, it is probably consuming him. Boa's should be kept alone as they can stress out if housed together. The description above could also be a sign of stress for the male as well. Can you imagine being cooped up with a female all the time,no privacy to speak of and not gettin none on top of it all. Lucky he has not started binge drinking and hanging out in strip clubs LOL(sorry could not resist that little crack). Best advice seperate them give him a week or two to mellow out and he should start feeding again just feed smaller prey than normal for the first few feedings to allow his stomach to get back up to speed.

Hip

Tom Cat · 01-02-04, 06:22 PM

Thanks Hip, the scenerio you're describing sounds way to familar, you know...18...cant dance...bar full of lovelies...ha,ha. Sounds like he's just reached puberty and doesnt know what to do with himself. Anyway, interestingly enough I talked to a friend who I sold a female to years ago, its eight feet and is doing the exact same thing, I think I'll put them together and see what happens. (PS - I was searching the Net and couldnt find anything on this problem, but what you 're saying makes good sense as they've always been in the same cage but I guess they just came of age.) Thanks again for your advise, I'll keep you posted on any developments , but in the meantime I guess i'll be building a new cage.

djnzlab · 01-02-04, 06:36 PM

HI,
I read a post about a male that was so love struck he had to be moved to another room ..
They seem to know when its time to mate...
Doug
I ve also read the females are more receptive to males if seperated and then re-intraduced for the breeding time ,, if raised together she may not want to mate with that male...
geeze.....

Linds · 01-02-04, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by djnzlab
if raised together she may not want to mate with that male...
geeze.....

LOL wouldn't blame her... be like hooking up with your brother

BOAS_N_PYTHONS · 01-08-04, 10:58 AM

LINDS:

LOL, funny stuff........ahhhh sis get back in the truck (hill billy foreplay).....LOL.

Cya...

Tony

djc3674 · 01-08-04, 11:22 AM

I'm in the same situation. My 7' male has been sharing an enclosure with an 8 1/2 ft female (both BCI) and neither of them will eat. The first week they were together, she ate and he didnt. Since then, both refuse. Ive seen courting and possible copulation, not sure really. Her mid body has swelled some, but not sure if she is prego or maybe ovulating. This is my first attempt at breeding. He doesn't seem as interested anymore in trying to "get some"

I am picking up a 75 gal tank tonight from a friend, so I can seperate for a couple of weeks, see if they will eat, then re-introduce again.

BTW Tom Cat...a snake can go for quite a few months without eating. I wouldn't worry at all right now. I have a BP that hasnt eaten since Sept. If he follows the same course as last year, he wont eat til May.

BOAS_N_PYTHONS · 01-08-04, 11:27 AM

DJC3674:

Not sure when it comes to feeding if your removing any of the boa while trying to feed, if not I do not recommend feeding in same cage together at all. What I do is remove males for up to 10 hours from females. As soon as I take the male out I give him something to eat not to filling but a meal. I may try female on a smaller meal to help her out through this breeding system. After 8 - 10 hours I will put male back and leave them alone till another 8 - 10 days for a short meal again.

Cya...

Tony

djc3674 · 01-08-04, 11:47 AM

no I do not try to feed them when together. I have a rubbermaid I put one in, but it's not set up to be used as an enclosure. I figured seperating them for atleast a week might get them eating again. I'm more concerned about the female eating, and I think she might be a little stressed, she was trying to get out the other night. I think she might need a break from him.

BOAS_N_PYTHONS · 01-08-04, 11:50 AM

DJC3674:

If that is the case with female looking stressed and wanting to escape then remove male for longer than a week, if female calms down a bit reintroduce but if female looks really mellow then she may be gravid already.

Cya...

Tony

snakey · 02-01-04, 03:42 AM

I agree it's probably the hormone thing, but it is also possible he could have a bowel obstruction and is moving around to try to encourage a bowel movement. Just a thought.