boa feeding problem???

[belovedboas]

I have male BCI (Hector) thats about 5.5-6 ft and he won't eat!! it's been about a month..3-4 feedings and it's getting frustrating..and concerning, I have never had an issue with him before always had a very strong feeding response, It could be just me but he seems like he is developing some loose skin!!!I am stuck in the middle is because it's that time of year with him being male...I know this common for them to go off feed this time of year, also I have Rocco (another boa) directly under him and Rocco has never been sexed!


Hector's conditions:

~temps~
hot side: 92.3
cool side: 83.5
humidity: between 50-60%
viv size: 4 ftL x 3ftW x 2ftH
Viv type: wood with plexi glass doors
heat source: heatpad with heatlamp only for added heat when I need it!!

Unable to get a recent pic of him up so I can show ya what I mean with his skin but I will work on it!! Any replies are welcome I'm getting worried even though it has not been an extremely long time (a month)

[Lankyrob]

A month is nothing for most snakes - tho if he is showing signs of weight loss it may be worth getting him checked out. Am sure others will add to this - pics will probably help with more in depth answers. I dont have Boa's so cant say whether the husbandry is ok or not.

[Will0W783]

Hi belovedboas, I would not be concerned yet. A month isn't long enough to really cause problems unless there is an illness that is causing him to not eat. Is he just a normal BCI or a morph of any kind? I have to ask because there are some genetic issues that can crop up in some morphs that could cause weightloss and rapid decline.
However, it's possible he's going into shed. Larger boas sometimes have a very slow shed cycle and the first signs can be stiff, loose skin, even before they begin to cloud up.
Does he have any signs of respiratory illness? Get him out and see if he moves smoothly and properly. Does he seem to have good muscle tone under the skin?
If all checks out ok, don't sweat it. Adult boas can go 6 months to a year without eating and have no lasting ill effects. Best of luck with him, hope he starts chowing down again soon for you.

[belovedboas]

Thanks Rob and willow .....I think the wrinkles I seen was the way he was laying lol (worry wart lol) but with him being such a positive feeder I was beginning to wonder!!I want to get on it while I can oh and I dont have a cam at the moment I'm working on it!! He is a normal BCI Willow and hes as active as ever, there are no signs of an RI, no whistling, breathing heavy no bubbles etc...and hes still got a nice stout muscular shape (just had him out, strong as hell lol) honestly other than not eating he's great a lil too active for his normal behavior but that is about it!!

with me having Rocco directly under him if he is a she could that possibly be it??? I'm still learning when it comes to breeding behaviors but I thought maybe a female under him would be an option

[Will0W783]

Some males will go off feeding even when there are no sexually active females in the vicinity. In some cases they just seem to know that it's that time of year and stop eating. Other than my big ol' boy Voodoo, I don't have any other males that do it. I have a large, breeding size female triple het moonglow BCI in my room, but my two males are still eating like champs. My male Stimson's python ate the entire time he was in with his mate breeding. You just never know with them.
But if all else is well, I would not worry. Don't sweat it until 5 or 6 months have gone by, he loses significant amounts of weight, or he seems sick. He'll eat when he's ready...they always do.

[belovedboas]

Thanks guys!!! I'll keep ya updated

[shaunyboy]

the skin thing may be him coming up to a shed

or dehydration

or you could have as said just been worrying over nothing and it was just the way he was sitting

pictures would help us figure it out mate

cheers shaun

[belovedboas]

Hey guys he just shed yesterday!!! havent tryed to feed him yet!! hopin for the best

[Damion930]

Got my fingers crossed for u

[TeaNinja]

my big dumerils has seemed more active then usual (for a nocturnal animal) and he hasn't seemed interested in food in the SLIGHTEST for the last month or so. i have the feeling he's been searching for a mate. and i also switched from my 75 watt bulb in the winter back to a 100 watt a few weeks ago, so i have the feelin he thinks its time!!!

[belovedboas]

I think that is Hector's problem aswell NINJA......... not eating for me againnnn !!tryed last night even left it with him for a bit......it's definetely frustrating with me feeding f/t


Thanks Damiion and everyone else for your support...I'm sure he will eat when he wants too fingers crossed for sure!!

[belovedboas]

I noticed hectors been alot more agile lately...as the nice weather is setting in where I live.....So I figured I would try to feed him...and I am pleased to tell you he ate a jumbo rat for me this morning......pounded it back lol so releaved

[Damion930]

That's awesome news glad to hear it

[CanadianEryx]

Congrats on the feed! Here's hoping he keeps doing it! Best of luck to you!!