baby sand boa not eating

alessia55 · 09-28-11, 11:24 AM

My cousin just got her first snake- a baby sand boa. We bought him at a reptile expo, and the breeder told us that he had eaten 4 times already. He weighs 7 grams. Now, I'm personally a ball python person, so i'm usually a bit lost when it comes to other types of snakes, hence my post.

She has tried feeding it, but it refused to eat. She left him alone with the prey for two hours with no luck. I know that with ball pythons, missing a meal here and there isn't a big deal, and that most snakes can go quite some time without eating. My concern is that i'm used to ball python hatchlings that already weigh 50 grams... and this little KSB only weighs 7 grams!

I know you're all going to ask these questions so here we go: the setup she has is correct for the snake's size, right temps, right humidity, enough hiding spots, and he's on aspen bedding. He is pretty active during the day exploring and climbing over some of his leafy decor stuff. From all the information we've read about KSBs and what we were told from the breeder, nothing about his setup needs fixing. She has left him alone, not bothering him or handling him, except to take him out and try to offer food.

She's going to keep trying to feed him, giving him plenty of time between tries, etc. I was just wondering if anyone else has any additional advice, and if you have experience with hatchling sand boas. Is 7 grams an OK weight for this little guy? He's only about 4 weeks old. Let me know. We would love to get some info from experienced people! Thanks!

Kayla90 · 09-28-11, 11:55 AM

It may just be that he is stressed out from the moving, just give him a few days by himself to get use to everything without bother and then try again...
I see that you say she is taking him out to feed him?? I'd say next time you try, try it with him in his enclosure..

**millertime89** · 09-28-11, 12:46 PM

what Kayla said. The other thing you can try is leave the food on the lid of a butter dish or something similar and leave it in his cage, cover the cage with a blanket/towel and check to see if he ate it the next morning.

alessia55 · 09-28-11, 12:53 PM

Shes going to try doing what you've suggested: putting the pinkie on a small dish inside his cage overnight.

I'm still wondering though: is 7 grams an OK weight right now for his age? Again, he's about 4 weeks old.

alessia55 · 09-28-11, 12:57 PM

Shes going to try doing what you've suggested: putting the pinkie on a small dish inside his cage overnight.

I'm still wondering though: is 7 grams an OK weight right now for his age? Again, he's about 4 weeks old.

ZARADOZIA · 09-28-11, 02:11 PM

Also have her wash & rinse her hands thoroughly before touching any food items and feeding him.

Lotion, scented lotion, hand sanitizer, etc, can transfer the scent to the food. I'm a lotion freak...I learned this one the hard way. Damn their sense of smell!

Gungirl · 09-28-11, 02:45 PM

Ok I know nothing of sand boa's so forgive me if im wrong but wouldn't it be happier on sand than Aspen?

marvelfreak · 09-28-11, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alessia55

Shes going to try doing what you've suggested: putting the pinkie on a small dish inside his cage overnight.

I'm still wondering though: is 7 grams an OK weight right now for his age? Again, he's about 4 weeks old.

This weight is find. They are a lot smaller than Balls.

alessia55 · 09-28-11, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

This weight is find. They are a lot smaller than Balls.

What a relief- thanks!

totheend · 09-28-11, 03:15 PM

I find sand boas are hard to get to eat f/t right away. They usually need live for a while. Best way to feed in in a deli container with substrate (I use aspen chip). Feed a live pink. Leave the pink and the boa in the container for a few hours.

Shmoges · 10-31-11, 11:28 PM

If I ever buy another kenyan it wont be a baby I don't know what my problem is with them but I've had too many wither and die from RI/not feeding problems. I would recommend spending the extra money for a juvenal at least, that way you know you are getting a snake that has ate enough consistently to grow.

BTW Try putting the snake in a small dish with air holes and the food item over night. that way they can't get away from it.

totheend · 11-01-11, 09:31 AM

Shmoges, sorry that you have had such bad luck. I have never had any problems like that with babies. I buy babies that have had at least 3 meals. Were you buying from the same breeder??

alessia55 · 11-01-11, 09:48 AM

I no longer have this baby sand boa. I gave it back to the breeder who gave me no refund and only offered an exchange for another sand boa of the same age for $20. I didn't take the offer. Instead of another sand boa I went with a rosy boa, which was also a mistake: http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/eryci...-rosy-boa.html

Shmoges · 11-01-11, 05:45 PM

Its just sand boas that I have had a problem with, babies and sub adults. Our Corn babies that we have raised have been easy to take care of.

CK SandBoas · 11-01-11, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alessia55

I no longer have this baby sand boa. I gave it back to the breeder who gave me no refund and only offered an exchange for another sand boa of the same age for $20. I didn't take the offer. Instead of another sand boa I went with a rosy boa, which was also a mistake: http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/eryci...-rosy-boa.html

I am so sorry! You just seem to be having the worst luck, not only with the baby sand boa, but now with your new Rosy Boa as well