Boa Question - Page 3

RedtailArmGuy · 07-10-13, 02:28 PM

Very true. Glad I got you guys.

KORBIN5895 · 07-10-13, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ddub

It's also probably worth mentioning that boas don't handle fatty foods such as jumbo retired breeder rats as well as pythons. As far as rats go I stop at larges. If they need something bigger I'll do two larges or throw a rabbit in the mix.

I am interested in why you say this. Can you give more Info?

Ddub · 07-10-13, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

I am interested in why you say this. Can you give more Info?

I first read about it with regards to Zucker rats. Their purpose of application is for insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, metabolic deficiency and genetic obesity, but some suppliers that source their rodents from labs sometimes end up with them and they are loaded with fat. Problems that can arise from feeding boas these types of rats include greasy smelly loose stools, which afterward they can go straight into a shed and loose color from scales making people think they have a calico. I have experienced this personally. On the more extreme side there are a number of breeders I know of that have lost prized boas to these rats. Most suppliers don't use the Zuckers but the retired breeders (jumbos) they sell also have a very high fat content and can have similar results as was the case with my experience. Pythons do not seem to have these issues.

RedtailArmGuy · 07-10-13, 06:57 PM

Update: I took all the substrate out an re hydrated it. Humidity is up about 65%,I did some wiring an
Got everything running. che an heat mat on bottom half 85 solid. Top temp can vary but around 80 on average. 90 solid in the basking area. The tops not gonna ever be as humid,there's no way to hold humidity. I'm considering a glass top possibly. Also I installed led light in cage,an will put in the humidifier tomorrow. I'll put together a diy on it. 50 bucks an it way better than repti-rip off- fogger.

So I'm gonna buy a rat an feed. What's the verdict, are Petsmart jumbos ok. Or feed like a ok Large an a medium? That seems like so much food but I'll listen. Long between swallowing an letting her feed on the second rat?

Ddub · 07-10-13, 07:32 PM

I have already given my lengthy opinion on jumbo rats so I'd go for two large or a large and a medium. How long you wait to feed the 2nd rat depends on what you're feeding. If they are frozen/thawed or pre killed you can toss them in at the same time. If you're feeding live... Well I just wouldn't do that. If memory serves me petsmart does not sell feeders and surely not frozen feeders. If you buy a rat from them it will be live and I believe you have to adopt it as a pet and fill out paperwork. At least that was my experience many moons ago.

Ddub · 07-10-13, 07:45 PM

You're going to find plenty of differing opinions on feeding. This can be a bit confusing for a new keeper. My advice is to think about what your goals are for this snake. Do you want to grow her big? Breed her? Have a non breeding long lived pet? There are different approaches to any of those. Settle on what advice fits your plan and makes the most sense to you.

KORBIN5895 · 07-10-13, 07:54 PM

Thanks for the info ddub. I will look into that more.

RedtailArmGuy · 07-10-13, 08:29 PM

It's petco. My mistake. I done plan in breeding not to say I don't want her healthy. I'll feed a large then a med. She has to strike them,unfortunately the "reptile store" (with there bad info) raised her this way. I've tried the throw it in the box method,no avail. The thought of strike feeding a ten or twelve foot boa is intimidating. I'm glad I'm not there yet.

Also,went to the same store,was told the yellow anaconda was "nice",it struck like 5 times in one
second. Not nice. He was small so the bites didn't hurt but man it scared me so bad I almost dropped him. I've been bit. So am I bonafide now? Lol I'm a real snake keeper!

smy_749 · 07-10-13, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedtailArmGuy

It's petco. My mistake. I done plan in breeding not to say I don't want her healthy. I'll feed a large then a med. She has to strike them,unfortunately the "reptile store" (with there bad info) raised her this way. I've tried the throw it in the box method,no avail. The thought of strike feeding a ten or twelve foot boa is intimidating. I'm glad I'm not there yet.

Also,went to the same store,was told the yellow anaconda was "nice",it struck like 5 times in one
second. Not nice. He was small so the bites didn't hurt but man it scared me so bad I almost dropped him. I've been bit. So am I bonafide now? Lol I'm a real snake keeper!

That would make it right up there with death adder as fastest strike of any snake... Anyways, if they told you the snake was nice and he did that, all flags should have been raise that they are full of ****.

Ddub · 07-10-13, 08:42 PM

I've found hunger to be a great motivator when trying to switch them over to f/t. I've had ones that only ate live when I got them. I kept offering frozen and they would eventually take it. If you ever decide to try and switch her over just toss one in before you go to bed and if she doesn't eat it by morning, throw it away. Wait a week and repeat. Eventually they get hungry enough to start taking them. I have switched over a couple in this fashion without the use of tongs for dangling. Better they just learn to eat it off the cage floor like all the rest of them!

RedtailArmGuy · 07-10-13, 09:04 PM

It struck five times. Obviously not in one second. Lol. The bugger was fast, deff earned some respect from me. my snake eats pre killed. She just has to strike it. I left a rat four 6 hrs once. I'll try the overnight thing tho.

So check this out:

A supposed 14 foot 120lb,Eastern diamond back, found in a bush in AZ. The knife is six inches across. The fangs 3 inches long. It estimated an accurate strike range of 4 to 5 feet.
That's either a good hoax or a freaky f-ing snake!!!

KORBIN5895 · 07-10-13, 09:57 PM

Its fake bro.

Lankyrob · 07-11-13, 03:39 AM

That snake is being held up near the camera whilst the man stands back, makes the snake look huge

bcr229 · 07-11-13, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedtailArmGuy

The tops not gonna ever be as humid,there's no way to hold humidity. I'm considering a glass top possibly.

Until you get the plexiglass top set up you can use a damp towel or Glad Press & Seal on the top to retain humidity. Just keep a corner on opposite sides free to allow some ventilation.

Amadeus · 07-11-13, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

That snake is being held up near the camera whilst the man stands back, makes the snake look huge

Yeah, There was a picture like this with an eastern diamondback last year.....