Concerns

Cmwells90 · 07-25-13, 11:01 PM

So I have a Boa constrictor that I've had for about a month. I just noticed she had mites which I'm assuming she got from the pet store I picked her up from. She didn't take her first feeding until about 12 days after getting her, which I assumed was because of the change to a new home and all the stress that goes with that. It's now been 13 days since her last feeding and 2 days after we treated her for mites, but she's still not interested in any food, she just ignores any food put in her feeding cage, even before the mite treatment. I'm not sure if she wasn't eating because of all the stress that comes along with mites or maybe because of something else? Should I be worried? The pet store said she's only eaten twice before I got her, so I'm assuming she's only a couple months old. Also they said she was eating frozen before I got her, but I'm starting to think that's not true either.

She's not my first snake and I've checked all my other snakes for mites, thankfully she was still in quarantine and away from them or they may have transferred over

!

I haven't had a baby in a long time and all of my current snakes eat right on schedule so I just want to make sure she's ok!

Mark Taylor · 07-26-13, 06:37 AM

She has eaten once she will eat again don't worry. I have 3 babies that are still yet to eat a first meal since birth, they are not loosing weight and are not showing and signs of illness. I offer once a week and leave the food in there tubs over night.

bcr229 · 07-26-13, 10:37 AM

What's the temperature on her hot spot?

Lankyrob · 07-26-13, 10:46 AM

Well done on the quarantine, personally imwould worry about the mites first and then worry about the feeding as long as the snake is still looking healthy.

MrCaveman · 07-26-13, 12:11 PM

Ya dude treat her with PAM if you havent already. Also, if the water in the water bowl gets cold, you may want to put it slightly over the heat mat because they often soak themselves in water to relieve themselve from the mites. This can be harmful to them if the water is cold because they could easily develop an RI overnight (this has happened to me and I had to deal with mites and RI at once; but I won that battle

. Just make sure that the water isnt too hot, just room temp. I also took out most of the water; enough for him to still drink but not enough for him to soak in if he chose to; that way it was harder for him to immerse himself just in case the water wasnt the right temperature where it could harm him.

Cmwells90 · 07-26-13, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcr229

What's the temperature on her hot spot?

I've got a 80f on the low side and 88 on the warm with her basking spot reaching about 92.

**Aaron_S** · 07-26-13, 01:02 PM

Don't feed in a separate enclosure.

Cmwells90 · 07-26-13, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Don't feed in a separate enclosure.

Why not? I use aspen bedding, soon to be switching to coco husk, and I don't want her to ingest that. Also feeding in the cage associates the cage with food, I'd rather a separate container be associated with food to reduce the risk of biting.

Mikoh4792 · 07-26-13, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmwells90

Why not? I use aspen bedding, soon to be switching to coco husk, and I don't want her to ingest that. Also feeding in the cage associates the cage with food, I'd rather a separate container be associated with food to reduce the risk of biting.

The action of pulling her out could make her associate that with food too.

I feed all my snakes in their enclosures with cocohusk and they have never bit me, except for my adult california king which came to me already aggressive.

If you are worried about ingestion just make sure to dry the food off so the least amount of substrate sticks to it. If the conditions in the cage are correct(heat and humidity) your snake should pass any ingested substrate. Either that or you can place a sheet of paper inside the enclosure and put the prey on that.

Cmwells90 · 07-26-13, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

The action of pulling her out could make her associate that with food too.

Never thought of it that way, I'll see how she does tomorrow (That's when I'm going to try feeding again). Hopefully she eats!

marvelfreak · 07-26-13, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmwells90

Why not? I use aspen bedding, soon to be switching to coco husk, and I don't want her to ingest that. Also feeding in the cage associates the cage with food, I'd rather a separate container be associated with food to reduce the risk of biting.

Then they learn to associate being taking on of their cage with getting fed. Feeding in a separate container actually ups the chance of getting bit when handling the snake outside the cage.

Ddub · 07-26-13, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmwells90

Also feeding in the cage associates the cage with food, I'd rather a separate container be associated with food to reduce the risk of biting.

Who came up with this and why has it been perpetuated for so many years? I've always wondered that as it is counterintuitive. They also say if you don't handle your boas they will associate cage opening with feeding and come after you. I have a whole collection that defies these traditions.

Cmwells90 · 07-26-13, 05:17 PM

Would you advise putting it in the cage and letting her come to it, or should I wake her up and show her it's there? She burrows and doesn't move around the cage much so I'm not sure she'll know it's there.

Mikoh4792 · 07-26-13, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmwells90

Would you advise putting it in the cage and letting her come to it, or should I wake her up and show her it's there? She burrows and doesn't move around the cage much so I'm not sure she'll know it's there.

If I can't see my snakes I will just lift up the hide and dangle the food infront of them. They usually take it. For my shyer snakes (corn and ball) I will kind of move the prey around at the entrance of the hide and let them feel the movements. They usually stick their head out and start chasing it.

smy_749 · 07-26-13, 06:42 PM

If I've already defrosted whatever I'm feeding, and its anywhere in the vacinity of the enclosure, or I've touched it with my hand, I wouldn't stick your hands in the enclosure to lift up any hides or anything. Better use tongs so you don't get nailed and jerk your hand injuring both you and the snake. Doesn't take much for them to get the hint that its feeding time and go into rambo mode.