Can a stunted boa still grow?

[Moreau]

I just brought home a four year old female (apparently) boa that is just barely four feet long. She lived in a 20 long tank and was fed sporadically. I now have her in a proper cage and will give food more often.

If a boa is stunted for so long is there a chance she can still get a proper size? She is no thicker than my carpet pythons.

[Minkness]

I feel for ya man. I'm dealing with the same thing with my new BP and had the same question. I was told that while it may take a little longer, they can usually still reach a 'full adult' size. Granted, I am merely parroting what was told to me, not expressing experience.

[bigsnakegirl785]

If she's meant to get bigger, chances are she will. At 4 years old, she's not done growing yet. If she's a rescue, you could also have a younger or older boa than what you think.

Do you have any pictures of the snake, and a weight on it?

[Moreau]

I have no weight, but here are a few pictures. She is in blue right now. And the hand in the picture is a child, so she would look even smaller if that was my hand.

[reptiledude987]

I have a boa I rescued as well who was in similar conditions as well. I dont anticipate him getting as long as he should but hes at least up to proper weight for the length he is.

[Albert Clark]

Good looking boa in spite of the nutritional deficiencies.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Doesn't look underweight in the slightest, so I'm fairly sure you can rule out it being stunted.

I'd say either the snake is younger than you think, it's a slow grower (which can happen), or it's just not in its genes to get that large. It could be a dwarf locale mix, or its parents were just really small.

It could have low muscle tone, which would come from cramped conditions and sporadic meals, but it's about the girth you'd want to see. If it feels too light picking it up, just give it rats and plenty of exercise. My boa was on the lighter side, and he was 3-4 lbs at that size, I don't remember exactly.