Boa Question

RedtailArmGuy · 07-09-13, 04:00 PM

Hey everybody,my names Kyle. I'm a first time snake owner from Cali,an I have a
4 yr old six foot,Columbian Redtail bci. "Mila" she is so awesome. The friendliest snake
I've ever seen. The problem is I feed her in a 4 week cycle. An since her last feed,no poop. I feed frozen large rats, in a separate tub. The temps are 75-85,humidity slightly low at 50-70% on average. My questions:

1. If shes dropping urates should I worry
2. She craps alot when she sheds,would her waiting three months after three meals be Bad?
3. She doesn't look bloated,show attitude or energy differeince,I tried soaking, how obvi
ous would the bloating be.

I really Love my snake. She adores people an the last thing I want is for her to be in pain,
Any other advice would be appreciated. I've upped temps slightly an increased humidity.
How long/ how many meals should it take before I really worry.

This is how much I love my snake:

Mikoh4792 · 07-09-13, 04:23 PM

I think dropping urates is normal... all of my snakes only urinate sometimes and sometimes I will see both urine and feces.

I don't know about older boas but I think the hottest side should be about 5 degrees higher. humidity seems fine to me however I think 50% might be on the low side. Try keeping it around 60% at the lower end.

Other than that I can't comment.

Mark Taylor · 07-09-13, 04:26 PM

Nice tat, but would rather see the snake. Temps are to low and you did not say what you upped them to so we are not clear on the problem.

Amadeus · 07-09-13, 04:30 PM

A large rat every every month for a six foot boa is a little small. She might just not have enough to let go. In that case the next one should be, well "large"

bcr229 · 07-09-13, 05:11 PM

My six foot female BCI takes a large rat every week.

Mark Taylor · 07-09-13, 05:11 PM

Larger, I want to see pics or get proper info before I go giving advice never know when your wrong.

Mark Taylor · 07-09-13, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcr229

My six foot female BCI takes a large rat every week.

Same here now she has just had babies, she was on giant rats previous. I would rather get her back to the size she was slowly no plans on breading again this year.

Ddub · 07-09-13, 05:39 PM

A solitary late or missed poop is typically nothing to worry about. What are your cage temps now? Please include cool/warm ambient temps, hot spot, and the temp of the room the snake is in, not just the range of 75-85 which could mean a couple different things. How are you measuring these temps?

Mikoh4792 · 07-09-13, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ddub

How are you measuring these temps?

and how are you controlling them?

Ddub · 07-09-13, 05:45 PM

^^ thanks I missed that one!

Mark Taylor · 07-09-13, 05:47 PM

The sooner you Give us details the sooner we can help.

Just like to so hello and welcome.

KORBIN5895 · 07-09-13, 11:33 PM

Feeding a six foot boa every week is a little much.

RedtailArmGuy · 07-09-13, 11:34 PM

I monitor my temps using a hydrofarm grow may controller,very simple,very stable. The heat in my tank comes from a mixture of a red 80watt bulb an a 100watt che. I also have a heat mat in the lower section of the tank. I built my tank so it gas a warm sun room an a cooler tropical room. The temps in the upper are 70-80 warm side 60ish cool side. The lower level remains at about 75 degrees with humidity being around 50%. I bathed her again tonight an just built a humidifier today. Will post pics soon.

I've had conflicting info on feeding. In general, is a large eat every there to four weeks enough for a 6 foot bci. She's long but not a fatty. I want her to be healthy not nessacary huge either. Some ppl say more,some less. I need info!

KORBIN5895 · 07-09-13, 11:34 PM

Feeding a six foot boa every week is a little much.

Now that being said I would never feed a six foot boa something as small as a large. My 4-5 footers are eating XL or bigger every 2-4 weeks.

KORBIN5895 · 07-09-13, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedtailArmGuy

I monitor my temps using a hydrofarm grow may controller,very simple,very stable. The heat in my tank comes from a mixture of a red 80watt bulb an a 100watt che. I also have a heat mat in the lower section of the tank. I built my tank so it gas a warm sun room an a cooler tropical room. The temps in the upper are 70-80 warm side 60ish cool side. The lower level remains at about 75 degrees with humidity being around 50%. I bathed her again tonight an just built a humidifier today. Will post pics soon.

I've had conflicting info on feeding. In general, is a large eat every there to four weeks enough for a 6 foot bci. She's long but not a fatty. I want her to be healthy not nessacary huge either. Some ppl say more,some less. I need info!

She looks really good to me. I would bump her up a size or two if you plan to keep her at a monthly feeding schedule. I will get you a pic of my 6.5' female eating a rabbit.

You really need to bump all of your temps by a lot. I would also recommend replacing the screen top with something solid to help hold humidity. Your current humidity is kinda low in the bottom and I guarantee it is way low in the too half. Your snake shouldn't have to chose between proper temps and proper humidity.