my boa wont eat!

urd · 01-31-04, 06:38 PM

Hi, i just got a common boa and it was eating readily at the store but since then it hasnt eaten and that was 14 days ago. i thought it may have been down to stress becuase many of my other snakes had the same proglem but surely it should have gotten over tha by now? has anyone got any tips on enticing it to eat? any advice would be greatly apreciated, Thanx

Nick

t-dot · 01-31-04, 07:23 PM

use a butter container with lid poke holes on the lid put ur boa and the food in their and leave it over night i had the same problem with my solomon ground boa's it took me a month to feed them so u should do alright ~1 what are u feeding them live or frozen ?? try using live in the container lol~!

JonD · 01-31-04, 07:32 PM

Without knowing any of your particulars, there can be many reasons why it won't eat....Their inclosure temps, type of enclosure, humidity levels all play a part. You mention that you have had this problem with many other snakes. What other snakes do you keep? Usually once everything is in order, they are eating machines... And T-dot, a butter container is too small for a BCI.

urd · 01-31-04, 07:37 PM

i am using a rearing tank at the moment(about 2' by 1' by 1'). Temps = Heat matt- 85, basking lamp 95 and the rest of the tank is at room temp with a bowl in which to soak. The other snakes i keep are corns, garters and royals. thanks for the input all

t-dot · 01-31-04, 07:51 PM

the butter container was just a example ~!!!

urd · 01-31-04, 07:57 PM

how long can they actually go without food?(safely, without the need for force feeding?)

tHeGiNo · 01-31-04, 08:01 PM

First, you need to relax. This isn't a big deal, and your patience is needed before anything. For starters, give your snake at least a week before you try feeding again. The ride home and change in environment was stressful enough, you continuously trying to feed him is making the situation even worse.

Make sure he has a hide. Your temperatures seem ok, however you might want to lower the basking spot a few degrees. Leave the snake alone for at least a week, with no handling or feeding attemps. At this point, try feeding again. It is crucial you give the snake a period of time for acclimation.

In regards to force feeding, do not even consider nor think of that at this point. It is out of the question, a period of acclimation and I bet everything will be perfectly settled. Hope that helps.

urd · 01-31-04, 08:07 PM

it helps alot, thanx. i wasnt considering force feeding, it has never come to that even with my royals and they tend to be little s***s to get eating lol! thanx for the help all

tHeGiNo · 01-31-04, 08:24 PM

No problem! Just wanted to make it clear that force feeding is not an option yet.

Derrick · 01-31-04, 08:33 PM

just a question. Do you trust them weel enough at the store? Are you sure it was eating fine there? just a thought

snakey · 02-01-04, 02:27 AM

Some boas are not real happy about brite light. And beeing in a new place with activity around may just have him stressed out. Take a towel or blanket and cover the cage {watch out for your' heat source}, Spray it with water and leave him alone for at least 48 hrs. This will help in several ways. It will raise humidity, wich is very low this time of year. It will give him some alone time to relax a bit, and it will dim the light a bit. After he starts feeding regularly, you can gradualy uncover the cage,{ a little bit every day} until it is totaly exposed. Ive used this method on my female indigo and they are notorious for going on hunger strike for no apparent reason. It worked very well and she is now a big beautiful lap snake. Your cage may just be in to bright a location. Try darker. Oh yes ... I would NEVER leave prey with a snake unatended especialy not over night. Even if it is dead. Snakes are preditors not scavengers, and they were desinged to eat FRESH meat ,...NOT carion. And we all know what happens with live prey,...right? Good luck man.