Novice Snake Owner Questions

Smileythesnake · 10-24-11, 04:58 PM

Hello my reptile friends,

Smiley the snake is a 5 1/2 foot long red tail boa and seems to have 2 issues going on that have us perplexed. I look to all of you for input and advice...

She has turned a really dark color over the past 3 - 4 days. Normally her tail is really dark red and the rest of her is much lighter. Any idea what might cause this? She appears healthy and happy.
She doesn't seem to want to eat. We feed her a medium size rat every 2 weeks and have been trying to feed her for over a week but she shows no interest. When held, she seems her normal inquisative self. Any ideas??

Thanks so much. I would be lost without of all you.

Smiley's Grandmother

Valvaren · 10-24-11, 05:01 PM

Sounds like shedding, have her eyes got a cloudy blue? Leave her alone for a few days, don't poke at her or try to handle her, after a few days she should shed and be back to normal.

infernalis · 10-24-11, 05:03 PM

Going into shed, perfectly normal. Most snakes refuse to eat until after the shed cycle is over.

Gungirl · 10-24-11, 05:03 PM

how long have you had the snake? I would guess shedding also... Just on another note don't offer food more than once a week, it will cause stress.

snake man12 · 10-24-11, 05:08 PM

Yeah my boa gets like that every shed cycle

Snakefood · 10-24-11, 05:30 PM

Ya Khuno and Helios won't eat in blue, but Ananta will!!

alessia55 · 10-24-11, 07:34 PM

Sounds like shedding!! How long have you had the boa?

Terranaut · 10-25-11, 04:18 AM

This is a Boas eye in shed. Sky blue. Ours is in the same boat. Leaving him be and misting his enclosure twice a day. Have you had your snake during a shed yet?

Smileythesnake · 10-25-11, 06:45 AM

We have had her almost 2 years now but she has never refused food or has gotten so dark in color. Her eyes are not cloudy at the moment but I have learned there are sheds where her eyes only cloud up hours before she sheds and others where she clouds up for a week.

She looks healthy otherwise. Good weight, shiney skin and her personality seems to be good.

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like shedding is the most likely candidate and we will leave her be and see what happens.