Here are 3 common reasons Dumerils Boas won't eat:



The cage temperature isn't set properly.

The snake feels stressed.

The Boa is getting ready to shed.



Ideally, you want a Dumerils Boas to have a temperature range of 75-85 degrees. If the temperatures are too cold, the snake won't be interested in eating. If the warm side is too hot, the snake may not use it and still wind up being too cool.



If the Dumerils Boa feels stressed, it won't eat. If you have a snake that won't eat, avoid handling it unnecessarily. Ensure your boa has a hide it feels comfortable in. For a Dumerils Boa to feel comfortable in a hide, the hide has to be small enough that the snake can feel it's body against the inside walls. This will give the snake a sense of security. Lighting can also be a factor that effects your Dumerils stress level. Dumerils Boas are most active at nighttime. Because of this, I feed most of my snakes at night. For finicky eaters, it can be helpful to keep the room dimly lit while feeding your snake. Also, avoid unnecessary movement. If the snake sees you moving around in the background, they may not feel safe enough to eat.



In my experience, Dumerils Boas rarely eat when they're getting ready to shed. If your snake is in shed, it's probably best to simply wait until after it has shed before offering food.





As for your situation in particular, make sure the cage is set up at the proper temperature range of 75-85 degrees, the snake has a suitable hide and a water bowl. Typically, once a baby snake has eaten for the first time, it recognizes that mice are food and feeding will be much easier in the future. I've seen baby Dumerils Boas eat their first meal the same day they were born. I've also had others that took 1-2 months to eat for the first time.



If all other factors are correct, it could be that your Dumerils Boa has never eaten before. Some unscrupulous breeders and pet stores will sell a snake that isn't eating without disclosing this fact. In the time you've had your Baby Dumerils, have you ever found defecation in the cage, or just urine and pasty white urates? If you have never found poop in the cage, either the boa defecated it's last meal before you brought it home, or it hasn't taken a meal yet.



I would start off by leaving a small live fuzzy mouse in with your Baby Dumerils overnight in a dark room. You want one that's small enough it hasn't developed its teeth and claws yet so your snake isn't at risk. I've found that by starting off my new babies with a few meals of live fuzzies, it's much easier to convert them to fresh killed and frozen thawed rodents.



I hope this helps. Try not to worry too much. Even newborn Dumerils Boas can go many months without eating. Just keep offering food each week, and eventually your snake will figure out the rest. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.




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Paul D





www.MoonlightBoas.com

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