Hi everyone,

My husband and I are considering taking in a rescue boa. The story on this snake is that right now she belongs to a coworker of mine who is scared to death of her... not a snake fan. But the snake was dumped on her by an ex boyfriend who brought her over, then left her and skipped town. My coworker has been taking care of her, but knows that she isn't doing everything right, and really feels like she can't give this snake a good home. Right now she's trying to sell her, but has been trying for weeks and hasn't had any promising offers... most of the people who have come to look at her have been afraid of her. She'll give her to the reptile rescue if she has to, but has put money into her for vet bills, food, and shelter and would like to get some of it back by selling her.

Hubby and I have always loved snakes. We both work with large constrictors (and small ones) at the zoo where we volunteer... using them in educational programs. Out of all the snakes we have, our boa is my favorite. So we are thinking about taking the snake from her... we're planning on offering her $75 for the snake with the heat lamp (we already have a large aquarium, just need to buy a locking screen for it)

She (snake) has seen the vet and was probe sexed as a female. But since then, she has gone completely off her food. I've been researching to help her find the reason, and another coworker of mine, who does reptile rescue, has been working with her to help find solutions. Among our suggestions, a feeding box and better regulated temperature.

I'm no snake expert, though I've been learning as much as I can about them. I have a green iguana, who is spoiled rotten, so I'm not exactly new to reptiles.

I do have one specific question, though: this snake is accustomed to eating live, but I know that live food isn't the best for them. While she was in my coworker's care, she was attacked by a mouse. If I take her, I plan on feeding her prekilled prey, most likely frozen (then thawed to room temp, of course). So my question is, am I going to have a problem getting her to eat prekilled? And if I do use frozen mice, should I supplement with vitamins? Which kind? My iguana uses RepCal with no Vit D or Phos, and Herptivite.

Any other tips or suggestions you might have for me would be very helpful. The snake is still pretty small... about 2, 2.5'.

Thanks a bunch in advance,
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~Alika~
1.0.0 green iguanas
0.1.0 cockatiels
1.0.0 senegal parrots
0.1.0 blue-fronted amazons
0.0.1 red belly piranha

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