Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well I caught my suriname looking up at the ceiling twice today. This is the first time I've ever seen her do it. The first time, just her head was staring at the ceiling and the second the front part of her body was up, while she looked up.

Another thing is that she always has to cling on to something. Like when I take her out of her cage she will cling on to anything, then when I have her out she clings to my hand. If I set her down she won't move unless her tail or body is wrapped around something.

When I put her back to her cage though she slithers completly normal. She is about 14months old and I have had her since she was 5months old. Ever since I got her she has always clinged on to something, so that isn't new. The looking up twice today is. Should I be worried?
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1.0 Columbian (BCI)
0.1 Suriname (BCC)
0.1 Longicauda (BCL)
0.1 Bolivian (BCA)
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat Snake

I dunno everything seems fine to me... it may just be going up thinking it can get to the top of the cage or something and the clinging thing... I don't think i've ever had a boa that didn't try to cling to something.. I don't think it's anything to worry about really...
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2.0 Cats
1.0 Chihuahua mix
0.1 Guyana Red Tail
0.2 Columbian Red Tails
0.2 Leopard Geckos
0.0.1 Sulcata Tortoise
0.0.1 Leopard Tortoise
1.1.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
0.0.1 Western Hognose
1.3 Sugar Gliders
0.1 Chinchilla

If your boa is consistently keeping it's head and and the front of it's body up it could be sign of respiratory infection. Read here for more...

http://www.redtailboas.com/at_home/at_home.shtml

good luck.

- Damian

I looked at the syptoms, and the only one she has is the raised body. I hope its resp infection, at least that is curable.
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1.0 Columbian (BCI)
0.1 Suriname (BCC)
0.1 Longicauda (BCL)
0.1 Bolivian (BCA)
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat Snake

I woke up this mourning and I saw my longicuada staring at the ceiling for about 5 min after I started watching her. I am really worried. Both are eating good, and can right themselves when turning on their back, seem normal except for this "star gazing" I am going to take her to the vet sometime this week, but if this IBD it would seriously crush me.
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1.0 Columbian (BCI)
0.1 Suriname (BCC)
0.1 Longicauda (BCL)
0.1 Bolivian (BCA)
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat Snake

Ok just to be safe in case it is a resperatory infection... turn the heat up to about 90... get it high.. get the humidity down low... no need to run to the vet yet... turn the heat way up... don't turn it up too high... like I said somewhere around 90- maybe 95... get the humidity low... see if it stops doing it within a week... if not then you may want to see a vet about it since it's doing it so often...
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2.0 Cats
1.0 Chihuahua mix
0.1 Guyana Red Tail
0.2 Columbian Red Tails
0.2 Leopard Geckos
0.0.1 Sulcata Tortoise
0.0.1 Leopard Tortoise
1.1.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
0.0.1 Western Hognose
1.3 Sugar Gliders
0.1 Chinchilla

I would recomend taking them to the vet ASAP if they are acting different and they are showing signs of a RI. I would also raise the overall (can't sp ambeint) temp to 90 and lower the humitity. When my snakes are acting strange, a trip to the vet never hurts and it might really be worth it. When they are looking up, is the head tilted to the side or just straight up. Also, When my girl had a RI her tounge came out very slow and the tip didn't seperate because the the muscus. If you really think they have RI an antibiotic is well worth it, at least in my opinion. Just so you know I am not a vet and these are just suggestions of what I would do. As far as IBD it is possible but I wouldn't worry yet. Maybe just move the two acting strange to another room and feed and water them last just to be safe. Also find a vet that will do a IBD test from the liver I believe. If one happens to pass (which I highly doubt) its nice to already know where you are going to take him. And if you can't take him that day put him in the refrig. not the freezer. Hope this helps.
Mike
Mike