Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is her 2nd pregnancy. She had 17 babies last year.

She ate a few times last year but this year she hasn't eaten
once since before she mated.

I'd like to get her to eat if at all possible. Anyone have any
useful tips?

She has been completely disinterested in food so far. I'll try
again this Saturday.

it is to my knowledge that females often go off feed during pregnancy. this is the reason you are not supposed to breed unless the female has proper weight, partially due to the fact that they often go off feed. if your boa was of proper weight before breeding then you should not worry about not feeding during pregnancy as it is common. offer much smaller then usual for meals.
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- Jason F.

She was pretty plump & healthy prior to breeding, but like I
wrote before she did eat a few times during her 1st pregnancy
so I was hoping to get some food in her this time as well...

I know some boas feed while pregnant, so I wanted to see if I
could get any tips that might work for me...

just make sure you are offering smaller then usual food items.
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- Jason F.

If your trying to feed pre-killed/ft (which I hope you are), follow the advice of others and make sure the meal is about half the normal size. Also, I used to dangle the meal in front of the Boa, and if it wouldn't strike it, I'd take it away. Gravid females don't really like to strike and coil, so instead try leaving the meal in front of the Boa on the floor of the cage for a couple of hours without checking on her or disturbing her. Maybe put a towel in front of her cage. If your using aspen or Cypress, then lay the meal on the lid of a rubbermaid tub or something like that. She may just need more time and privacy. Good luck, and don't worry. I've had the same scenerio before - it's really no biggie.
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I'm just the snake room janitor

a little 1 cent tidbit. Don't give up on her. I had one that refused most of the time, but did eat a few times during her gestation. I would leave a little snack with her overnight, every few days, when I fed some of the others. A few times she accepted my offering - not what *I* would have preferred - but better than nothing, from my doting mommy perspective

>>If your trying to feed pre-killed/ft (which I hope you are), follow the advice of others and make sure the meal is about half the normal size. Also, I used to dangle the meal in front of the Boa, and if it wouldn't strike it, I'd take it away. Gravid females don't really like to strike and coil, so instead try leaving the meal in front of the Boa on the floor of the cage for a couple of hours without checking on her or disturbing her. Maybe put a towel in front of her cage. If your using aspen or Cypress, then lay the meal on the lid of a rubbermaid tub or something like that. She may just need more time and privacy. Good luck, and don't worry. I've had the same scenerio before - it's really no biggie.
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>>I'm just the snake room janitor

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Linda Hedgpeth
lindafh@frontiernet.net
Sierra Serpents