Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well my 4 1/2 foot 2 year old columbian is eating 2 large rats at a feeding so I decided to try a small rabbit for her this time. She killed it and tried to eat it and it seemed, even though it looked like a challenge, that she would be able to swallow it. However about an hour later when I came back to check up on her the rabbit was just lying at the end of the cage and she was at the oppisite end. Was it too early for me to turn her to rabbits and if so should I give her something other then 2 large rats.

Only 4 1/2 ft long and she's eating two jumbo rats? How often do you feed her? Sounds like you are pushing her a bit. Especially if you are concerned whether or not she can eat the prey item. Remember, it's better to hold back with the food a little than to feed them something too big to digest. The best feeding schedule for a 4 ft boa would be one jumbo rat every other week. If you feel like you are neglecting her with this routine then feed her some smaller prey items on the off weeks. This way, she will grow at a more normal pace and not risk being obese.

I agree with the other post, that seems like alot
of food for a 2 yr old.. my largest 2 yr old is taking
1 small rat..
but anyways..
personally i would NEVER let my boas kill the rabbit, this
is VERY VERY danrgeous!! One or two good kicks from a
rabbit's hind legs could easily disembowl a boa, I only feed
frozen or pre-killed rabbits, please please don't feed live
rabbits to your snake!
Anyways, she may not be taking it for a number of reasons:
1. not really hungry (I have seen, back when I used to feed
live rats, boas kill the rat just because they didn't want it
there or were nervous of it and then leave it and not eat,
they just weren't hungry enough)
2. the rabbit was too big (i only feed small rabbits to my
girls that are over 6 feet)
3. she didn't like the smell (scenting with rats may fix this)
Personally I would hold off until she's bigger and older
before giving rats, but that is just my opinion.

I meant wait until she's bigger and older before giving rabbits
not rats. lol
typing too fast.

I have a 6 1/2 foot female who was eating colossal rats from rodentpro so I decided to try a small 1 lb rabbit. She is normally an aggressive feeder but didnt really seem to show any interest. I wiggled and jiggled it with tongs to no avail. It was not too large for her. I gave her a rat and she ate it instantly. I thawed out another 1 lb rabbit next feeding day and rubbed a rat on it and she gobbled it right up.
I agree that you may be forcing a little too much for a 4 1/2 footer, and you definately should not be feeding live rabbits. I wont even feed live mice unless completely necessary. They may never get hurt, you dont know, but if s/he'll eat frozen thawed- go for it. At LEAST prekilled and use tongs...
It also has a less chance of bacteria, bugs, etc...

Good luck, and I dont know how big your boa is, only that its about 4.5 ft, but if jumbos are not enough, maybe try a colossal rat before jumping to rabbits.
Good luck,
Nicole
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Nicole Gustafson
Coal's Constrictors (formerly Coal's Cold-Blooded Creations - changed to simplify and there is another 'Cold Blooded Creations'...I'm not trying to hide from anyone or anything!
Cook Minnesota

BOAS:
Gavin, Lydia, Hailee, and Jade ~ Dumeril's
Wyatt, Sheena, Shaylee, and Mary Jane ~ Columbian
Desdemona ~ Peruvian
Madeline ~ Surinam
Avery ~ Bolivian

CORNS:
Kiana and Sierra ~ Amel
Casper and Kissa ~ Anery
Tripp and Scarlet ~ Bloodred
Aidan ~ Ghost
Skylar ~ Anery Hurricane
Ariel ~ Striped Amel
Lily ~ Blizzard
Ambur ~ Creamsicle
Neva ~ Snow
Sage ~ Normal

BEARDED DRAGONS:
Divine ~ Silver Pastel
Christopher ~ Sandfire Red x Sandfire Yellow
Baby ~ Snow

CAT:
Morgan ~ Calico Tabby

DOGS:
Maximillion Vasco von Katzel and Len-Mar-'s Lexed Leas ~ AKC German Shepherds

HORSES:
Mateo ~ Palomino Paint Quarter Gelding
Chic ~ 3/4 Quarter 1/4 Arabian Bay Mare
Rayna ~ 7/8 Quarter 1/8 Arabian Palomino Filly
Dallas ~ Palomino Quarter Gelding
Banner ~ Red Dun Quarter Mare
Chance ~ Buckskin Dun Quarter Stud Colt