Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought a Columbian Boa.

I just want to know if I am doing everything correct so far.

I have the humidity at about 65%
Temperature is around 80 on the warm side where the thermometer is. (I use a basking lamp, and I have an under the tank heater. So I think it's actually warmer than the thermometer says.)

The tank is 10g, the snake is only a little over a foot long I'd say.

I just got it yesterday, no name, no idea of the gender.

The substrate I'm using came in a brick, that you soak in water for 30 minutes, it then is like a ton of dirt, that you ring out and place in the tank. I have a bunch of moss in there, a log for climbing, and a hide.

So far my Columbian has basically stayed under the hide for the past 24 hours, save for when I take it out of the cage.

I tried to feed it today, but no luck. I believe this is just because it's in a new environment.

Only concern I have is I noticed there is a bump on one side of its mouth, which is not on the other side. I have no idea what this is. I am thinking of finding an exotic pet vet around here and taking it to them.

What should I be feeding it? The guy I got it from said he was feeding it pinky's, I think it could go for something larger than that.

Any comments would be appreciated

Things sound OK for now.

Here are my suggestions.
First, get a temperature gun (about $20 on ebay) and find out the exact temeratures. Your hot side needs to be hotter, but by your description of your setup, it may already be good. Go to riobravoreptiles.com for some good specifics.

Your substrate is good, but I would look into getting a larger cage asap. For now it should be fine, but very soon it will be much too small. A good rule of thumb is one cubic foot of cage for each foot of snake. Best thing to do is buy or build a 2'x4' enclosure and you will be set for life unless you happen to grow a monster.

As far as feeding ... hold off for at least a week. Let the snake get used to the new setup and dont offer anything for at least a week. A baby boa should be able to handle a rat pup as his first meal. Often it is difficult to come across them, so a hopper or crawler mouse would be about the same. I would sugest getting him on rats as soon as possible as that is what he will be eating for the majority of his life. I highly recommend using frozen thawed prey items weather you get them from a reptile show (usually the best and cheapest way) or from some other source such as the internet.

Lastly about the lump. Sounds like it could be something to worry about and I would deffinately take him for a checkup. If it is a problem and you have only had him a day or so, the place you got him from may cover the expenses. Either way a lump is not usually something to overlook.

Good luck.

>>I just bought a Columbian Boa.
>>
>>I just want to know if I am doing everything correct so far.
>>
>>I have the humidity at about 65%
>>Temperature is around 80 on the warm side where the thermometer is. (I use a basking lamp, and I have an under the tank heater. So I think it's actually warmer than the thermometer says.)
>>
>>The tank is 10g, the snake is only a little over a foot long I'd say.
>>
>>I just got it yesterday, no name, no idea of the gender.
>>
>>The substrate I'm using came in a brick, that you soak in water for 30 minutes, it then is like a ton of dirt, that you ring out and place in the tank. I have a bunch of moss in there, a log for climbing, and a hide.
>>
>>So far my Columbian has basically stayed under the hide for the past 24 hours, save for when I take it out of the cage.
>>
>>I tried to feed it today, but no luck. I believe this is just because it's in a new environment.
>>
>>Only concern I have is I noticed there is a bump on one side of its mouth, which is not on the other side. I have no idea what this is. I am thinking of finding an exotic pet vet around here and taking it to them.
>>
>>What should I be feeding it? The guy I got it from said he was feeding it pinky's, I think it could go for something larger than that.
>>
>>Any comments would be appreciated
-----
- Jason F.

I would also agree that your hot side isn't hot enough. It needs to be in the mid to upper 80's.

Other than that everything sounds good for now. You will need a bigger cage/habitat soon though.

As far as the bump is concerned you should have it looked at. It could just be some bedding lodged in side the mouth or it could be some sort of infection etc. Either way you need a good vet to take a peek at it.