Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi - Can anyone tell me wether or not I should be too concerned.
I have a female Arabesque, who has now not eaten since the begining of November. She is a 2004 boa and not been cooled.
She appears healthy - infact it looks like she is actually "searching" for food. I have tried slightly warming the feed(rat) and wiggiling it about but to no avail. I dont really want to give her a live rat ( I fear the damage the rat may cause) .How long should I leave it before I become I take her to the vet because of her not feeding.
any advice appreicated.
Alan

n/p
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Caden Chapman
slithering.serpents@gmail.com

Hi ambient temp of the room is 80o and hotspot of cage temp is 92, coolest spot of cage 84o.
Thanks

congrats your temps are good. Usually that is the problem. Your boa is only a 2 year old, and female so it isn't the breeding season interfering. There are lots of things to try besides tease feeding:

1. Feed just after dusk, this is when boas are most active because they feel safe under the cover of nightfall
2. Cover the cage completely, drop the f/t in front of the hide and leave, and don't disturb the boa until morning
3. Try different prey (small rabbit perhaps, boas love rabbits)
4. Scenting the prey with chicken broth
5. Feed in a paper pag (better for smaller snakes but worth a try)
6. Try wetter and dryer prey item, warmer and cooler prey items, and different colored prey items
7. Don't hang around to see if the snake eats, leave the room.

Boas can go a long time without eating. Have you had this boa a long time or not? If not, then ask the former owner how the snake was fed and imitate that. If you've had her a long time exactly what and how was she eating before?

Good luck,
Caden

Hi Caden, thanks for your reply. I have had her approx 8 months.
when I first got her- she was coming out of the cage to get her dinner! I will try all what you say - I have a small rabbit in freezer I guesss I will giver her another week and try her on that. I have tried to feed her at dusk - night - but no luck.
Caden hope you dont mind but here is another few questions.
I have just got two female nics. I They have both shed very poorly. when the first one shed I noticed how bad it was. So as soon as the other nic showed signs of going into shed - I misted her 3 times a day. Anyhow - yes she has shed a little better but - She has retained one eye cap - what advice would you give for this retained eye cap .Also do nics in genral have poor sheds. I ask this as I have another 20 Boas all BCI.s shed no problem.
Thanks
Alan

Nics are BCIs too.
I've only had Colombians and BCCs, no Nics.

Do you have an aquarium with a screen top? Ifso that's why your not getting the humidity the boas need for good sheds. Cover the top and mist three times a day, and get a humidity meter. Shoot for spikes up to 60% at least twice a day.
For now force the snake to soak in a bin with air holes and a small amount of water in it or moist sphagnum moss twice a day for an hour by putting the whole bin in your cage. Do that a for a few days and the rest of that dead skin should come off, including the retained spectacle or eyecap. Don't try to get the spectacle off yourself, if it doesn't come off by soaking go to the vet, don't try the "home remedies" like tape, you cou9ld injure or even blind your snake.

Caden
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Caden Chapman
slithering.serpents@gmail.com

Hi Caden thanks again- sorry for my error I meant CA's.Anyhow I left her in a damp bag overnight in her cage - again it helped a little and I did manage to release her eye cap ok. I will tho take on board your advice for next time. My Boas are kept in Pro racks (similar to freedom breeders/ or the Plastic cages I produce myself- similar to Boaphile cages.
Thanks again for your help.
Alan

are you 100% sure your boa is female , as if it was a male ,going off food this time of year and the increased activity would just be a normal thing

yes 100% sure.