Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am picking up an adult boa this weekend. I have had 2 for over 2 years. Both were bought as babies from reliable breeders. I have had no problems with them at all.

So the only detail I have this far is that "it" is about 5' long.

No gender or background.

Any tips on what I should look out for or look for specifically?

Practice your quarantine procedures and you will be aok and if you feel up to it, take a fecal exam to the local vet too
Bob

Absolutely keep it away (in another room) from your other snakes as suggested above, and don't transfer food from the new snake's area to your other snakes room.

Secondly, if it's wrinkly looking, it may be dehydrated, so soak it in some room temperature water for 15 minutes or so. Also soak if it looks like it has retained old sheds.

Mucous bubbling from the mouth area (or popping or wheezing) can be a sign of respiratory infection, and it will probably have to go to the vet for medication.

I guess the best thing to do, if it doesn't look like it has immediate problems would be to get it set up in an enclosure and leave it alone for a few days, then try feeding. If you can ask questions, ask what/how it was fed before (probably live, but if they were feeding it something weird like hamsters, it might not eat mice/rats right away).

Once it feeds, you can look for other signs (super smelly loose stool might indicate worms, but it'd be good to check feces for worms anyway, in case the previous owners ever fed the snake 'outdoor' food like wild frogs).

Good luck! Adoptions can be scary and the need to do rescue sucks, but can be rewarding later on. Good for you! Do post pictures when you can.
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Lauren Madar - OphidiaGems.com | CageMakers
1.0 BP, 1.0 Hog Is., 1.1 Hypo BCI, 1.1 Surinam BCC, 0.1 GTP