Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey fellow snake lovers. We were so happy when we started reading in these forums tonight. We are the proud owners of 3 beautiful Red Tail Boas. We have two females Zara 6 feet, and Medusa 5.5 feet and 1 male Buddy 4.5 feet. We love these animals and they have really became a big part of the family. All were given a clean bill of health from the reptile vet. In December we introduced Buddy and Medusa. They courted and did the deed on more than one occasion. After a few weeks of being caged together Medusa began to regurgitate after eating. We were feeding rats at the time so we tried to feed smaller. She kept 2 of 3 adult mice down and regurgitated the 3. After 3 weeks of this and her starting to look a little thin I started thinking that she was stressed and took Buddy out and put him in with Zara. So far we have only fed once since then but tomorrow is feeding day again and so far no regurgitation from Medusa. Im assuming that even though they mated she must not be gravid. Anyway, Buddy and Zara seemed very interested in one another. They too have mated then Buddy shed and since I havent seen them "courting". We are new to the mating process and I have tried to do much research on this. I have posted on yahoo answers and typed lots of stuff in to try to research this and even talked to the vet but still dont know what to do or how to really do it. The vet says just put em together theyll do the rest but im sure that there has to be things that I should look for and preperations I should make. ANY ADVICE OR HELP in this department would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!

Can someone PLEASE give us some advice. I really have a lot to learn. Thanks.

While it is important to find out why a boa regurgitates in the first place, and to correct it, there is some basic procedure that must be followed in dealing with a boa that has regurged.

Following a regurge, wait THREE weeks before offering food again. You need to allow the digestive system to recover and recoup lost enzymes.

When it does come time to feed again, feed a meal at least half the size as normal. Wait two weeks, if kept down, feed a small meal again. Slowly go back to normal.

In addition to waiting, one of the most important things is to keep the boa hydrated. Weekly soaking during the initial 3 week period is a good idea as regurgitation can cause dehydration.

It is important to prevent a boa from regurging again. Each time it happens there is a danger that the snake can drown. This is caused because the trachea extends into the mouth, when the wet-partially digested prey comes back up it is possible (doesn't happen often but possible) for fluids to enter the trachea and lungs. Boas can't cough and obviously this can be detrimental.

If your vet didn't recommend any of these procedures, and then recommended to keep trying to breed her, you need a new vet.

Most "reptile vets" aren't very experienced. Especially in details regarding captive care. They can do tests and find diseases and parasites, and sometimes prescribe the right medication, but always be weary. I'd put money on the fact that your vet has no clue how to breed boas.

While there are MANY ways to breed boas and be successful, you should consult with those who have done so to learn the process. It is best to find someone from your area of the country as climate differences do play into things. What works for a breeder in Arizona won't necessarily work for someone in New York.
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Gilbert Boas
The Boa List!

Thank you so much for your response. I am excited that you gave us the tips on regurging. In the vets defense, he only said that size and weight was good for breeding and gave us clean bills of health on them all, no parasites and such. We, I am sad to say, have not brought her to the vet since she regurgitated. We did call and since he had just tested her for parasites he suggested smaller food. From what I have been able to find about the boas temps are perfect and we have seen actual copulation between the male and both females. Now the male is in with the second one but seems to not be interested anymore. We are real new to this but very excited and eager to learn. They are such extrodinary animals. We have been soaking our babies 2 to 3 times a week and feeding once a week. Any pointers would be awesome!!!

Did you raise these boas up to adulthood yourself, or did you get them as adults from three different people? If you got them from different people as adults the female that regurged might have something that cause it that your vet didnt test for. If that is the case then your male could have got something from her through copulation, then passed it to your other girl through copulation. Now if they are gravid the babies could be infected. I hope this isnt the case, but if the female that regurged dosnt get better, and you end up with babies from either female please have one tested for IBD before selling any of them. I dont mean to make you stress, but with crap like IBD out there you have to be really careful.
Another thing, you say you feed once a week and soak your boas two to three times a week. You really should let them rest and digest for four or five days after feeding before moving them. Pulling them out of thier cages to soak them when they have a full stomach could cause regurgatation.

D.E.

Don't believe this was mentioned, but I gathered by what you said, you kept them together in breeding mode right after feeding.
She may be regurging simply because the male is courting her right after a meal.
You need to keep the male off her for at least 5 days after a meal. A week would be better.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

After reading through the thread, it seems that you are very new to boas. Breeding is not something to be taken lightly and takes a great amount of experience with just keeping boas to understand and get right. To me it sounds a bit like you jumped into this all a bit too fast. I'd follow the other's advice, but really think twice before you decide to breed again. You need to be exceptionally comfortable with husbandry, etc so you can provide properly for the breeding parents, the babies which will all eventually need individual housing, and then to advise potential buyers when they ask questions. I'm not chastising you, just something to think about.