Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys, this is my first post, and before i ask any questions I would like to thank everyone on the board for all the help I've gotten from just reading on here so far.

I have a 6-month old common bci as the first snake ive had in a few years, and i have been taking a lot of time to read up on proper care. However, lately (past week or so) she has been staying in the water bowl at least 75% of the time shes in her cage, and I cant figure out why. The temps are high 80's to low 90's in the basking spot, and in between 75-80 on the cool end, depending if its night or day. The bowl is on the cooler side of the enclosure. Its also puzzling because after a day or so I will start to notice a few little black spots in the water, but they don't look like mites, and I cant find any evidence of them on her either. I was thinking it could possibly be because she has not defecated since her last two meals and maybe shes trying to loosen her bowels by soaking? she usually feels colder when I pull her out of the water as well, I don't know if that helps any...

One more question.....What does everyone think of using a towel as substrate? I have a couple of towels that fit the bottom of the cage perfectly when folded over so its double thickness, and i have been replacing it with a clean one every time it gets dirty from feeding or pooping. It seems fine, I just wanted another opinion because I haven't seen anyone else doing it.
Thanks in advance guys

Sure sounds like mites, have you looked at the specks under a magnifying glass?

Mites look like...

I've heard of people using towels like that, IMO should be fine as long as kept clean.

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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Sure sounds like mites to me. They tend to look a little different after they've been drowned and in the water a while.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

I don't think I'd do that. Just make sure you watch and make sure none of the towel starts going down with the rat. Paper rips. Saw a picture once of a snake that accidentally started swallowing it's own tail during feeding (freak accident.) Snake died.

Thanks for the replies guys..

I checked the water very closely and am still not sure if the dots in the water were mites, but went to my local pet shop and purchased mite-off. I realize its probably not the best product, but the pet shop said it worked when they have had to treat for mites, and I don't really want to wait for it if I ordered it online. I gave her a good spray and cleaned out the entire cage, giving everything a good spraying down and washing/rinsing, and then replaced the towel. After checking her very carefully I still could not see any sign of mites on her at all, and I put my hand on the bottom of the cage for a good few minutes and didn't see any either. So hopefully this will make 100% that she doesnt have mites.

What is everyone's stance on feeding vs. defecation? Mine has ate two meals so far without defecation, and is due to feed tomorrow. I know some people will not feed until their snake has defecated after a certain time, and was a little concerned because she usually doesnt wait this long, and she has a bit of a bulge from it I'm pretty sure.
Thanks for the input guys

I would never spray my Boa with any insecticide .Soak them in water that has a little dish soap like Ivory soap.Sprat the bedding.Lar M
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Boas By Klevitz

Depends on meal size and temperature.
I've found defecation is a function of adequate hydration. They can be ready to poop for weeks, but won't/can't until they take a nice drink. If indeed your snake does have mites, it might be slightly dehydrated from all the blood sucking. That might delay defecation.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Generally what I do when treating mites is coat around the eyes, labials, and all that loose skin under the chin with Triple Antibiotic. I also coat the vent. These are places that mites love to attack and good places to look for mites when inspecting.
The Triple Antibiotic gums up the mites, smothers them, and reduces their mobility. I've heard of using cold cream, mineral oil, Vaseline, and vegetable oil for the same purpose. I prefer the Triple Antibiotic. I believe all of those I've just listed, including the Triple Antibiotic have the potential to impair a proper shed if used too close to shedding time.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Your towel for substrate is drying out the cage. Your boa is soaking for 2 or 3 reasons, it's dehydrated from the dried out cage, possibly mites, possibly constipated, and it might be about to shed. Switch to newspaper until you can be sure there are no mites (a few weeks at least). I have a snake that loves to soak before a shed, she sometimes stays in for days. She has no issues besides being ready to shed, she just enjoys it. I also wouldn't let my cage get down to 75, raise it to 80 and move the water container to the middle o9f the cage and watch for mites.
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Caden Chapman
slithering.serpents@gmail.com
http://slitheringserpents.com