Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just wondering if anyone had experience with redtail boas. I have two redtails that are about 3-4 months old. We bought them from an individual that was mistreating them so we have had them since they were 1 day old. One of our babies is eating on his own our other one will not eat, the only way she will take food is if I open its mouth and put in in their and then it swallows it down fine. We don;t want to have to force feed this snake forever. We have tried feeding it every ten days and when it wouldn't eat wait another 10 days and went two months without eating. If someone can give me some advice on how to get her to eat on her own.

thank you
croberts

I'd keep up with the assist feeding, every 5-7 days. Every 7 days is considered better. Sounds like your actually pretty well off if this Boa swallows on its own. You only put the food in its mouth and it swallows,that's not bad for non eater situation. Once you've fed this Boa every 7 days for 5 weeks. I'll bet it'll start feeding completely on its own. Your using frozen thawed mice(small or pinkie) I'm thinking. After 5 weeks if it will not start on its own try a live pinkie.
. . . . . . Lar M
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Boas By Klevitz

Try feeding live pinky or fuzzy mice if you are not already. Sometimes I have found if you wash the pinky with plain water that removes some of the odor which for some reason picky eaters sometimes dont like. Also make sure you have hide boxes that are not to large so the animal will feel secure, I have an adult male that will not eat anything unless he is in his hide box. If the snake still refuses try to get the smallest rat pinky you can find, just remember that when he/she starts to eat on its own do not try to pump him up take it slow for at least ten feedings. A very slight bulge at best until he shows weight gain. Hope this helps.
Joel