Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, so I have this 6' female Argentine boa. From the time I got her until October 1, 2002 she ate every single time. Since then, she has not eaten once for me. I did not cycle her, so my understanding is that she should not be ovulating, so that shouldn't be the problem. The temps in her cage are between 80.5 F and 98.9 F, with a basking spot of 121.5 F. I did move her into a new cage, but that was just after Christmas. I do not handle her regularly. I usually wouldn't worry about her going off feed, but I'm starting to think it's something serious since it's been so long and she's usually such a good eater. She has not lost any noticeable weight (judging from my perception, since I don't have a scale yet). I plan on taking her to the vet soon. Anyone have any ideas as to what her problem could be, and how I can fix it? Thanks.
Heather

You REALLY need a thermostat, or a dimmer switch now. Your cool side temperature is good, maybe a little lower (down to 76 or so), but your warm side ambient and basking spot are WAY too high. Your ambient temp should be around 82-84 with a basking spot of about 88. Your temps are too high for any boa, and you have an Argentine too, they are from Southern South America where it's even cooler and sometimes a much higher elevation (so again, EVEN cooler) than most of the other boa constrictors, hence the somewhat lower temperatures I listed above.
Go out and purchase either a thermostat or a dimmer switch first thing today, this is not something that can wait. I hope this pic shows up...
. That's what I use and I LOVE THEM. You do not have to splice any wires, you just plug your heat source directly into the back of the plug and slide the dimmer switch to adjust the output. If you buy it (try Home Depot or Lowes, etc..), plug it up and test it out and measure your temps with something VERY accurate like a temp gun and you can adjust the temps with the slide on the dimmer switch until they're perfect.

Now, after you get your temperatures in order, you can worry about feeding. This problem may fix itself after the temperatures are stablized, or, it may fix itself after breeding season. Boas often times go off of feed at this time of year because it's the natural time for breeding season, and you just have to wait it out. Normally, they don't lose any significant amount of weight, but it's quite possible that yours did because of the very high temperatures. I would say as long as your boa is not looking sickly, you have nothing to worry about. However, given the conditions it has been kept in, a trip to the (qualified reptile) vet wouldn't hurt.

Good luck GP and like I said, do NOT wait or hesitate to buy a thermostat or a dimmer switch, do it today!
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Jonathan Brady
My Kingsnake Photo Gallery

Where did you get that dimmer switch? Home Depot? How much was it? Can you plug any heat source into it? Will it work well with heat panels? Sorry to ask so many questions, but the information is appreciated.
Thanks again,
Eric

got it at home depot, about $15. you can plug any heat source into it. i've run ceramic heat emitters, heat tape, and UTH's off of it and they all do very well. i've never used it with heat panels, but i'm guessing they'd work too.

only thing i caution you on is that if your room temp varies a lot, you may want to go with a thermostat. the dimmer switch will only adjust the output to a preset level, not a preset temp. but, if your room temp stays pretty constant, then you can just figure out the setting, and check your temps once in a while to make sure everything is good to go.

later man, jb
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Jonathan Brady
My Kingsnake Photo Gallery

What if I get a lower wattage bulb? I had a 150 on there, now I have a 100 and I'll check the temps and post them tomorrow.
Heather