Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am new here and I purchased an 04 female Albino about 2 months ago. She has only eaten once since then, she's very shy, so I put a nice hide in her cage for her. I talked to the previous owner and he said she was never an aggressive eater. She doesn't seem like she is sick, she drinks water I don't hear any whispers coming from her. My question is how long do I wait to take her to the vet or even if I need to. Or is there any advice on how I can get her to eat. I know they can go along time without eating, just concerned.Thanks for any info

this should have gone under Clngtawy don't know why it went under NCBoas

First thing to ask is, what was she eating for her previous owner and when was her last meal? Two months does seem like a long time for a healthy, active boa to refuse food. Since she's an 04, I would guess rats, but in what form - live, P/k, F/T, etc. Once you know that then find out HOW she was being fed - jiggled in front of her, left in cage overnight (hopefully not if she was eating live!), etc. Equally as important are the conditions you're keeping her in. You imply that she is a shy snake to begin with, so make sure outside stimuli is at a minimum. If the previous owner kept her in a snake room away from the main house or living area, in a tub with low light for instance, and you plop her in a glass aquarium with overhead lights on in your bedroom where the stereo, tv, family dog and cat are constantly on/around, she could be completely freaked out. Obviously she has been feeding well for the last 4 years, so barring any illness or pregnancy, she's stressed for one reason or another. You need to figure that out.

Best of luck!

I have talked to the previous owner and he has had her since a baby, he said she was never an aggressive eater and that she was only bothered 2 times a day. So I have her upstairs in my bedroom, very quiet, no music or tv and really only bothered a couple times a day. She is in a 4ft vision cage the heat is correct, water bowl large for humidity. He told me she eats f/t which is what I have. He said to try jiggling sometimes she will take it but most times just left and it's gone by morning which I have done also. Like I said she has eaten once for me, maybe a month ago, I have had her about 2 months now. I believe I have asked him what she was kept in and he told me a cage, like I have. I have 13 boas so I'm not new to this, just the forum, but I have never had a snake not eat for me. I think I am doing everything right, it just doesn't seem to be working. Any help will be appreciated, I will just keep trying every week to feed her. Thanks

If she was shipped to you, it may take awhile. Adult Boas can stress out for longer time periods. I bought an adult female Ghost who was feeding well prior to my ownership. Then she did just what yours is doing - and it was frustrating. Keep offering smaller meals f/t overnight . every few days, and hopefully she'll come around. BTW, my girl still rarely takes meals from the tongs, but she does eat every time now. Good luck.
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Snake room janitor

No actually I went and picked her up, but thats what I am going to do just keep trying...thanks