Reptile & Amphibian Forums

...he hasn't ate in about 3 weeks. I live in AZ so temperature isn't really an issue. I have had him since he was a baby and he's just over 3 now, 5.5ft and 10-15 lbs. He does this not eating thing every once in awhile, then eat for several weeks in a row.

*House temp ~78
*Cool spot ~room temp
*Hot spot ~95
*Fresh water all the time
*45-50% humidity
*Substrate is peat moss and shredded cypress
*Offered a large pre-kill rat once a week whether he ate previously or not.

Is there something MORE I can be doing? It bothers me when he does this and I dont want him stressed and hungry when its my own fault.

Thanks for the help!
B.L.

To me it sounds like you are doing everything right. Thanks for
being specific for us as well. He is most likely wanting to
breed. Hope ths helps and keep the questions coming if you have
them! We all as a community will keep on answering!!
K.Bowman

3 yrs old / 10-15 lbs / male /fed weekly.

I personally would change a few of the things that you have mentioned. Your male boa is about 3 times heavier than my 5 yr old males. They don't need the same feedings that females get. I'd slow down to feeding every 2-3 weeks , which is better for a Boa who's metabolism is slowing down at around 3 yrs.
In 14 years of owning Boas, I've only had 2 males over 5 ft long, and they were pushing 10 yrs old. Med. size rats is about the largest that I ever feed males. I think your Boas inconsistencies is his way of telling you to slow it down a little.
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Snake room janitor

I have to agree, my adult males get fed around every three weeks and sometime go about 2 months during breeding season.

I agree with this as well. Adult snakes do not need weekly feedings and he's probably just telling you (in his own special little way) that he's full and doesn't need sustainance just yet.

Hugs,

Amanda Rose

Oh wow. I guess the pet store where I buy my feeders has misled me a little then. I was told I was basically UNDERfeeding him and he should be taking 2 Lg rats a week! I have read several articles stating that overfeeding the snake to make him big stresses them, and ultimately shortens their life span, which I obviously didn't want. Well thanks for the advice, this is my first post on here and so far so good.

Since I have your attention...I'm in the process of building him a custom acrylic tank and then a laminate stand to hold it. The same pet store told me 5'x 8'...that dimension just isn't feasible right now, any suggestions for a reasonable square? I was leaning toward 3'x3' or 4'x4'.

Thanks in advance!
B.L.

BTW, I will take an official weight and compare to the ones you have for my own reference.

You want 1sqft of cage per ft of boa.

Al Brown/Brown's Boas