Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We just got an argentine boa/red tail cross, seems to have a lovely temperament... pretty active with a distinct personality, but I have a few (probably dumb) questions. If anyone can help it would be appreciated.
It is 28 inches long, it has been being fed 2 hopper mice per week. Is this large enough prey for this snake? It was last fed on Thursday and I am told that it is a great feeder but it is striking at small quick movements... is it hungry? Should I offer it another mouse or two?
How much handling is too much? We got it yesterday and I understand that it is advisable not to handle it at all for a few days, but it doesn't seem to mind. It is neither apathetic nor snappy, seems to be curious and interested in its surroundings and seems to enjoy being handled. Should I leave it alone anyway?
I apologize if these are stupid questions, I've been reading all over the web for a couple of weeks in anticipation of getting this snake, and I wanted to ask the opinions of people here.

1.) Regardless of temperament, leave it alone for a week. It's in the best interest of the snake and helps with stress of the animal.

2.) My 30" BOA easily handles the largest mice available, one a week. Move on from hoppers and go larger. If the adult mice look small, don't be afraid to try two of them. Once you see the snake eat and notice it's activity patterns, you'll be able to judge good size meals (this will be in a few months). Feed it somewhere other than it's cage and wait 2 days before handling.

3.) You can handle your boa as often as you feel the need, with in reason. Don't take it out for 6 hrs at a time, etc. I handle mine 4 or 5 days a week (not on feeding day or day after), and usually for just 15 mins or so but sometimes for more than an hour.

You have a wonderful pet there and I hope you enjoy it as much as us herpers love ours. Be warned, they are contagious, and once you have one, you'll constantly want more (don't say I didn't tell you). Good luck with the research and feel free to shoot off any more questions you may have.
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-Iman

1.1 Sugar Gliders
2.0 Balls (Spot and Speck)
0.1 Colombian BCI (Belle)
1.0 Colombian Rainbow (Rex)

Loving to Learn
Learning to Help
Helping to Love

I have a couple of followups, if you don't mind...
It seems to me that a large mouse might be less food overall, than two hoppers; am I overestimating the size of a hopper?
As I understand it, feeding it somewhere other than the cage is so that it won't be as snappy when you reach in for it, basically preventing it from associating its enclosure with food; is this correct? I have no problem feeding it elsewhere, I'm just curious.
I will leave it alone for the next few days, at least a week. After that time, is an hour or more each day too much? Can I watch it for signs of stress from overhandling it?

Again, thank you. I appreciate your time and help.

I would have to disagree with the sizing of the food item. It is not dependant on the length of the snake, and therefore it is impossible to say that you should be feeding it adult mice from only knowing that it is 28" long. The snake should be fed one appropriately sized food item every 7-10 days. An appropriately sized food item is one that is equal to or slightly smaller than the thickest part of your snake. It should leave a slight lump in the snake's belly and the lump should be gone within 48 hours. If the lump is not gone within this time frame, then the prey item was too large. Feeding your snake large prey items can have many negative effects. The first is that the snake will often regurge the food item which causes a whole lot of other problems. The second is that it may take too long to digest the food and the prey item will rot inside your snakes stomach.
When in doubt, go smaller and then work your way up.

Hope this helps,
Matt Crabe