Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought a baby dumeril boa and I'm worried she might be sick. I have never owned a dumeril before, but she was eating regularly (two fuzzies and a pinkie the first week I had her, then just a hopper (slightly bigger than a fuzzie) the next week) but didn't eat last weekend. I'm not extremely conscerned about the eating (I used to own a ball python and I know that snakes can go long periods of time without eating) but she hasn't shed completely yet (her scales are duling, however, and it should be soon) and now her eyes are milky looking (they still move around, but seem clouded). I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem with a dumeril boa and if it was just her shedding or perhaps something I should have checked out. She seems healthy otherwise, active and quite friendly, but I'm still worried.
Thanks for reading!
Also, does anyone know when I should expect her to shed and will she shed complete skins, because, as of yet, she seems to be shedding by slowly soaking the scales off in water.... It seems like only part of her body is silky...
Thanks again!

Hello,

I wouldn't worry is sounds like she is, as you mentioned, in her shed cycle. This is most likely the reason for refusing to eat. Dumeril’s boas are susceptible to incomplete sheds when they are not provided with adequate humidity. I am not sure how you are keeping your young dumerils but I recommend Rubbermaid or other plastic containers with holes for ventilation. They hold humidity well, are easy to clean, and provide security for your boa. If you have a moderately sized water bowl in one of these containers your dumeril will shed nicely. Anyway, your humidity should be at or slightly over 60 percent. Your Dumeril should shed anywhere from one to five days after the eyes have cleared. Hope I have answered some of your questions and please ask if you have additional concerns.

Erin

I agree, its the shed many wont feed while in shed. They go through like 3 stages while they shed theyll blue up like your talking now for a few days. Then theyll go clear it will look like they shed because they will loose that blue grey color but still be darker then normal. Then theyll blue again like now but the second time they blue it will go faster. hope this helps Jason
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Jason & Danica
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Classic Dums frozen feeders

I've had plenty of BCI's that would eat while shedding, but not one Dumerils. Granted, this experience is limited to 35-50 Dumerils. However, I do know that they come from a fairly arid part of Madagascar and do NOT require the high(60%) humidity that the S. American boas do. In fact, according to dumerils.com site, Madagascar only receives 12-20 inches of rain per year.. during only 2 months of the year! With a small Dumerils, I would supply a moist hide box(rubbermaid) within the enclosure for humidity and security. The rest of the tank is kept dry. I live in Montana, which is very dry. I've had my adults for 6 years and not once have they had an incomplete shed. I only lightly mist down the cage 1-2 times per week, unless its breeding season. I would just watch high humidity situations with this boa or you'll end up with septicimia(red belly caused by bacterial or fungal infection).
Later-
Matt Schubarth
Pet Nebula
2100 Stephens #116
Missoula, Montana 59801
406 541 9929