Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A live rat I fed to my Red-Tail boa bit the snake and drew blood. The wound is not deep, and clotted quickly. I need to know how to disinfect the wound, or if I need to seek medical attention. Thanks.

Mike

Start with neosporin (without pain relief) See a vet. Why are you feeding live? Boas will easily take frozen thawed prey. Haven't seen a Boa yet that wont take f/t. Save your snake the pain of being bitten.

Ok, so you say that it's just as good to feed boas frozen food...how do you do that exactly? Is it cheaper to buy a bulk of rats and stick them in the freezer? Then, what do you do, leave them in the fridge to thaw and just drop one in the enclosure, or do you have to make it look live...?

Yes it's way more convenient to store a bunch in the freezer. I leave them frozen then on feed day I fill a bucket with hot tap water(not boiled) Drop the rat in for a while till warm and soft. Some snakes may not like wet prey (mine don't care) So leave them in a plastic zip lock bag. Feeding depends on your snake. I barely get to drop the prey in the feed tote before it's attacked. A couple of mine are lazy eaters and just get around to it and start to eat without constricting.
Don't offer the prey with your hands, you may get bit. Use hemostats, or tongs. I have yet to really have to entice a boa to eat f/t. It may take a couple trys to get to know what your snake will do. Basically make sure the prey is warm(not scalding hot) and make it known to the snake that there is food present.