Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a 5 foot, healthy Central American Boa yesterday. Beautiful proven breeder...but having problems getting her to eat. She is in the same tank as she was where i got her, a 75 gallon. I got, and prekilled a large rat tonight. I dangled it with tongs infront of her for a while, left it, did it some more, she wont take it.

Yesterday, she deficated, so i know she should be hungry. Any help out there?
thanks
hunter

I would personally let it get use to it's new "digs" before trying to feed it. Some boas will not have an issue with new homes. Others take a little bit to settle in.
There are a lot of variables for snakes that are in a new home. There are different smells, temps, vibrations, cage locations could be in "traffic" area, etc. This is all stuff that they will have to adapt to.
Give it some time. I am sure It'll be fine.
On a side note. I will generally wait a few days after defication before feeding. I think it is better for the animal.
Hope this helps,
John
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

good deal...im new to large snakes. thanks for the help
hunte

Yeah....I would wait a few days, let her get settled in. Also....it may have been a mouse eater. I recently traded for a Boa that was around 5 feet and I think It might have been a mouse eater. I dangled a rat in front of it to no avail....then I rubbed a mouse all over the rat's face and the Boa took it right away. I would ask who sold it to you what they were feeding it but letting her get settled in should do the trick.

Good Luck!

Brett

yeah, i know for a fact that she is a rat feeder. i put the rat in the freezer...will try again saturday! thanks
Hunter

also****

Is there such thing as a central american rainbow boa? under normal light she looks normal, but under bright light she has blues and pinks all through her scale...or is just a reflection
?

Can she only be bred with other Central American or other BCI's as well?

>>Can she only be bred with other Central American or other BCI's as well?
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

How do you know for a fact it ate rats? I was sold a Surinam Boa from a "reputable" dealer that fed his mice and told me that the female I bought took rats off tongs.....She never took anything off tongs. So unless you seen the snake eat than I wouldn't be so sure.

To answer your other questions. Yes they can breed with other BCI...but I wouldn't cross-breed. It is entirely up to you though. As far as their colors go, I have a Nicaraguan and she has some of the traits you are describing. I don't think there are Central American Rainbows. I think the farthest they stretch is Colombia, but I could be wrong.
Hope this helps.
Brett

I saw her eat a large rat about 2.5 weeks ago, right before her shed.,...now to find a proven male.

I saw your pics and your CA looks like she's blue. I really couldn't tell but I saw a hint of it in her eyes. Maybe that's why she's not eating for you just yet. Nice looking snakes though!

Good Luck!

Brett