Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am very worried. I kinda screwed up and purchased a baby Columbian from someone a little less than reputable. Now thats not to say he is shady, I just dont know much about him, anyway, I bought this little guy on Saturday and brought him home. He is alone in a 20 gallon long, he has a thermal gradient of 100-105 degrees on the warm end and 75-80 degrees on the cool end. He has hides on both ends and in between. I waited two days then offered a mouse hopper for about an hour. No Go, so then I offered a rat pinkie for about the last two hours, No Go. I was thinking tomorrow I would offer a mouse pinkie. Any suggestions would be great. PLEASE help Im very worried.

I would try putting him in a smaller area to eat. That is a pretty big area and if not confronted directly by the mouse or rat he may not eat. Also although some snakes will eat a couple days after you get them it is usually better to let them settle in a min. of about 5 days before feeding.

putting him in ten gallon? And should I leave him for five days now? or would the total days without feeding be a problem?

5 Days from now will not hurt him. Put him in a ten...depends on how big he is. A cage or tank two thirds of its body length at a min.

Like I suggest in my other post have plenty of hides and feed outside the tank. You can also use fake plants that you can find in the craft store to make him feel more secure.
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Jeff
0.1 Wife (Homo sapiens sapiens): Kim
2.0 Hog Island Boas, Bob Sears Line (Boa Constrictor imperator): Ham-let and BLT
0.1 Hog Island Boa, Schuett Line (Boa Constrictor imperator): Petunia
1.1 Smooth-Scaled Sand Boas (Eryx johnii johnii): Xerxes, and Sa'rai
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei): Solomon
0.2 Kenyan Sand Boas, 100% het anery (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei): Sheba, Jasmine
1.0 Florida Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula floridana): Seminole
0.1 Doberman (Canis familiaris): Princess Grace
1.0 Pitbull Mix (Canis familiaris): Popcorn
1.0 Rough Collie (Canis familiaris): Dante
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“It’s not bragging if you can prove it”

Seems like it could be a little too warm on the high end. You may
need to keep an eye on the humidity. Also, my boas seem to be most active and curious right after the lights go out, so I usually introduce the food at that time. You can try placing a f/t rat pinkie near the hides and leave it there overnight. I wouldn't panic at this point. Don't try offering food too often. Let a week go by in between offerings...don't wanna stress your new little guy.

Ah, your cool side is good, but your warm side needs to be a lot lower. We are talking a 90-degree "surface temp".

Next give the poor little guy or girl at least 5 to 7 days to settle in. Make sure you have plenty of hiding spaces.

Do not try and feed in the tank. You do not want to have them associate you opening the tank or cage with food. Also you want them to feel secure so he or she is comfortable with eating.

Find a Rubbermaid or similar container just big enough for your boa and the mouse or rat. Place them both in the container then cover them with a dark trash bag...or turn out the lights. Give him or her at least an hour or more. If no go try 4 to 5 days later.

I would also suggest you monitor your boas weight. Drastic fast changes mean something else is wrong. Then it is time to visit the vet…but I bet you will find this procedure works. Good luck.
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Jeff
0.1 Wife (Homo sapiens sapiens): Kim
2.0 Hog Island Boas, Bob Sears Line (Boa Constrictor imperator): Ham-let and BLT
0.1 Hog Island Boa, Schuett Line (Boa Constrictor imperator): Petunia
1.1 Smooth-Scaled Sand Boas (Eryx johnii johnii): Xerxes, and Sa'rai
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei): Solomon
0.2 Kenyan Sand Boas, 100% het anery (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei): Sheba, Jasmine
1.0 Florida Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula floridana): Seminole
0.1 Doberman (Canis familiaris): Princess Grace
1.0 Pitbull Mix (Canis familiaris): Popcorn
1.0 Rough Collie (Canis familiaris): Dante
---------------------------------------------
“It’s not bragging if you can prove it”