Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are considering taking in a rescue boa. The story on this snake is that right now she belongs to a coworker of mine who is scared to death of her... not a snake fan. But the snake was dumped on her by an ex boyfriend who brought her over, then left her and skipped town. My coworker has been taking care of her, but knows that she isn't doing everything right, and really feels like she can't give this snake a good home. Right now she's trying to sell her, but has been trying for weeks and hasn't had any promising offers... most of the people who have come to look at her have been afraid of her. She'll give her to the reptile rescue if she has to, but has put money into her for vet bills, food, and shelter and would like to get some of it back by selling her.

Hubby and I have always loved snakes. We both work with large constrictors (and small ones) at the zoo where we volunteer... using them in educational programs. Out of all the snakes we have, our boa is my favorite. So we are thinking about taking the snake from her... we're planning on offering her $75 for the snake with the heat lamp (we already have a large aquarium, just need to buy a locking screen for it)

She (snake) has seen the vet and was probe sexed as a female. But since then, she has gone completely off her food. I've been researching to help her find the reason, and another coworker of mine, who does reptile rescue, has been working with her to help find solutions. Among our suggestions, a feeding box and better regulated temperature.

I'm no snake expert, though I've been learning as much as I can about them. I have a green iguana, who is spoiled rotten, so I'm not exactly new to reptiles.

I do have one specific question, though: this snake is accustomed to eating live, but I know that live food isn't the best for them. While she was in my coworker's care, she was attacked by a mouse. If I take her, I plan on feeding her prekilled prey, most likely frozen (then thawed to room temp, of course). So my question is, am I going to have a problem getting her to eat prekilled? And if I do use frozen mice, should I supplement with vitamins? Which kind? My iguana uses RepCal with no Vit D or Phos, and Herptivite.

Any other tips or suggestions you might have for me would be very helpful. The snake is still pretty small... about 2, 2.5'.

Thanks a bunch in advance,
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~Alika~
1.0.0 green iguanas
0.1.0 cockatiels
1.0.0 senegal parrots
0.1.0 blue-fronted amazons
0.0.1 red belly piranha

Hi,

I'm glad to see you interested in giving this needy snake a home, doing rescue and rehab is how I started when I got into reptiles.

>So my question is, am I going to have a problem getting her to eat prekilled?

If she is aggressive I don't think you will have any problems getting her to take frozen/thawed rats. I would just go ahead and try with a frozen/thawed rodent and see if she'll take it. Most boas aren't that picky. If she isn't trying to take it, hold the critter on a heat pad or near a bright light for a few minutes to warm it up. If she still won't take it, try leaving it in the cage overnight, most times it's gone by morning. If still nothing, either you do it or ask the pet shop to do it, but get a freshly killed rat and try that. You can also try rubbing an alive rat against the frozen one to transfer the 'fresh' scent. Also, you did mention a feeding box, if the snake simply refuses to eat in the feeding box, feed in the cage until she's taking f/t easily then start using the box.

> And if I do use frozen mice, should I supplement with vitamins? Which kind?

Nope, snakes don't need the vitamins given to lizards and torts, they can process calcium without UVB or added Vit D. All they need they get from their food since they are eating whole prey. Using vitamins with snakes is kinda like those "shedding aids" they sell at the store for $7 a bottle when all it's just water with a little aloe in it.. it won't harm but it's also a waste of money. (IMO!!!)

I could type more, but it sounds like you have lots of good help, hope some of these ideas is useful, good luck!!!
-April

Thanks!

The reason I mentioned using a feeding box is because the original owner used one and the reptile guy I work with mentioned that since the girl who has him right now has not been using a feeding box, that could be the reason why he's not eating.

As far as aggressive... I don't think she is. From what I've heard about her, she's really sweet and comes around looking for attention. Currently, she's free-roaming in a bedroom. She has a tipped over bookshelf she's been using as a sort of temporary housing, but the snake can get out of it and she don't try to stop her. This is why I think that heating may be an issue... I doubt that she's warm enough to eat.

You're right about me having good resources to help me out. But I'm trying to get as many opinions as I can, so this snake will have a better chance.

Thanks again!
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~Alika~
1.0.0 green iguanas
0.1.0 cockatiels
1.0.0 senegal parrots
0.1.0 blue-fronted amazons
0.0.1 red belly piranha