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Columbian boa behavior

chewybar05 Jun 02, 2005 06:12 AM

I have a pair of columbian boas both around 40 inches in length and last night they got into a fight. It frightened me quite a bit i got them apart but didn't sepperate them into different cages. Because they a kind of aggressive anyways. I woke up this morning and the male which started the fight is missing. Woul this be normal are there reports of cannabalism in boa constrictors?

Replies (9)

Hypoboa1 Jun 02, 2005 07:41 AM

>>I have a pair of columbian boas both around 40 inches in length and last night they got into a fight. It frightened me quite a bit i got them apart but didn't sepperate them into different cages. Because they a kind of aggressive anyways. I woke up this morning and the male which started the fight is missing. Woul this be normal are there reports of cannabalism in boa constrictors?

You asked for it!But before I try an answer your question,I have one for you!!!!!When you seen them Fighting as you worded it,Why didn't you go with your first instinct an SEPERATE THEM??????????You were just asking for more problems!An yes it has been known for other boa's to KILL an EAT siblings or enclosier mates over feeding responces if thats what the problem was,Have you checked all around the room,every possible place you can look an even the impossible places yet!Or does the other remaining boa look like it just ate a giant meal?Others may be able to answer your question better!Eric[Hypoboa]
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E&C's Exotic House of Reptiles

tcarter Jun 02, 2005 08:08 AM

You just made a very common, often fatal mistake. I would venture to say that you have very little experience in the keeping of snakes, else you would have known better. Do yourself and your snakes a favor...do some reserch.
Yes, the snake was more than likely killed and consumed. Learn form your mistakes and be more careful in the future. Otherwise, sell the snakes and buy a poodle.

silenthill Jun 02, 2005 08:43 AM

People like you should not own snakes. Not only did you keep them in the same cage but you failed to seperate them after you knew there was conflict. Do me a favor and give up on snakes.

chiplatham Jun 02, 2005 08:55 AM

chewy...don't listen to silenthill. you made a novice mistake and although i am sure silent is perfect, everyone else is not.

if you bought the boas at a pet shop, the animals may have been kept together there. many pet shops keeps multiple aniamals together... so many beginners think it is ok to do the same. there are other reasons why it is not a good idea and canabilism is one...although it may not happen often.

chewy, there are lots of great people here on this forum who will be very helpful to you. you shouldn't give up on something you care about because of one mistake. good luck.

jonathan-m Jun 02, 2005 09:52 AM

I think you need to get off your high horse there buddy, since you have obviosly been SOOO succesfull with boas do you think it gives you a right to talk to others like that? it seems to me that you are still pretty green when it comes to boas yourself, so I think you need to remember that everyone makes mistakes sometime.

chewy, I would look very closely inside and outside of the cage for the other boa (unless you see a large lump in the remaining one, that would be give away) if you do find the missing one you defenitely need to keep them in different enclosures.
there is a chance that one boa did eat the other, but hopefully you can find the other boa still alive somewhere.

CBH Jun 02, 2005 10:55 AM

First off, Feed snakes serparately...second off, feed them often so they wont be hungry. Sorry about the misfortune. Live and learn!!
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Chris
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Captive Bred Herps

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1.2 KSB "Normal"
1.2 KSB "Albino Het/snow"
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CBH Jun 02, 2005 11:00 AM

Why don't you give up on snakes? We don't need anymore dumb a$$holes treating beginners poorly. Expand the hobby!

No wonder reptile breeders/hobbist don't get the respect they deserve!
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Chris
Contact
Captive Bred Herps

0.0.2 Gila Monsters
1.2 KSB "Normal"
1.2 KSB "Albino Het/snow"
1.1 KSB "Anery"
2.2 Rubber boas
3.3 Solomon Island G. Boa
1.0 Leopard Gecko
1.0 Pacman Frog

silenthill Jun 02, 2005 11:35 AM

I take back what I said. I was in a bad mood and should have never posted that. To original poster, just please learn from your misake and don't let in happen again. Don't give up on snakes, they are wonderfull animals

chicagopsych Jun 02, 2005 01:34 PM

I doubt one ate the other. Babies seem to be more prone to eating others and 40 inches seems a little too old. The lump in the surviving one would be very easy to notice. It would also likely regurge fairly soon. Snakes also don't tend to coil and eat when doing defensive strikes such as "fighting." If you fed together, what you saw was never fighting. It was each boa smelling the rodent and going for whatever moved. Good luck

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