Reptile & Amphibian Forums

And what does it look like when they do it?...Is it constant behaviour or intermittent?...Do they look up with just thier heads or most thier body?......

I am soo worried about my boa Suki she has been watching the ceiling of her cage with her body half up just staring at the ceiling...She is eating fine and doesnt do it all the time just now and again during the day/night but she stares for quite awhile. Am I overreacting?

any help here would be great.
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Star gazing is a symptom (and a term you don’t here too much anymore) not a dieses. Nowadays most people relate Star gazing with IBD right off the bat. It is not always true, Star gazing is simply a condition that causes a Boa to lift its head straight up as if it were, well, Star Gazing, Hence the name.
With IBD star Gazing is a neurological problem, were the disorder has proceeded to point of causing the snake to have limited if any control of its movements. This is also why IBD snakes will be found twisted and upside down, but still alive in a cage.
However Star Gazing can also be caused by other problems, not so dire, such as a URI (snake cold). A snake with congestion will raise its head to help drain so it can breath better, that will also come along with clogged nostrils, mucus bubbles from the mouth or nostrils and a wheezing sound when the snake breaths.
What ever the cause may be, it is always wise for a Vet visit when that type of symptom shows itself in a snake. If you have more then one snake, Isolate that snake, if this is your only snake, take it to the Vet and explain the symptom and if there is no sign of an URI, ask for a test for IBD.
I hope this helps some, Good Luck
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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

She has no other symptoms so she must just like staring at the roof or something on occasion....But I will keep an eye on her
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The above post is awesome.
If no other symptoms, (bubbly nose, infected looking mouth interior, anorexia) then I'm sure your snake is just waiting for the lid to open.
If a neuro symptom, as in IBD, your snake will be obviously sick, and most simple functions will be near impossible for the snake.
Also to note, if your snake is showing symptoms of IBD (from your post I'm guessing not) it will die shortly. There is no sensitive test for IBD, but biopsies may be lucky and find some inclusions indicating a positive animal.