Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

i have had this sand boa for about 5 weeks. she ate weeks 1 and 2 no problem, then weeks 3, 4, and 5 she would constrict the mouse, but not eat it.

the prey is not too big, as i am feeding a sand boa half her size the same size prey.

any ideas or suggestions?

thanks

Possibly the temps aren't high enough. They should be between 85-90 degrees. Other than that I', not sure.

>>the prey is not too big, as i am feeding a sand boa half her size the same size prey.

Have you tried smaller prey items? Just because one snake likes big food items doesn't mean they all will. Seems worth a shot.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

The suggestions you were given are great and should definitely be looked into, but if you know that those issues are not present, and the snake still doesn't eat, don't fret. Sand Boas are notorious about refusing food. Especially females. Under the best of conditions, my girl has for 6 years gone through phases where she will not swallow prey for close to a month, sometimes more and then resume her normal feeding pattern. These others may be able to tell you the reason for that, be it a breeding thing or what have you. However, she almost always kills it regardless of whether or not she eats it. I don't believe that to be abnormal.

I had the same problem with my male indian sand boa. He has went off and on food since I've had him, and at one time, he went six months without eating, lost so much weight, and was probably very close to starvation/death before he would eat again. About four months ago, he started eating again, and hasn't missed a meal since. It will probably take another six months to get him looking good again though. The female has always eaten with no problems, with the exception of when they were newborns and were kind of picky. Luckily, she grew out of it fast.