How should my new boa act?

[lemunhed134]

Hey guys, I just got a new boa from the boastore.com and am really excited! When I first got her, she was very into exploring and seemed very high energy, I put her back in her cage and have been trying to handle her a few times a day for a little bit to get her used to me. After about 4 hours in her cage, she just curled up under the heat lamp and kind of slept there.... now I am looking at her this morning and she is doing the same thing, only in an adjacent corner. When I pick her up she seems to be really tired and not as energetic, do boas take a while to wake up? My temps are in the low to mid 90's on the hot side, I have a hide spot under a log with an under tank heater that's about 86 (She hasn't used the hide spot at all yet), and I am using a repti-sun "black light" for radiant heat till my boaphile enclosure comes. I just want to make sure it isn't some environmental problem that is causing her to just hang out in the corner. Thanks for all your help in advance!!

[Heidi]

New boas are very stressed when brought to a new home. You should keep handling to a minimum for the first couple weeks at least. Make sure they have two feedings with only handling to move between feeding tub and enclosure, change water, spot clean pees and poos, monitor temps and humidity, leave alone otherwise. It is also a good idea to get a vet appointment. I try to do this ASAP so I can start their "break-in period" ASAP. You may need to bring in a fecal after the actual appt though since we obviously can't determine when they will go and the sample needs to be fresh.

This behavior sounds normal though they should be active and curious after you pick them up. If it S's up and sits still when you pick her up though it could be stress and a threat response.

You should get the hot side down a few degrees. Try to keep no higher then 90, mid-90's is a bit high. What are the cool side temps and humidity. If you havent' already you may have heard of Accurite indoor/outdoor thermometer with hygrometer. This is the best to have to measure temp and humidity. They are less then $20.00 at most Walmarts, K-marts, Lowes or Home Depot.