Q about Hogg Isld. Boa behavior - Page 3

Buddy's Mommy · #41 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 12:36 AM

Hello again..and thanks again for the advice....I'm going to try frozen again...but don't hold out much hope...then again ya just never know...Yes, I've tried the dangling in front of his face thing (that's how he usually took it before he got fussy) and I tried the broth thing....I've thawed them different ways....hot water, overnight then warmed in water just before feeding...I'll give it another whirl...
"adrya webb" i'm curious why you say multiple items at one time isn't good...someone else said that befoe too and I just can't figure out why you guys say that...I understand the live food possibly being unhealthy...but it makes no sense if he eats one item or half a dozen why that should matter....in the wild they eat more than one thing after another if they get the opportunity...and from everything i've ever read (and I do as much as I can find} i've never even once come across anything that even suggested that was harmful....but if it's true I want to stop doing it...but if it's just an opinion I don't wanna get all paranoid...I'm also a big believer in supplements....for people and animals..I don't think store rats (fresh or frozen) have everything they need to thrive, you might want to look into that for your own little guys...we ALL need em!!!
and BTW he's older than 2 1/2 he's between 3-4 years...I think he has mental and emotional issues lol his hissstory is kindof sad and he needs time to adjust maybe...I also think he's "in the mood for love" that's my gut instinct but food is definetly an issue here still trying

Buddy's Mommy · #42 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 12:56 AM

:::ADRYA WEBB:::
THANK YOU for the link to the thread about live food!!!!! I'm still going through all the posts but the first page with the pics and the horror stories of those poor snakes... I've seen a few things but wow....I thank ALL of you for your advice and suggestions you pretty much all said the same thing about food....so all the thanks is for EVERYONE!!!! ::::kisses::::

JohnnyK · #43 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 03:55 AM

5.5' and eating mice? I have smaller hogs and hypo hogs eating rats. That snake needs a bigger food item then a mouse. Also like was stated before stunning or pre killing is all part of the hobby. You sound like you really love this snake, then let his best intrests be yours. You would do him a big favor feeding him 1 pre killed (if he refuses F/T) large rat every 10 days.

cb76 · #44 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 06:14 AM

hey buddy's mom,

one thing you have to realize is that there is no "one way" to do things... every keeper, collector, breeder end up doing what ever works best for them. there are wrongs and rights, but how the individual keeper GETS there may vary. we work with what we have.

there are definite things you can do to improve on the safety, like feeding p/k or f/t. i personally like to feed p/k. i will never leave a live rodent (other than a pink/fuzzy) in with any of my animals. i felt terrible when my boas head tore open.

i happen to have an incredible supply of rodents not too far away. they are SAS Supply. their rodents are fantastic! they definitely go above and beyond when it comes to proper nutrition and care for the rodents. when i purchase my animals directely from them, i don't use suppliments, but in between orders, when i have to buy at my local pet goods store, i suppliment with multi-vitamin and calcium powders. VERY LITTLE, because as you've stated, the rodents at most pet shops are less likely to be properly fed/cared for. i also make sure the suppliments i purchase have no vitamin "A" which in large doses can be toxic to reptiles. i basically put a PINCH of each powder (1:1 ratio) on the head of the prey. i don't do it all the time.

personally, i believe it to be a benefit. is it necessary, probably not. my guys grow pretty fast, don't suffer from pin-head syndrome (from power feeding), look great, and their color is fantastic. maybe i'm lucky, maybe it's a good feeding source with the occassional suppliment.

if the boa doesn't take it right away, it eventually will. we cannot assume to impose our will on them. we find out what makes them tick and then go for it. dipping the head of the rodent in chicken soup works... boas love bird, braining works, scenting with mice, chicken, gunniea pigs, or lizards work, feeding p/k first, followed by a f/t works, etc, etc, etc...

you have to find out what works with your individual boa, because what works with mine will not necessarily work with yours.

you know he likes mice... may i suggest that you scent using used mouse bedding. thaw it out, if it is dry, shake it up in mouse bedding, then serve. see if he goes for it.

you've stated you keep birds... take some feathers and rub it on the prey. ! ! ! B A M ! ! ! i'm hungry just thinkin' about it!

one thing to keep in mind, BE PATIENT. sometimes it can take a while.

sorry for the blab. it is now early saturday morning and i'm home... bored.

will

pcncb · #45 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 06:25 AM

Start with fresh killed rats. Its hard to do at first but it gets easier to kill the rats. Get his attention with a rat, whack it(I use about a 2-3 ounce mini hammer to the back of the skull) and toss it in.

Also, have you ever tried leaving the f/t in the tank over night?

I have a 3'+ hog female that is capable of eating large rats. They leave a big buldge but about every 2 weeks, she eats with no negative affects. A 4' male should do fine on a large rat every 2 weeks, even that would be more than enough food.

Buddy's Mommy · #46 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 03:21 PM

well after all the horror stories I got him a frozen rat yesterday...gonna try today...but the other day I bought a live "small" rat (this was the biggest darn small rat I ever bought!) and he took one look at it and freaked and went the other way! lolololol he is a sissy not a snake...He was bitten when he was younger,,,,I guess he still remembers it...he will only take small rats or jumbo mice...I'm not making this stuff up....lol.....And I have NEVER left him alone with anything live..not even mice...I know better than that...I'm going to try the thawed rat today (the other one has now become our pet...she's so sweet I'm glad he didn't eat her!)
everyone keeps saying to do whats best for Buddy not me...I thought I was by not letting him starve! It's hard to watch a young healthy snake not eat for 2 months and get thinner and weaker by the day! when I say I tried...I mean I TRIED! The money I spent on frozen rats that I had to throw out daily because my latest attempt didn't work...everything (except the bird feathers....I never thought of that) that you guys suggested to do with a dead rat I tried...the little dummy refused them all! and the exposed brain...I didn't do that either...I'm not sure I can handle that...and for sure i'm not whacking a live one! I would botch that for SURE and the poor rat would be the one to pay that price...but I'll try today ...again...in the meantime....does the mating/restless thing pass fast? or will he be more loopy than usual for an extended time?

cb76 · #47 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 06:49 AM

lol! i hope he's not one of those picky ones...

good luck, let us know how it turns out

WVW · #48 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 09:12 PM

ok I didnt bother reading all 3 pages of posts but from what I have read i will say this:

A) Get that snake into a 5'+ tank!!! I have my hogg in a 36 long and the snake is only 36" long, not 5'8". I have a RTB of similer length, and its in a 48x18 and it way overdue for an upgrade. I'm in prosses of building her an 8'x4' tank, and my hogg will get her old one for the time being. this is my rule of thumb, the tank should be at least as long as the snake, and the width should be half the length. height should be at least 16" IMO for a boa, especially a hogg, which are climbers.

B) take the time and work to get him on f/t. my hogg is very picky as well and she went 2 months without when just a baby and I eventually gave in and fed her live, just to get her to a healthy weight. but now she has done some growing and is a very healthy weight so now I am putting her back on f/t. she sometimes refuses but when she does I dont give in, i just make her wait a few days or a week and try again. try this approach and I belive you will find success. GL with everything.

TammyJamaica · #49 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhonaker

and feeding more then one pray item is just not healthy

Sorry I do not agree fully with this statement. I mean, with so many "pray" items in the prayer book, why starve the poor thing? JUST JOKING.

I feed whatever prey items I have at the time, if it's two smaller items, so be it. Never did any harm that I can see. Make sure to feed them one after the other as soon as the snake has "yawned" after swallowing the first one.

Sorry about that stupid joke. Don't take any notice. Yah right.

JohnnyK · #50 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartan 117

ok I didnt bother reading all 3 pages of posts but from what I have read i will say this:
A) Get that snake into a 5'+ tank!!! I have my hogg in a 36 long and the snake is only 36" long, not 5'8". I have a RTB of similer length, and its in a 48x18 and it way overdue for an upgrade. I'm in prosses of building her an 8'x4' tank, and my hogg will get her old one for the time being. this is my rule of thumb, the tank should be at least as long as the snake, and the width should be half the length. height should be at least 16" IMO for a boa, especially a hogg, which are climbers.
B) take the time and work to get him on f/t. my hogg is very picky as well and she went 2 months without when just a baby and I eventually gave in and fed her live, just to get her to a healthy weight. but now she has done some growing and is a very healthy weight so now I am putting her back on f/t. she sometimes refuses but when she does I dont give in, i just make her wait a few days or a week and try again. try this approach and I belive you will find success. GL with everything.

I dont think that a cage needs to be at least the length of the snake. Most boas will be fine in a 4x2 cage. Most breed in 4x2x12" cages to save space. A large Hog Island will be fine in a cage this size.

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