anyone have any ideas about this?

ktownjulie · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 03:02 AM

ok, I am new here...I have adopted a six year old RTB (male) three months ago. It's my first snake too. I am in love though

Now he is fed f/r. His cage temp is 80, his humdity is currently 70%. I brought the humdity up to 70% in the past few days because he was "in blue." His first shed went great, then his last shed was in pieces (which told me he needed more humdity). He has been cranky since his last shed (I did soaked him to help remove the last pieces btw). Then two weeks ago I took him out of his cage and he bit me (first time in 6 years he has done that). I obviously handled him wrong. Now he has not shed though his eyes are clear again. Today two spots appeared on his "nose." He is not as active as he was two months ago too. I took a picture of his white spots. I hope someone has an idea. I wonder if he scraped himself and it needs neosporn?

Shadrach · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 03:08 AM

Looks like he knocked off some scales but doesn't seem to have broken the skin at all. They'll more than likely grow back in a few sheds. I wouldn't worry about it too much but you may want to keep an eye on him and make sure hes not pressing his nose up against his cage too much starting a nose rub.

ktownjulie · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 11:45 AM

Last night he was rubbing his nose on his cage. I thought he was going to shed but no...is there another reason he'd rub his nose?

ktownjulie · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 11:46 AM

Also, his eyecaps were milky and blue, then they cleared like his previous sheds but he hasn't shed is this normal?

spike06 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 12:40 PM

that happened to my rainbow boa a few months ago. i kept a close eye on it to make sure it didnt get worse. luckily it didnt and it went away within a few sheds

ktownjulie · #6 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008, 01:40 PM

Thanks everyone. He seems to be doing better. He stopped rubbing his nose. I am always worried about the little things

jbd123 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008, 03:12 PM

If you really want to you can put a little neosporin on those spots to keep infections at bay, it can't hurt to do it. But I'm glad he's doing better for you.

Adrya · #8 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008, 05:54 PM

Cage temps should be 88-90 on the warm side, and 78-80 on the cool side. It's also important that boas have belly heat, so heat tape hooked up to a dimmer to control the heat on the warm side should do it... about 90-92 for the heat tape.

TammyJamaica · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 05:40 PM

You recently adopted a six year old boa who has now bitten you "for the first time in six years". Were you closely acquainted with him and his owner before you adopted him? Maybe it is not the first time at all!

I think their eyes clear up just before they shed sometimes.

Maybe you should take him to a herp vet and get a good checkup to make sure all is well with him. And Adrya gave good advice re the temps.

Good luck with him!

John_White · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 06:10 PM

With many snakes, the shed cycle starts with the eyes turning blueish, then the eyes clear and usually 3-10 days after the eyes clear the snake sheds. The rubbing on the snake's nose is an indication that it is trying to shed. As always, check you enclosure temperatures and bump-up the humidity. One simple way to increase enclosure humidity during the shedding process is to mist the snake and enclosure a couple times a day. Mist with warm (~80-85° F) water.

mhartmann · #11 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 08:24 PM

also if you need some belly heat and only have overhead heat, you can put a flat rock or something ceramic under the hot spot so that will warm up providing some belly heat. Give some time for him to shed. what size enclosure is he in? What kind of enclosure?

ktownjulie · #12 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 02:06 PM

His cage was custom built by his previous owner. It is approx. 5' x 5' x 3'. It has the base (which is off the floor), and three shelves. He has a hot shelf, and two cool ones. He has a hide box (jumbo kitty liter box turned over with a hole cut in the side), which is also covered in reptile carpet for another surface to use. He has a huge branch to climb on too. His cage has an automatic mister that keeps the humdity at 55%. Then I mist him with warm water twice a day. The one thing I would have done differently if I had built the cage - make it humdity/waterproof. I will probably have to rebuild his cage in the spring...before it's a problem. Also, I have to climb in his cage to reach all the corners, so I would change that too.
I have known him for a long time. He is a gentle snake. His previous owner moved to Europe and couldn't take him. I jumped at the chance to have him.

He stopped rubbing his nose. His temper is better again. I suppose it passed, whatever was upsetting him.

Thanks again.

Advertisement