can\'t get my boa on regular feeding schedule

[titums]

My boa susan is a real finicky eater , I can't seem to get her on a regular schedule, I try to feed 2 large rats or 1 jumbo every two weeks, she normally will refuse the food and every once in a while will eat, is this abnormal. Could she be sick or something wrong with her,

thanks
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[LdyDrgn]

If she is large enough to take 2 larges or a single jumbo... maybe she is of breedable size and wants to mate. How old/big is she?
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[titums]

Susan is almost 2 years old, about 6 feet in length and I would say close to 6 lbs.
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[Bleys]

We are having a simular problem with our Red Tail. We can't keep him on a feeding program. He'll go 4 weeks or more without eating. He just ate on May 16th, when should we try again to get him on a normal feeding schedule? He's around 5 foot and weighs maybe 4 or 5 pounds.
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[trinitywolf]

For a new snake owner, not eating can be a very stressful condition. The first piece of advice I can give you is to be patient. You will only worsen the condition by trying to feed your baby too often. Second, just like people some snakes just eat less than most others. Don't be overly alarmed just because your snake refuses a meal. Check your temps and humidity levels and make sure they are correct. Also make sure that your snake is not in a high traffic area. It may be that your baby is just stressed. You may also want to try going a little longer between feedings and feeding a little less. Titums, try to feed your boa once every 14 days one lg rat and not 2 or a jumbo.
I also agree with ldydrgn too, she may be ready to breed. However, it sounds like this is an ongoing problem and not something new. When a boa is interested in breeding it will sometimes go off feed for a few wks or monthhs, but that should not cause an ongoing problem.
Bleys, go 10-14 days between feedings on your boa and feed a slightly smaller prey item.
If the snake is not losing weight and is otherwise healthy I don't think two week intervals are bad for them. In fact, it is probably good for all of them occasionaly.

I'm sure others will have more to add. I hope this helps ya. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Good luck and let us know how it works out.
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