New Rbt behaving oddly???

Amanda_24 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 05:46 PM

Hope someone will be able to help me out here. I purchased my first Boa a week ago he is 10 moths old and approx 4' 6" in length. All was well he handled nicely and is due to be fed for the first time tomorrow. He hasnt once hissed at me etc. Now I am worried that he is too docile. I put him back into his Vivarium today and instead of curling up he is stretched out behind his water bath with eyes almost closed and even if i put my hand in beside him I am getting hardly any reaction at all!!

Apart from this he looks healthy he doesnt look dehydrated etc. But also worried he is going to get too cold at that side of the tank and this is the first time he has behaved like this, and as this is my first large snake I am at aloss as to what could be wrong.

Any feed back would be really appreciated. The only thing I can think of is that I havent got him a hide yet so maybe he is feeling a little insecure or maybe I have been handling him too much??? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
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Dr.Oviparous · #2 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 06:14 PM

From what you wrote, I don't see any problem with him at all, just seems like a docile laid back snake. As long as that is it, and he is NOT lathargic at all. DOes he ever have fluids coming from his nostrils or mouth? Toungue movement should be frequent, and fast. Snakes eyes don't really "close", due to the lack of eyelids however [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] If you still think something might not be right I would suggest taking him to a REPTILE vet. (there are a lot of vets out there that say they know heprs, but really just want your money, make sure the one you go to really does know what he is looking at). What is the snake's name? and WELCOME TO RTB!! -Juggalo
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JonnyB · #3 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 06:36 PM

I would agree with Juggalofwb there make sure that your temps are correct should be
should be a gradient 86-88 warm and 78-80 cool dropping about 4 degrees at night
the snake will move accordingly
Welcome to RTB/RH
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Amanda_24 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 06:37 PM

Thanks for the welcome and the advice. Maybe I'm just being cynical cos he seems too good to be true as he hadnt been handled much. I checked for any runniness of eyes etc and all looks good.

He came from a reputable breeding centre here in south africa so maybe I've just got lucky. He is due to be fed tomorrow so if he feeds okay I will give him a day or two and then just take back to the breeding centre for their vet to take a look.

Once again thanks [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Ahh and just one more thing. I must sound stupid but this is my first experience with boas. When I handle him all he wants to do is climb up!! and makes a bee line for my face. Not agressively just curious but its a bit unnerving must admit. Is this normal? and he just doesnt want me to hold him to near to his head thats the only time he gets agitated but its hard to keep him out of striking distance of my face. Any suggestions???
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TONYHAWKINS · #5 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 07:33 PM

whats the temp inside the enviornment boas temp should be maintain at 85-88 degrees in the basking area. if he's hanging out never the water bowl it sound like he trying to cool off. and what size cage do you have. because i had customers with the same problem that had the enviornment to hot for the animal, and one of the reason was that the cage was to size for the bulb wattage. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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Kwanzaa · #6 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 07:40 PM

when i get my boa out i let him go anywhere he wants, he usually ends up either on the floor by crawling down my body, or around my head area.

As far as holding near the head, dont, they dont like being touched there, its like their 'special area', if i need to move him i usually pick him up at the first third of his body, and the last third of his body, thats usually all i need to do.

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RoYaL_619 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 08:43 PM

what kind of boa do you have , and do you have any pics to post [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]
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captainmorgan · #8 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 10:30 PM

I'm just going to add that at 4'6", it's older than 10 months. Whoever told you the age is a little off I think. Just my .02 welcome to the site....
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Ed_r · #9 (**permalink**) 06-30-2003, 02:59 AM

I agree CptMorgan. Age is way off.But thats no big deal, probably 1yr 10 months would be a good guestamate. Boas for the most part are fairly placid even without handling. I'm speaking of the Columbian Boa Constrictors that are very common in the pet trade in th US. They are semi arboreal which means they do climb trees, but usually porefer to be on the ground. They are incredibly curious. Mine love to sniff my face and rub against me beard. If it is headshy (which is not uncommon in any snake) just lower your arm or gently take your hand about 6-10" behind his head on the belly at gently lft him off your face.
Not sure what your feeding plans are with it. I really hope your going to feed the snake frozen thawed prey, and not live. Boas are very easy to get to eat f/t prey.
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Dr.Oviparous · #10 (**permalink**) 06-30-2003, 04:36 AM

Also, touching on the head issue, it's always best to place your hand in front of and under the snake's head and wait a few seconds for the snake to slither onto your hand it's self, or come slowly from behind and under the snake's head. Basically, you want to be a tree that your snake is climbing on, move slowly but deliberatly. -Juggalo
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Amanda_24 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-01-2003, 02:16 AM

thank you for all the imput ppl but really this snake is not acting true to charecter i dont think.
he is placid he never hisses at me i can handle him but he wont stay wrapped around me he wants off and all over the place I trust him so much now im handling him bare handed etc etc but tried to feed him yesterday and he isnt even slightly interested twice he has managed to open the glass sliding door and halfway out before i got him and made him go back. dont know if he is just a reptile with charecter or if im doing something badly wrong here. He doesnt hiss at me or go to defense mode if i put my hand near him loves to be out and with me but wont stay still for a minute and refuses food but ive only had him now a week so not sure of what to do here .

He seems really healthy and sociable far too sociable in fact and as someone said in the other posts he is large for a so called 10 month old lol. but the reptile centre i bought him from swears he is only 10 months. Could he be refusing food cos he is still settling in and stuff and could anyone advise me how to handle him etc to stop him just trying to hi tail it off in every direction the minute he is out of his enclosure.

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Amanda_24 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-01-2003, 02:24 AM

sorry trying to catch up on all the posts. I have taken pics of him but dont know how to get them on the site here and he is soo placid he let me lay him out against the length of me today and he measures one inch short of me and im actually 5' 2" so bigger than i thought.

Temps ive checked carefully and humidity they are okay. In fact he is a happy reptile its me who is a little uneasy and not sure how to handle such a big beastie and worried cos he wouldnt take any sort of food and feeling guilty cos i killed something that he didnt even eat .
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Ed_r · #13 (**permalink**) 07-01-2003, 02:27 AM

They are VERY Curious. They love to be out of their cage, and explore.
If it is in fact 10 months old they must have fed the bajeezus out of it. Do you have a pic?
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Amanda_24 · #14 (**permalink**) 07-01-2003, 02:31 AM

taken pics but dont know how to get them up on here. And he is definitely curious lol. im sitting here now and he is doing his best to nose open the sliding doors lol.

I have never ever before encountered a snake with a personality like this honestly its almost scary .
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Ed_r · #15 (**permalink**) 07-01-2003, 02:44 AM

Yeah they are masters of figuring out the weak spot of a cage, and learn to exploit that very quickly. I would get a display lock for the sliding doors.
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