Why wont he eat?

Bo · #1 (**permalink**) 03-26-2004, 07:22 PM

I got my boa for Christmas..... the day after I brought him home he regurgetated the rat he ate the day before at the pet store..... since then he has only eaten a small mouse..... i had no themometer to check the temps so I didnt know what was going on.... i got one a couple of days ago and the temps were low ...... i got them up and he finally pooped.... but he still wont eat.... ive had him since December , hes only eaten a little mouse, and he wont eat now... before he pooped he was just laying around acting sick but afterward hes movinh mush more i guess he was just constipated... but he still hasnt eaten.... n e suggestions????

eddie · #2 (**permalink**) 03-26-2004, 07:30 PM

What are your temps at now?
And, stress is probably still taking its toll on him now, as it looks to me like he has been cold for so long and just now getting warmed up a bit.
Give him a week more, before offering food, making sure to keep fresh water in for him, so he can drink, don't disturb him at all if possible and let him chill

Bo · #3 (**permalink**) 03-26-2004, 07:35 PM

The temps are around 96-98 and i try to keep them a little lower at night

toker · #4 (**permalink**) 03-26-2004, 07:49 PM

Your temps should never be over 88f ... what is your humidity like?

eddie · #5 (**permalink**) 03-26-2004, 07:54 PM

Wow!
Temps are way to high, if they are being read by the thermometers correctly

Strips and dials can be very innaccurite for reading temps

Also, where you read the temps can play a big role in what the actual temps are, higher up on the cage can give high reads.
Best to check on the substrate and about one inch above substrate.

You'll want the temps to be at a high of 88ish near the substrate.. any higher and it will deffinately cause stress from lack of true thermoregulation and can easily make a snake become beef jerky as too high of a temp can literally suck the water right out of a snake that isn't adapted to handle higher than normal temps.

High temps also make it a pita to keep humidity levels in the recommended range for a boa also and the two together, too hot and too dry = stress.

Stress can kill.

captainmorgan · #6 (**permalink**) 03-26-2004, 08:00 PM

I think the reason for the first regurge of the rat was probably stress. It's usually a good idea upon getting a new snake to wait a week or two to let it get used to it's new home before feeding. Temps are high, Toker hit the nail, shoot for 88 on the warm side and maybe 82 for the cooler side. The 2 things that help digestion is heat and movement. Do you use a heat rock? I don't recommend it. It puts out alot of heat, but not really surface heat that a heating pad that you can stick UNDER not IN your tank. I've found they work great. Humidity is tricky. It never wants to stay at 60% so you may want to get a spray bottle to boost up the humidity. It helps alot during shed too. Poop is a good sign. Good luck.

Bo · #7 (**permalink**) 03-26-2004, 08:04 PM

Thanks i wasnt sure what the tepms should be but i thought i read something that said to have them around high 90s apparently i was wrong ill adjust i use an under cage heat pad and im using a light as a source of heat as well because the heat pad only generates enough heat for around 70 degrees but thanks for the suggestions and i will adjust thanks

eddie · #8 (**permalink**) 03-26-2004, 08:18 PM

Ryan...
I am more inclined that the trip home led to the regurge, after all it was within
the time frame of 'no handling after eating' that most of us follow.

Quote:

the day after I brought him home he regurgetated the rat he ate the day before at the pet store....

If I recall, it was covered on another thread

And Bo.. please get something accurite to measure temps wth before adjusting them as both extremes, too high and too low are very stressful for the snake

and it will continually be a problematic critter due to the stress

Wrasse · #9 (**permalink**) 03-27-2004, 02:50 AM

Slip on over to this link:

http://redtailboa.net/index.php?modu...pages&subid=10

and print yourself off a caresheet for your Boa. There is some really good information there and it should help to set you on the right path for the best care for your new baby.
Temps, enclosures, substrate, feeding, everything is covered.

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