My Red Tail is Lazy!!!

oso · #1 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 11:27 PM

My redtail boa stays in one area of the cage almost constantly, burrowed under the substrate and never comes onto the surface and really doesn't move to areas of the cage much, is this normal? Also, what is the correct humidity range? I have heard many different ideas on it ranging from fourty to seventy. Thanks. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif[/img]
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travis66 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 11:33 PM

i like to keep my humidity at about 60.boa's are not very active animals.that is normal.mine only ever really move around when its night.that is why i like to use a red light on them.
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wino · #3 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 11:37 PM

Oso, what type of substrate??
Also, what are the day and night hot/cool temps?

When my boa was on aspen, she burrowed and STAYED burrowed.
When I put her back on bark, she seemed to be more active, and more prdictable in her behaviour.

Coincedence?
Who knows.

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oso · #4 (**permalink**) 04-24-2002, 09:44 AM

I was also wondering, a few days ago my red tail's eyes turned cloudy so naturally i figured it will shed soon, i put it above the substarte to see it today and its eyes had cleared and its colors are still bright, i know sometimes they will clear up a couple days before shedding, but what really bothered me was it seemed like one area around the edge of the mouth and going back in a straight line the skin was extremely loose, this is simply shedding behavior, right? I appreciate the help. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif[/img]
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oso · #5 (**permalink**) 04-25-2002, 10:28 PM

I put my boa above the substrate again today and the skin appears very loose, however the colors are not faded and the eyes are still clear, please help me.
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oso · #6 (**permalink**) 04-25-2002, 10:31 PM

i just gave the snake a spray down and also realized it is making a strong wheezing when it breethes, please someobdy help me.
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morti · #7 (**permalink**) 04-25-2002, 10:38 PM

That snake probably needs a trip to the vet. Wheezing is one of the early signs of a respritory infection. I would like to know what type of substrate you are using, what the temps in the cage are, ect.
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oso · #8 (**permalink**) 04-26-2002, 05:34 AM

I am using a shredded unoiled and unscented blond wood for the substrate, I am about to switch it to coconut bark. The basking spot ranges between about 78 at night to about 90 during the day, the humidity is kept usually between fourty at the lowest and preferably 60 percent. Someone else gave me a suggestion that since the wheezing is off and on and only occurred since the eyes became cloudy and stuff that it is still waiting to shed and the wheezing is because of loose skin around the nostrils, let me know what you think.
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oso · #9 (**permalink**) 04-27-2002, 02:22 AM

my snake has still not shed, I don't hear any wheezing, but its eyes are still clear (after they cleared up the first time) and it still hasn't shed, I am beginning to worry, plus, when should I take it out to hold/feed again? I am lost on this one, please help.
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GizmO · #10 (**permalink**) 04-27-2002, 02:41 AM

Hey Oso,
Welcome to redtail!
The eyes normally do clear up for a few days before a shed, that is nothing to worry about.
The wheezing could be a RI and in that case will need a vet and meds. If the eyes have been clear for a few days then your snake should shed very soon. If you still hear the wheezing i would definatly say take it to a good herp vet. Hope this helps some!
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