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valid
06-24-13, 05:35 PM
So this is really random .. and probably a silly question .. but I am going to ask this anyway.

I did look into the behavior of sand boas before (and after) I decided I had my heart set on purchasing one. In very few of those read ups did I ever come acoss an opinion that they were a very 'active' (for lasck of a better word) or climbing species. This was one of the things that attracted me to them, their need are pretty minimalistic, and while I am not broke, I am not swimming in money at the moment either. Anywho I have noticed over the past 7 months that my little boa seems to be an exception. He seems to really want to climb. I have found him climbing all over the solitary plant I have in the enclosure with him - Also lately he seems to be attempting to scale the screen lid I have. It's not like he is frantically trying to escape he just lifts his body and scale the parameter.

He has had an episode where he did actually get out. I had a brief week long period in which I Had to have a friend watch both my boa and cat. That friend managed to loose both of them .. it's a pretty sore subject still - but apparently he just didn't know how to secure the top correctly, and the snake climbed right up the plant and out. (Luckily I found both the snake and the cat)

Is this behavior I should be worried about?
I don't believe it is the temps in the enclosure, I monitor them pretty closely (thermostat / thermometers etc.) .. and I don't think it is a disease ...

Should I add more for him to climb on in the enclosure? Or is that dangerous, because being a sand boa he does still spend a lot of time under the substrate - I just notice him always climbing when he is out.
If so, does any one have any good non-petsmart/petco climbing things (I really don't feel like spending 12$ on one climbling branch .. though I will if I have to)

Amadeus
06-24-13, 05:38 PM
It could mean he is hungry and trying to ''hunt".

Or he is just an exception and in this case add some more well anything for it to climb on, it'll let it get more exercise and make better use of its space.

valid
06-24-13, 05:41 PM
http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r794/hungryforgrace/WP_20130624_001_zpsb30d92c3.jpg

This is the enclosure as I have it now. I have tried Tpaper rolls in the past and he didn't seem to do anything with them. Yes, I know it's glass and not absolutely optimum, but it is what I have for now. I do plan in near future, If I can make some magic happen - get my cousin to build me an appropriate viv.

Amadeus
06-24-13, 05:45 PM
http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r794/hungryforgrace/WP_20130624_001_zpsb30d92c3.jpg

This is the enclosure as I have it now. I have tried Tpaper rolls in the past and he didn't seem to do anything with them. Yes, I know it's glass and not absolutely optimum, but it is what I have for now. I do plan in near future, If I can make some magic happen - get my cousin to build me an appropriate viv.

Looks fine as long as humidity is good (I have no idea what is optimal for this species) but no hides?

Cheap climbing accessories would be pvc piping, tall boxes that are also hides.

Be imaginative. =]

Mikoh4792
06-24-13, 05:46 PM
http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r794/hungryforgrace/WP_20130624_001_zpsb30d92c3.jpg

This is the enclosure as I have it now. I have tried Tpaper rolls in the past and he didn't seem to do anything with them. Yes, I know it's glass and not absolutely optimum, but it is what I have for now. I do plan in near future, If I can make some magic happen - get my cousin to build me an appropriate viv.

I don't know if that should be considered climbing, the plant is so short. I'd call it just trying to go over things like rocks, small bush..etc.

If you want to add more to enclosure but don't want to go to the pet store you could always put in rocks and wood from your back yard.

Or you could use something from your house like a ladder.

valid
06-24-13, 05:50 PM
It isn't that short, just the angle of the pic - It reaches up to and pokes out of the top of the enclosure.

As for feeding, that is what I thought at first, but I fed Saturday night, and I noticed the odd behavior again last night .. I doubt he is hungry again. I might try to build something though, that sounds fun.

smy_749
06-24-13, 05:54 PM
You could probably just get away with a glass aquarium, and sand/walnut shells/ aspen. There isn't anything wrong with a glass enclosure for this species. You don't need to cover the sides because they usually just burrow down and stay hidden anyways. You don't really need hides if your substrate is deep enough and burrow-able. Don't stress it. As for the climbing, better ask KKgal.

RyanReptile
06-24-13, 06:13 PM
Both my sand boas are pretty active after dark. Both of them explore all over their tubs and quite often attempt scaling the walls too. They are definitely very interesting species to work.

CK SandBoas
06-24-13, 06:18 PM
If your Sand Boa is male, and older than 6 months old, it's a good possibility he is looking to breed. All my males will become active and start climbing when they want to get a little action with the ladies.:D

It could also mean your temps may be a bit off, what are your current temps?

valid
06-24-13, 06:25 PM
The people I bought him from at the show had gotten the lot mixed up, so they were not 100% sure that the one i favored was male, but they 'thought' he was. being breeding age does seem to be the most logical, as the scaling has only been with in the past 2-3 months.

I have my hot side at 96 (with humid hide, as you suggested earlier) - the cool side at 75.

CK SandBoas
06-24-13, 06:29 PM
Your temps are fine, i keep mine at 95 with the cool end 75. I bet your little guy is just getting frustrated their are no ladies around! If you could post a pic of the underside of his tail, from the vent down, i may be able to tell you for sure if you do in fact have a male.

CK SandBoas
06-24-13, 06:32 PM
Actually, here is a pic of one my females tail, on top, and a male's, on the bottom. As you can see, the female has a shorter, stubbier tail... t

valid
06-24-13, 06:44 PM
Do these work?

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r794/hungryforgrace/WP_20130624_005_zps600763a6.jpg
http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r794/hungryforgrace/WP_20130624_006_zps9cfa2b59.jpg

CK SandBoas
06-24-13, 06:47 PM
Do these work?

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r794/hungryforgrace/WP_20130624_005_zps600763a6.jpg
http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r794/hungryforgrace/WP_20130624_006_zps9cfa2b59.jpg

Yes they do, and congratulations, it's a boy!:D

valid
06-24-13, 06:48 PM
Hooray xD
Thank you for all the help!

CK SandBoas
06-24-13, 06:49 PM
Hooray xD
Thank you for all the help!

You are very welcome! Any other questions, feel free to ask! :D

valid
06-24-13, 11:31 PM
http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r794/hungryforgrace/WP_20130624_008_zps5ae64f6f.jpghttp://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r794/hungryforgrace/WP_20130624_007_zps037fe6ed.jpg

This is the scaling behavior I was talking about. Him wanting to breed makes a lot of sense, it's just sort of odd to watch (I have light objects on the screen lid so my cats don't sit on top of the tank ex. the tooth brush. Odd but it works..)