New baby Brazilian Rainbow Boa not eating

[Shauna0522]

Hi everyone,
I have a new baby BRB she's about 45 days old I received her in the mail last Friday was told that she was fed every Saturday so it had been just about a week since she had been fed. I was actually very angry when I received her as she was extremely dehydrated and super cold. So I first warmed her up with my hands and then I put her in a water dish with some warm water and she just sat in there and soaked for about 10 to 20 minutes she is now in her aquarium with is Cypress substrate a hide on each side she's no longer dehydrated she's warm she's active I tried to feed her yesterday which was Monday and She took her food into her mouth but then she just let go and refused to eat I'm just wondering if this is normal, last night was the first time I actually seen her explore her home. I'm not sure how many times she ate before she was sold to me but I know that she wasn't taken good care of by the condition she was in when I got her. I'm worried that she could die if she doesn't eat soon but I'm not sure if that's something I need to worry about. Please help

[bigsnakegirl785]

Always give a new arrival 1-2 weeks without handling *before* offering food, your boa likely needs more time to settle in. Give her 1-2 weeks from the day you offered the food, and then offer again. Make sure you're feeding small enough prey, at just over a month old she's probably still going to be on fuzzy mice, too big of prey items can sometimes intimidate them and keep them from eating.

Even a baby rainbow can easily go months without eating, especially since she's already eaten several meals. She isn't going to die in the next week or two just because she hasn't eaten.

[Shauna0522]

Always give a new arrival 1-2 weeks without handling *before* offering food, your boa likely needs more time to settle in. Give her 1-2 weeks from the day you offered the food, and then offer again. Make sure you're feeding small enough prey, at just over a month old she's probably still going to be on fuzzy mice, too big of prey items can sometimes intimidate them and keep them from eating.

Even a baby rainbow can easily go months without eating, especially since she's already eaten several meals. She isn't going to die in the next week or two just because she hasn't eaten.
I have pinky mice that I will feed her I'm not sure what a fuzzy is she is the first baby snake I have ever had. I will hold off feeding her though thank you.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I have pinky mice that I will feed her I'm not sure what a fuzzy is she is the first baby snake I have ever had. I will hold off feeding her though thank you.

Fuzzies are the size above pinkies. They have a full body of hair, but haven't opened their eyes yet. The next size are hoppers, they have opened their eyes and started moving about hence the name "hoppers." I generally don't see a switch to hoppers until about 6-8 months old for BRBs, and they'll stay on hoppers until they're 1+ years old, if you don't overfeed. (I have experienced this with my BRBs and had this information verified by my BRBs' breeder as well. People who feed heavier will notice more rapid growth, but it's healthier for them to be slow grown.)

[Shauna0522]

Fuzzies are the size above pinkies. They have a full body of hair, but haven't opened their eyes yet. The next size are hoppers, they have opened their eyes and started moving about hence the name "hoppers." I generally don't see a switch to hoppers until about 6-8 months old for BRBs, and they'll stay on hoppers until they're 1+ years old, if you don't overfeed. (I have experienced this with my BRBs and had this information verified by my BRBs' breeder as well. People who feed heavier will notice more rapid growth, but it's healthier for them to be slow grown.)
Ok thank you do you happen to know and what age I should switch to fuzziest? I definitely don't what to over feed her I want her to be as healthy as possible.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Ok thank you do you happen to know and what age I should switch to fuzziest? I definitely don't what to over feed her I want her to be as healthy as possible.

They should be able to be started on fuzzies from birth. The meals might seem large-ish, but fuzzies aren't that much bigger than pinks, and they're more nutritious. She should grow into them quickly, but I'd be afraid of pinks not being enough food for proper growth.

[Shauna0522]

They should be able to be started on fuzzies from birth. The meals might seem large-ish, but fuzzies aren't that much bigger than pinks, and they're more nutritious. She should grow into them quickly, but I'd be afraid of pinks not being enough food for proper growth.

Ok thank you

[Shauna0522]

[QUOTE=bigsnakegirl785;1031054]They should be able to be started on fuzzies from birth. The meals might seem large-ish, but fuzzies aren't that much bigger than pinks, and they're more nutritious. She should grow into them quickly, but I'd be afraid of pinks not being enough food for proper growth.[/QUOTE

So I just called the person that I got her from and they said that they are they were feeding live pinkies but I'm trying to feed Frozen thawed cuz I don't want her to get hurt is there something that I can do to get her to be enticed by these dead mice any tips and ideas would be great.

[Shauna0522]

So I have posted once before about my baby not eating so I haven't messed with her in a while as recommended by everyone. She isn't wanting to eat Frozen thawed so i called the guy I got her from and they were feeding live. I'm going to get her a live pinky but I'm hoping someone can give me some tips on how to get her to transition to the Frozen thawed.

[bigsnakegirl785]

So I just called the person that I got her from and they said that they are they were feeding live pinkies but I'm trying to feed Frozen thawed cuz I don't want her to get hurt is there something that I can do to get her to be enticed by these dead mice any tips and ideas would be great.

Just give her time to settle in, and keep offering f/t until she takes it. You can also try heating them up, the warmer it is, the more enticing it is for them. I had a baby that would sometimes give me troubles. Running it under the hot tap for a few seconds just so the outside was warm, and then just wiggling it around until he finally took it generally worked. If that does't work, you can try leaving it in overnight, sometimes they'll eat it later when no one is looking. Make sure you're waiting 1-2 weeks between offers, offering too much can stress them out. She can go a long time without eating, so it's basically just a waiting game.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I wouldn't bother with the live pinky, just stick to offering f/t fuzzy mice. She will eventually come around, I gave a few tips in the other thread you made.

[Shauna0522]

Just give her time to settle in, and keep offering f/t until she takes it. You can also try heating them up, the warmer it is, the more enticing it is for them. I had a baby that would sometimes give me troubles. Running it under the hot tap for a few seconds just so the outside was warm, and then just wiggling it around until he finally took it generally worked. If that does't work, you can try leaving it in overnight, sometimes they'll eat it later when no one is looking. Make sure you're waiting 1-2 weeks between offers, offering too much can stress them out. She can go a long time without eating, so it's basically just a waiting game.

Ok I'll just do that then I hadn't seen this when I posted the other message. I wasn't trying to make it sound like you didn't know what you were talking about. She just has me worried. I was reading an article saying that I should trying Pinky rats instead of mice, the article that I read said that sometimes if you start them out on mice they don't want to graduate to rats is this something that you've run into or should I just not worry about it?
Thank you for your help Bsg.

[Louis Z]

I put frozen fuzzy in the cage at the start of dusk or lights out . It thawed out as the BRB started to get active at night . They like to hunt at night. If they are hungry they will eat. I put the fuzzy mouse on a ceramic tile so as not to get it dirty. In the morning I will pull it out if the snake didn't eat. Start making a journal of when you try to feed and when they eat . I have a small blue bulb dim light in the room to simulate moonlight and I can see them move around. I don't put the light on the tank just opposite in the room of the tank . Do you have a heat gradient from warm to cool on opposite sides of tank? If not warm enough they may not want to eat. fuzzy rats are bigger than fuzzy mice . They need to eat something as thick as their midsection. What you read . Was it talking about baby BRBs or other type of snake? If so can u reference the link.

[Louis Z]

It's hard to beat the enticement of a warm live pinky vs a thawed cool pinkie.

[Shauna0522]

I put frozen fuzzy in the cage at the start of dusk or lights out . It thawed out as the BRB started to get active at night . They like to hunt at night. If they are hungry they will eat. I put the fuzzy mouse on a ceramic tile so as not to get it dirty. In the morning I will pull it out if the snake didn't eat. Start making a journal of when you try to feed and when they eat . I have a small blue bulb dim light in the room to simulate moonlight and I can see them move around. I don't put the light on the tank just opposite in the room of the tank . Do you have a heat gradient from warm to cool on opposite sides of tank? If not warm enough they may not want to eat. fuzzy rats are bigger than fuzzy mice . They need to eat something as thick as their midsection. What you read . Was it talking about baby BRBs or other type of snake? If so can u reference the link.
Yeah it was talking about baby BRB's I will try to find it for you and post it later

[Shauna0522]

I put frozen fuzzy in the cage at the start of dusk or lights out . It thawed out as the BRB started to get active at night . They like to hunt at night. If they are hungry they will eat. I put the fuzzy mouse on a ceramic tile so as not to get it dirty. In the morning I will pull it out if the snake didn't eat. Start making a journal of when you try to feed and when they eat . I have a small blue bulb dim light in the room to simulate moonlight and I can see them move around. I don't put the light on the tank just opposite in the room of the tank . Do you have a heat gradient from warm to cool on opposite sides of tank? If not warm enough they may not want to eat. fuzzy rats are bigger than fuzzy mice . They need to eat something as thick as their midsection. What you read . Was it talking about baby BRBs or other type of snake? If so can u reference the link.

Here is the link to the article I was reading

The Rainbow Boa.co.uk - Brazilian Rainbow Boa care sheet, Brazilian Rainbow boa care, Brazilian Rainbow Boa information, Brazilian Rainbow Boa breeding, Brazilian Rainbow boas in captivity. (http://www.therainbowboa.co.uk/Brazilian_rainbow_boa_caresheet.htm)

[Louis Z]

Reading the article . Start to feed rat pups at an early age. Doesn't mean to start off with them immediately . Still think size of snake dictates what size to feed currently. Over the next 8 to 12 months your boa will grow and be large enough to eat larger prey and if you take the advice of feeding rats do so when they can easily accommodate the prey . Just provide the right environment for them. Humidity, heat gradient of low 70s to mid 80s . I use two water bowls . One large enough to soak in and another just to drink from . . I have the larger soaking bowl over a heat mat so that it is not so cold . Hides for them to curl up in . I use the fake coconut shells which can be easily cleaned . I like to use potted plants in my enclosures. That way I can remove them when not doing well or when cleaning the cage . I realize that some say to use paper and clean the cage weekly but I don't like to keep such a sterile cage . My boa seems very outgoing with lights off searching through the foliage and likes to climb and perch further up than always at ground level . But she also likes to be in a hide spot too . They are slow and never in a rush. I think you are worrying to much . Now my kingsnakes are pigs and always strike fast as soon as I introduce food . When I work on the cage they poke their heads out to see if I am bringing food . Different personalities . One thing I do recommend is to weigh your snake and keep records along with when they eat . This is very helpful when you see a vet. I recommend looking for one ahead of time before actually needed. A vet that knows reptiles.

[Shauna0522]

Reading the article . Start to feed rat pups at an early age. Doesn't mean to start off with them immediately . Still think size of snake dictates what size to feed currently. Over the next 8 to 12 months your boa will grow and be large enough to eat larger prey and if you take the advice of feeding rats do so when they can easily accommodate the prey . Just provide the right environment for them. Humidity, heat gradient of low 70s to mid 80s . I use two water bowls . One large enough to soak in and another just to drink from . . I have the larger soaking bowl over a heat mat so that it is not so cold . Hides for them to curl up in . I use the fake coconut shells which can be easily cleaned . I like to use potted plants in my enclosures. That way I can remove them when not doing well or when cleaning the cage . I realize that some say to use paper and clean the cage weekly but I don't like to keep such a sterile cage . My boa seems very outgoing with lights off searching through the foliage and likes to climb and perch further up than always at ground level . But she also likes to be in a hide spot too . They are slow and never in a rush. I think you are worrying to much . Now my kingsnakes are pigs and always strike fast as soon as I introduce food . When I work on the cage they poke their heads out to see if I am bringing food . Different personalities . One thing I do recommend is to weigh your snake and keep records along with when they eat . This is very helpful when you see a vet. I recommend looking for one ahead of time before actually needed. A vet that knows reptiles.

Ok I will do that thanks for your help

[Shauna0522]

Reading the article . Start to feed rat pups at an early age. Doesn't mean to start off with them immediately . Still think size of snake dictates what size to feed currently. Over the next 8 to 12 months your boa will grow and be large enough to eat larger prey and if you take the advice of feeding rats do so when they can easily accommodate the prey . Just provide the right environment for them. Humidity, heat gradient of low 70s to mid 80s . I use two water bowls . One large enough to soak in and another just to drink from . . I have the larger soaking bowl over a heat mat so that it is not so cold . Hides for them to curl up in . I use the fake coconut shells which can be easily cleaned . I like to use potted plants in my enclosures. That way I can remove them when not doing well or when cleaning the cage . I realize that some say to use paper and clean the cage weekly but I don't like to keep such a sterile cage . My boa seems very outgoing with lights off searching through the foliage and likes to climb and perch further up than always at ground level . But she also likes to be in a hide spot too . They are slow and never in a rush. I think you are worrying to much . Now my kingsnakes are pigs and always strike fast as soon as I introduce food . When I work on the cage they poke their heads out to see if I am bringing food . Different personalities . One thing I do recommend is to weigh your snake and keep records along with when they eat . This is very helpful when you see a vet. I recommend looking for one ahead of time before actually needed. A vet that knows reptiles.

Ok I guess I misunderstood what it was saying i will start a log also thank you.

[Aaron_S]

I merged your threads to keep all the answers easy to find for you.