My baby boa wont eat

[carciady]

Hi I bought my baby male 100% het albino Boa 2 1/2 weeks ago from a local show, I was told to feed it on mice fuzzies, my temps are 87 deg. I have tried to feed him 3 times and he has not shown any interest, he has not struck at it or any thing. I have 2 adult boas and they eat every 2 weeks no probs. I have never had a baby one befor so I dont know if this is normal. Here is a pic of him.

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu316/carciady/DSC00336.jpg

[sassamagoo]

I just bought my baby boa about 2 months ago and he didn't eat for the first couple of weeks either. I've been told they need time to settle in to their new surroundings before they are comfortable enough to eat.

I wouldn't worry too much unless it goes longer than a month, but I'm sure there are others on here who can chime in with better advice.

Btw, are u feeding him f/t? f/k? live? Just curious. Maybe he was fed live before and now you are feeding f/t, or vice versa. Could be a confusion/change in diet issue if thats the case.

But I would just give him a little more time. Worked with mine, and now he's eaten every week for 6 weeks, no problem.

good luck!

[Will0W783]

When you say your temps are 87 degrees, do you mean throughout the whole cage? It is crucial to have a gradient, so your snake can thermoregulate. Snakes too hot or too cold often won't eat. You should have a basking spot in the hot end about 88-92, and in the rest of the cage should be 80-86. You should also have a water bowl big enough for the snake to soak itself in. They do this for hydration and to cool themselves and to rid themselves of mites and things in the wild. I wouldn't worry too much just yet, but I would check your temps and see if you can get it a bit hotter in your basking area and a bit cooler on the other end. I have a carpet who won't eat right now and I was quite worried until I talked to people who've had hatchlings go 6 months before eating and adults go 6-7 months!

[carciady]

When you say your temps are 87 degrees, do you mean throughout the whole cage? It is crucial to have a gradient, so your snake can thermoregulate. Snakes too hot or too cold often won't eat. You should have a basking spot in the hot end about 88-92, and in the rest of the cage should be 80-86. You should also have a water bowl big enough for the snake to soak itself in. They do this for hydration and to cool themselves and to rid themselves of mites and things in the wild. I wouldn't worry too much just yet, but I would check your temps and see if you can get it a bit hotter in your basking area and a bit cooler on the other end. I have a carpet who won't eat right now and I was quite worried until I talked to people who've had hatchlings go 6 months before eating and adults go 6-7 months!

Hi 87 deg is the temp in the middle of the tank it does have a basking end at 90 deg and a cool end at 84 deg. He still has not earen , I will try him on sunday when I feed my 2 adault boas.

Many thanks to both of you for the info. I hope you are both well,

All the best Ady

[Will0W783]

Sounds like your temps are good. I would contribute it to stress and just give him time to settle in. Try not to handle him or bother him much for a week and then try feeding.

[carciady]

Sounds like your temps are good. I would contribute it to stress and just give him time to settle in. Try not to handle him or bother him much for a week and then try feeding.

Many thanks I have left him alone, I will try again on friday. He looks fine, not loosing wieght.

[jonny666]

It will get there time and patience is the key. I don't know if you feed in the enclosure but if you do you might want to take it out and put it in a small tupperware container and see if that works. My .02.

[carciady]

He still has not eaten, shed or gone to the loo, he seems ok though.