Odd behavior for a boa?

Huey1A9 · 10-09-15, 01:17 AM

Just curious if this is odd behavior or if it is indicative of something. I have a coastal rosy boa about 1.5 years old measuring 18" long. Just this evening she decided to start mounding up the substrate near her hide into this big mountain! I have never seen her do this in the year I've had her so I don't know if it means anything.

I was thinking that maybe it could be a hibernation behavior, but she didn't do it last winter. Other thought was pregnancy, but I've never had her around another snake and she was fairly young when I adopted her, so I'd assume that's an unlikely scenario.

Any input would be appreciated!

**Pareeeee** · 10-09-15, 07:17 AM

How old is she?

My adult rosy boa brumates on his own every year. He recently stopped eating, started mounding up his substrate and is avoiding his warm hide. Don't be surprised if yours stops eating too (depends on her age). Mine stops eating from October to April every year like clockwork. He scared me half to death the first time he did it, but it's normal.

Only downside to this natural behaviour is that I can't handle him for half the year. Handling a snake in brumation causes them to expend energy and use up fat reserves. I only handle to check his weight and health.

PsychoSnake · 10-09-15, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

My adult rosy boa brumates on his own every year. He recently stopped eating, started mounding up his substrate and is avoiding his warm hide. Don't be surprised if yours stops eating too (depends on her age). Mine stops eating from October to April every year like clockwork. He scared me half to death the first time he did it, but it's normal.

My eldest rosy does this too. And she also scared me when she didn't eat for half the year! I think some Rosies are sensitive to the changes in daylight hours.

Huey1A9 · 10-09-15, 09:59 AM

i estimate she is 1.5 years old, cant be too sure though because I bought here from the pet store without any real knowledge of her DOB. She was tiny when I picked her up, and has since doubled in size so I can only assume she was a pup when I bought her.