Kenyan Sand Boa Daytime Acrobatics

CameraSkunk · 01-07-18, 06:18 PM

Hello everyone. So please forgive me for possibly just being an over worried new parent.

I just purchased an approximately 1 year old Male Sand Boa. (Brought home on Jan 1). For the first week he pretty much just chilaxed under the substrait. I fed him on Friday 1 hopper mouse. (This was perhaps slightly smaller then the largest part of his body). For 24 hours after feeding he did as usual stayed under his sand with relatively no activity. Yesterday I noticed him sort of cruising around on the top of the sand. Today he has been very active with sand cruising and a lot of acrobatic feets of trying to get up the sides of the tank. Generally at the corners. When he is unsuccessful he crawls back under the sand for a few moments then back to it again.

He has a UTH that is attached to a Thermostat set for 92degrees, and a small light on top of the same spot that generates hot side temp on top of the sand around 93 degrees. The cold side of the tank does drop to mid seventies (Really cold lately in New England) Air temperature in the tank is measured at around 85 degrees or so while the light is on. Oh and a humidity range of 20 to 30% depending on if tank light is on or off.

Thoughts on if this is kinda normal (especially for happening while light is on). Is this maybe because he is hearing the call for courtship? Thanks for all of your help.

--On the second picture his head is upwards against the top screen. He is not upside down.

CK SandBoas · 01-07-18, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CameraSkunk

Hello everyone. So please forgive me for possibly just being an over worried new parent.

I just purchased an approximately 1 year old Male Sand Boa. (Brought home on Jan 1). For the first week he pretty much just chilaxed under the substrait. I fed him on Friday 1 hopper mouse. (This was perhaps slightly smaller then the largest part of his body). For 24 hours after feeding he did as usual stayed under his sand with relatively no activity. Yesterday I noticed him sort of cruising around on the top of the sand. Today he has been very active with sand cruising and a lot of acrobatic feets of trying to get up the sides of the tank. Generally at the corners. When he is unsuccessful he crawls back under the sand for a few moments then back to it again.

He has a UTH that is attached to a Thermostat set for 92degrees, and a small light on top of the same spot that generates hot side temp on top of the sand around 93 degrees. The cold side of the tank does drop to mid seventies (Really cold lately in New England) Air temperature in the tank is measured at around 85 degrees or so while the light is on. Oh and a humidity range of 20 to 30% depending on if tank light is on or off.

Thoughts on if this is kinda normal (especially for happening while light is on). Is this maybe because he is hearing the call for courtship? Thanks for all of your help.

--On the second picture his head is upwards against the top screen. He is not upside down.

It is very normal for these guys to cruise around and climb. And since you have a male, this is the time of year they get antsy for a girlfriend hehe.

CameraSkunk · 01-07-18, 06:34 PM

That was my assumption. CK SandBoas, I've read a few of your previous posts but .. as with a new parent I just had to get direct confirmation. He may be a snake but I loves him so

.

CK SandBoas · 01-07-18, 06:51 PM

And don't be alarmed if he goes off feed for a few months. That is also perfectly normal for males at this time of year . All of my adult male Kenyans, except one, are all off feed right now for the breeding season

CameraSkunk · 01-07-18, 07:16 PM

Thanks for the heads up. I'd read that somewhere else as well. Just wasn't sure what was considered the breeding season. That being said he did eat a nice hopper on Friday so I know he will eat, when he is ready to.

CK SandBoas · 01-07-18, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CameraSkunk

Thanks for the heads up. I'd read that somewhere else as well. Just wasn't sure what was considered the breeding season. That being said he did eat a nice hopper on Friday so I know he will eat, when he is ready to.

Mine will usually start slowing down feeding in October, and by December or January, will stop feeding all together, though I still offer meals every 7-10 days, just in case they will take...

CameraSkunk · 01-07-18, 07:27 PM

I'll follow the same regimen. I'd rather offer and it not be taken then not offer assuming he wont take.