Need some help....

[L.West]

I recently brought home a new female RTB - she will be 2 years old in May. I have had her in her new enclosure for just shy of two weeks and she has not yet taken a meal yet - she has refused for the past two feedings.

I also have her brother - who is in an identical cage/setup and he is eating every week for me but I've had him about a month longer.

I just don't know what could be causing her to refuse food. Do you think she just hasn't had enough time to settle in yet - I just got her on April 3rd.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks.

[shescountry89]

I recently brought home a new female RTB - she will be 2 years old in May. I have had her in her new enclosure for just shy of two weeks and she has not yet taken a meal yet - she has refused for the past two feedings.

I also have her brother - who is in an identical cage/setup and he is eating every week for me but I've had him about a month longer.

I just don't know what could be causing her to refuse food. Do you think she just hasn't had enough time to settle in yet - I just got her on April 3rd.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks.

What kind of enclosure is it? A tank? Or a tub? What all is in there, sounds like she is unhappy with something and if that's the case she won't eat if there is something wrong with her cage.

[L.West]

Her cage is identical to the one her brother is in - it is an RBI cage with an RHP. I have logs and fake green plants in there to fill in any empty space, a large water bowl, two idential hides. Her temps are 91 hot side and 80 cool side with humidity at 60%.

Her brother (from the same clutch) is doing great in the exact same enclsoure - I just don't get it. The only thing I can think of is that she hasn't had enough time to get acclimated.

Your thoughts.

Thanks.

[shescountry89]

Hm, does she show any interest when you offer food? Are you feeding live or f/t? She should be pretty well settled in by now. As long as she isn't losing weight, it's nothing to worry about if she isn't eating for the time being. When she is hungry, she will let you know when you go to feed her the next time around.

You could try feeding her in a different tub if you wanted to, and completely covering it up to see if she will take it that way.

[L.West]

She was already accustomed to being fed f/t rats - so that is what I am offering. She poked her head out of the hide - took a whiff but didn't strike so I left it in her cage overnight - but she didn't eat.

I am used to Bp's not eating but was told that RTB's don't this.

[Vypyrz]

One of my boas won't strike if I just lay the f/t in the tub, but if I wiggle it with the tongs he will strike and eat.

[Oroborous]

If you got her on the third she might not be comfortable in her new home yet. For her first few meals try offering her fresh killed prey from tongs. I've never had a boa refuse food, so maybe she is just extra shy. I would also pre-scent the room she's in and feed at night. Good luck.

[L.West]

I do offer the prey from tongs to see if they will strike first. I found out last night that she was in blue so that is probably why she didn't eat - I lifted off her hide to see what was going on and her eyes were all blue.

Hopefully she will eat next Tuesday.

Thanks to everyone who submitted helpful suggestions.