Juvenile hog island boa not eating.....help!!

[Bethstang]

I have a May 2011 male hog island boa that has not eaten since I've had him. I have been in contact with the breeder on this situation, but wanted to see what your opinions are on what I should do. I posted briefly about a week ago on this forum about how much a juvenile hog should weight, if you want to read it, but here is what's going on:

This is his setup: 30 gallon tank, aspen bedding, 2 hides, hot side temp 90 degrees, cool side 75-78 degrees, humidity 55% - 60%, 3 sides of the tank are covered with towels to prevent stress, tank is located in a unoccupied bedroom. I have not handled him expect to weigh him today. I know a tub would be better and that is what he was in at the breeders but I am afraid to move him now that he hasn't eaten and stress him more.

He was shipped and I received him 3/6/12, tried to feed a week after I got him, not interested, I have attempted to feed him every week since and he has not eaten. Last time he ate was at the breeders on 2/27/12. According the records he has eaten F/T mice for several months and per breeder has eaten well for him. I thaw mouse in a ziplock bag in warm water until I know its thawed and then put a blow dryer on it for 30 seconds and then offer mouse. I sent breeder pics to make sure he was not getting thin and he said he looks good and that he will eat when he's ready. Also, the boa has not, to my knowledge, left the hide (hide he stays in is on the hot side) He shed last week with no problems, shed was in one piece. When I remove the hide to check on him, he seems interested, has never hissed or tried to strike at me. Like I said earlier the breeder has been helpful and tells me not worry, but I can't help but to worry. I weighed him today and he was 240 grams. What do I do??? Should I be concerned? Does he need to see a veterinarian? Help!!!


Beth

[Rob]

Snakes go off feed for,long periods of time, if it's healthy and happy its not a problem. Just keep offering every week. There have been snakes that have gone off feed for a year.

[notmyfault]

Snakes go off feed for,long periods of time, if it's healthy and happy its not a problem. Just keep offering every week. There have been snakes that have gone off feed for a year.

Its true they can go off food for a while. I wouldn't worry too much and offer every week as usual. The only time I would be concerned is when you begin to notice a large weight loss. Since it hasn't been long since you picked your boa up, your boa could still be stressed out and not be comfortable enough in it's environment to feel safe to eat. Give it time, remember with pets especially reptiles, patience is a virtue.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[Daybreaker]

As I mentioned I'd still recommend putting him into a tub setup (my girl that I got from the same breeder is in a 28qt tub), I think he may be feeling a bit too vulnerable in the big 30 gallon. I wouldn't worry about him getting "re-stressed" by the move, but then again I'm a big fan of tubs and think he may very well take a turn for the better in one (I had a ball that I had in a 20 long and she would NOT eat for me until I put her in a tub.)

[TheWinWizard]

Agreed, that 30 is too big for him. Move him to something smaller.

[drezden]

I don't know how helpful this will be, but it worked for me to get my dumeril's to eat after a month and it's worth a try. Drop the f/t in the tank right before you go to bed, and completely cover the entire tank with a blanket and then check to see if he ate it in the morning.

Edit: I also did move him into a smaller tub from a glass aquarium 2 weeks before he finally ate, so being in a smaller enclosure could also have had an effect on him finally eating.

[Wh00h0069]

Try feeding live.

[Bethstang]

Okay, I will try moving him to a tub.

Thanks for all your help!!