Hog island feeding question

[BFT12890]

a few months ago I took in/rescued a hog island. this will be my first winter with him (hes roughly 5) since I have had him hes had an amazing feeding response, but the past two weeks he has refused food. do boas go off feed during the winter the way ball pythons do??

[hypnotixdmp]

They can, but what is the husbandry like?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[BFT12890]

They can, but what is the husbandry like?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Animal plastics T8 (4x2x1) with a RHP at 88/78 day and 83/75 night

2x hides and a big water bowl

He has eaten multiple times since being put in it.

[Evenstar]

How often are you feeding him and what size prey??

[Daybreaker]

Yes, my female Colombian has skipped a meal here and there (nothing health related) during the cooler months but she usually doesn't skip more than one meal a month/every 2 months. As long as your guy is healthy I wouldn't worry: I'd bet he'd eat within the next one or two feedings of you offering.

[BFT12890]

How often are you feeding him and what size prey??

Once a week and a large rat (200ish grams) He was givin a med every 10-14 days when I got him (clearly underfed) so I started him on a medium every week and as he has gotten bigger ive tried upping the prey size.

Yes, my female Colombian has skipped a meal here and there (nothing health related) during the cooler months but she usually doesn't skip more than one meal a month/every 2 months. As long as your guy is healthy I wouldn't worry: I'd bet he'd eat within the next one or two feedings of you offering.

thanks! I figured it was something like that.

[Evenstar]

I would absolutely go back to feeding every 10-14 days. Preferably every 14 if he's eating large rats. Feeding every week is too often for an adult boa. He's likely to be off feed because of that, at least in part. You don't need a boa to grow too fast or put weight on too fast. They have very slow metabolisms and feeding too frequently and growing too quickly will cause health problems down the road.

A medium rat once every 10-14 days is NOT underfeeding for a boa. They are not ball pythons.

http://www.deviantconstrictors.com/i...ing.html#First

[BFT12890]

I would absolutely go back to feeding every 10-14 days. Preferably every 14 if he's eating large rats. Feeding every week is too often for an adult boa. He's likely to be off feed because of that, at least in part. You don't need a boa to grow too fast or put weight on too fast. They have very slow metabolisms and feeding too frequently and growing too quickly will cause health problems down the road.

A medium rat once every 10-14 days is NOT underfeeding for a boa. They are not ball pythons.

http://www.deviantconstrictors.com/i...ing.html#First

When I first got him he had a lot of wrinkly skin at the neck and bends which is why I tried to add some overall size.

I don't mean to sound rude, but at 6 feet, 4000~ grams, a large rat (200~ grams) is sufficient every 14 days? that's .05% bodyweight every two weeks. Im no expert so im not trying to imply you are wrong I just want to make sure I understand completely.

Since we all love pics, heres one of him after he shed :]

[Evenstar]

When I first got him he had a lot of wrinkly skin at the neck and bends which is why I tried to add some overall size.

I don't mean to sound rude, but at 6 feet, 4000~ grams, a large rat (200~ grams) is sufficient every 14 days? that's .05% bodyweight every two weeks. Im no expert so im not trying to imply you are wrong I just want to make sure I understand completely.

Since we all love pics, heres one of him after he shed :]

I think we'd talked about this when you first rescued this boa, but I can't find the thread I had posted in before. But even a boa that is underweight should NOT be overfed in order to gain weight back faster. It is bad for them. A PROPER feeding schedule is the best route to improve a boa's condition. You have to go slow with boas or risk other complications down the road.

Yes. A single large rat for a 4000+ gram boa is PLENTY every 2 weeks. Boas really do have that slow of a metabolism. Here are some starting points for some further research on this subject:

I wish I could still direct you to Gus Rentfro's website for Rio Bravo Reptiles, but he is unfortunately on sabbatical so his site is shut down. But there are some other options. Call or email JB at Deviant Constrictors, Vin Russo of Cutting Edge Herps, Orlando or Joel Diaz of Legacy, and maybe Chris Gilbert of Gilbert Boas. These guys are some of the foremost authorities on boa constrictors in captivity in the country. Vin Russo wrote "The Complete Boa Constrictor" which is considered a bible to those of us in the hobby. It is still available through his website. These guys will ALL tell you the same thing I have.

The snake looks good from what I can see in the picture and you should be commended for that! In fact, he looks REALLY good! Slow down on feeding and you might help him keep that nice lean square shape boas ought to have.

[BFT12890]

I think we'd talked about this when you first rescued this boa, but I can't find the thread I had posted in before. But even a boa that is underweight should NOT be overfed in order to gain weight back faster. It is bad for them. A PROPER feeding schedule is the best route to improve a boa's condition. You have to go slow with boas or risk other complications down the road.

Yes. A single large rat for a 4000+ gram boa is PLENTY every 2 weeks. Boas really do have that slow of a metabolism. Here are some starting points for some further research on this subject:

I wish I could still direct you to Gus Rentfro's website for Rio Bravo Reptiles, but he is unfortunately on sabbatical so his site is shut down. But there are some other options. Call or email JB at Deviant Constrictors, Vin Russo of Cutting Edge Herps, Orlando or Joel Diaz of Legacy, and maybe Chris Gilbert of Gilbert Boas. These guys are some of the foremost authorities on boa constrictors in captivity in the country. Vin Russo wrote "The Complete Boa Constrictor" which is considered a bible to those of us in the hobby. It is still available through his website. These guys will ALL tell you the same thing I have.

The snake looks good from what I can see in the picture and you should be commended for that! In fact, he looks REALLY good! Slow down on feeding and you might help him keep that nice lean square shape boas ought to have.

Thanks for all your help, I appreciate it I really do. Guess I cant complain about the Bi-weekly feeding anyway since it will save me money ;] Thanks again! Ill post updates as I go along!