Dumerils Boa Not Eating?

[mc2022]

I'm having a bit of a problem getting my dumerils boa to eat. We've had him about a month and offered food every week but he hasn't seemed interested in anything at all. We've tried f/t rats and even a small live mouse but he wouldn't even strike at it. He is probably about 4ish years old and about 5 ft long and he is maintaining a good weight but I'm concerned about him refusing food. I know stress from moving into a new enclosure might effect him but he is active and acts normal. If i dont get it figured out by tomorrow im going to make him an appt. At the vet but i hate to put him through that if its an easy fix
Anyone have any suggestions or tips for picky eaters?

[hooferinsane]

I am no expert but when I purchased my Boa it seemed like an eternity before he ate. Now he will eat every week, I assume it's because he has settled and is stress free. Have you tried leaving it in the viv overnight. This is the only way mine will feed, I leave the rat weaner under a hide, he doesn't seem to want to strike. For some reason, mine will only take grey weaners as well, refusing white

[mc2022]

Really? That makes me feel a little better. I'm going to have to try leaving it overnight for him and maybe a different colored rat lol. Thanks for your advice, I've been super worried about him seeing as our ball python eats weekly with no problem.

[Gio]

I wouldn't offer food weekly, or even in two weeks. You can wait a good long time as these animals don't feed on a schedule in the wild and go long stretches without anything.

If there is any stress from the move, weekly attempts at feeding are not going to help.

I would forego any vet appointment if the only issue is not eating.

Give it time and it WILL happen.

[Evenstar]

Gio is correct. Leave him alone. You've most likely been over-stressing him by offering every week. Wait 3-4 weeks and do NOTHING to him or with him except keep his enclosure clean and fresh water. Don't hold him, don't watch him, just leave him alone. Also, Dums will often be more responsive with larger prey. They aren't as sensitive to large prey sizes as other boas can be. Too small will usually be ignored. In 3-4 weeks, try a medium rat. Betcha he'll eat it. Betcha he'll strike for it too.

[mc2022]

Yeah that makes sense. As long as it's nothing to be TOO worried about i guess I'll just leave him alone for a bit and wait a couple weeks to try feeding him again. Thanks guys, I appreciate your input.

[bcr229]

What was his prior owner feeding him, and what was his feeding schedule?

Also, double-check the enclosure temperatures to make sure the warm, cool, ambient, etc. are all correct. If he's not warm enough he won't eat.

[Evenstar]

Yeah that makes sense. As long as it's nothing to be TOO worried about i guess I'll just leave him alone for a bit and wait a couple weeks to try feeding him again. Thanks guys, I appreciate your input.

It's not time to worry yet. If you do as I advised above, and he still doesn't eat, then it's time to head to the vet and have him checked for parasites and go from there. But until then, don't worry - he just needs time.

My own baby Dum took a month before she decided to eat for me. Now she's a hog and never misses a meal. But it does take a while in the beginning. Dums are known for that.

[mc2022]

We got him from a pet store and they said he was eating f/t rats but they occasionally fed him a gerbil or something but they also said he wasn't a big rate. Basically were trying to leave him entirely alone aside from keeping his cage clean and if he doesn't eat next time I'm gonna take him in just to be sure.

[mc2022]

Finally got him to eat last night! Thank you for the help everyone,your suggestions seem to have worked