How Long do you figure a BP could survive with no heat source?

[Peter Williams]

Like lets say someone abandoned a bp somewhere (God forbid ) And they had no heat lamp or UTH or anything, and the room fluctuated between 70 and 80 degrees. I'm assuming the cause of death for a bp in this situation would be an RI. Assuming that the bp had access to fresh water (I know that would be impossible in a situation like that, but just assume) how long would it take for the RI to take its course and kill the bp?

I apologize for the grim theme to this post, but I'm genuinely curious about a situation like this. And thankfully, I'm just making this scenario up, it hasn't happened to me or anyone I know or anything, I'm just curious.

[GirDance]

My Dad's best friend's got loose in his house once (a friend's kid took him out and didn't put him back right - not me!). He found him three and a half months later wrapped around his dog's middle (large dog, neither animal was harmed).

After a trip to the vet it was determined that he was still completely healthy and fine... So I'm guessing it would take quite a long while...

[xdeus]

I think there are too many factors involved to give an accurate estimate. The size of the Ball, the health of the snake before getting out, its genetics and immune system, the local germs, etc. all factor in. It might be okay for a couple of months or even a couple of years...

[West Coast Jungle]

I think there are too many factors involved to give an accurate estimate. The size of the Ball, the health of the snake before getting out, its genetics and immune system, the local germs, etc. all factor in. It might be okay for a couple of months or even a couple of years...

I agree, there are alot of factors, BP's actually do better with empty stomachs when under extreme conditions. Some BP's get RI's very easily and some are extremely resilient. Similar to people, some are just healthier and have a much stronger will to survive. Look at the poor miners that got trapped, how did one live when all others died. I had a friend who wanted to be a Navy SEALS and they had to endure frigid waters, most got hypothermia but the ones that didn't passed and became SEALS, we and they are all different.

[Kagez28]

i know he's not a bp but i rescued a BCI who was abandoned in a dorm room when school let out (late april) and he was found mid july. i took him to the vet and he's as healthy as can be. so 2.5 months with no food (i assume) and more then likely no fresh water, and he handled it.

[moespeaking]

I think if it was healthy to start and the humidity was atleast 40-45% I think that it should do fine. if it was only 70 every day it might be problematic but if it kept flucuating up to 80 or so it should be alright. I would never try this or suggest that anyone try this its just not worth the risk. My herp vet says he keeps his reptiles fairly cool compared to others. cool side 72 warm side 82-85 and he has never had any problems with ri or health issues.

[DragonBalls]

My Brazilian Rainbow Boa reappeared last night after being missing for 9 weeks. She lost 22% of her body weight (62 grams to 49 grams) but looks pretty good, her skin isn't saggy just a little dry.

[MarkS]

I've got two nice sized females that I got from a friend of mine who had kept them for many years with no supplemental heat. They only ate about 4 times a year for her but otherwise were in great shape. Now that I have them in a rack with a heat source they eat every week like clockwork.

[Blue Apple Herps]

If it was a healthy animal before going through an ordeal like this, probably a while. Especially since 70-80 isn't that much colder for them than their normal temps. Now something like down to the 40s or 50s, then I'd imagine a lot less time.

[Ladydragon]

My Brazilian Rainbow Boa reappeared last night after being missing for 9 weeks. She lost 22% of her body weight (62 grams to 49 grams) but looks pretty good, her skin isn't saggy just a little dry.

congrats on finding your snake after having been missing for so long. As for the BP scenario, I would agree that many factors are involved, so there is no clear cut answer. But it does make me think that these animals can be very resiliant (spelling?) and if in top condition before they get "lost" or "abandoned" have an advantage of surviving a hardship period.