Hog Island Boa Mouth Open
I was cleaning my office at 12:30 am and I noticed that my adult Hog female (adult) is sitting on top of her hide with her mouth open. I opened up the cage to check temps and it is roughly around 86 degrees. I don't hear too good but I could hear her hissing. Is this normal?
I'm a little concerned (especially with the fact I'm leaving for two weeks in about 12 hours from now - my girlfriend will keep an eye on my Hog)... but I know that boas/pythons does strange things. I would appreciate your opinion.
Thanks.
Re: Hog Island Boa Mouth Open
Quote:
Originally Posted by
digizure
I was cleaning my office at 12:30 am and I noticed that my adult Hog female (adult) is sitting on top of her hide with her mouth open. I opened up the cage to check temps and it is roughly around 86 degrees. I don't hear too good but I could hear her hissing. Is this normal?
I'm a little concerned (especially with the fact I'm leaving for two weeks in about 12 hours from now - my girlfriend will keep an eye on my Hog)... but I know that boas/pythons does strange things. I would appreciate your opinion.
Thanks.
Is the ambient temps 86 degrees or is that a hot spot? How long has she been in the enclosure she's in?
Re: Hog Island Boa Mouth Open
Quote:
Originally Posted by
digizure
The hot spot is around 88 and the cool area is around 82.
You need to cool your temps down. The hotspot is fine, but if the ambient/cool side is 82, that is way too warm. Ambient temps for a boa should be around 76-78 and no warmer than 80. 2 degrees is a big difference to a snake. Get rid of that analog dial - they don't read temps properly. Use a digital thermometer and/or a temp gun.
That behavior is NOT normal. To my way of thinking, that appears to be neurological in nature. It very well could be a result of being unable to properly thermoregulate - he can't cool down enough when off the hotspot - and not necessarily an illness. I do not see signs of an RI, but I wouldn't rule that out.
Cool the ambient temps down and if the behavior doesn't stop within a day or two, I'd be taking him to the vet....