Darby ate tonight, but....

Tonight is exactly 2 weeks since Darby ate a rat pup at his breeder. I fed him a weaned rat,couldn't see if it left too big of a bulge; he's still acclimating and won't come out from behind a bunch of fake plants I have in a corner of his T8.
I have a question, are Boas like Ball Pythons? Do I need to feed a few times before taking him out and handle him?
Thanks

Ricky

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Originally Posted by RickyNY

Tonight is exactly 2 weeks since Darby ate a rat pup at his breeder. I fed him a weaned rat,couldn't see if it left too big of a bulge; he's still acclimating and won't come out from behind a bunch of fake plants I have in a corner of his T8.
I have a question, are Boas like Ball Pythons? Do I need to feed a few times before taking him out and handle him?
Thanks

Ricky

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A few things.

Boa's usually are not as shy as BP's, and actually, they are often the opposite.

Having said that, acclimation for at least two feedings, at least until you begin handling sessions (as opposed to taking Darby out to clean and change water quick, etc), probably makes sense.

Since Boa's rarely refuse a meal if husbandry is correct, Darby may not show stress in that way, but that doesn't mean Darby doesn't need time to acclimate.

Finally, Boa's should generally eat small-medium meals and less often than you would feed a BP. They have slow metabolisms and if not grown slow, can have health issues.

I always wait 48 hours before handling my BCI after feeding. I generally do the same with all my snakes, but unless it's an emergency, really leave Behira (my BCI) alone for 2-3 days after eating.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RickyNY

Tonight is exactly 2 weeks since Darby ate a rat pup at his breeder. I fed him a weaned rat,couldn't see if it left too big of a bulge; he's still acclimating and won't come out from behind a bunch of fake plants I have in a corner of his T8.
I have a question, are Boas like Ball Pythons? Do I need to feed a few times before taking him out and handle him?
Thanks

Ricky

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Depends on the boa. Most are pretty curious once they feel safe. There is no hard and fast rule but i personally give my boas a couple weeks to settle in. All my boas were babies when i got them though so for me, that meant 2-3 feedings.

Really glad he ate for you Ricky


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If you're feeding every two weeks then give him three days after you feed to digest, especially if you've recently bumped him up to a larger feeder. Don't bother him except his daily check to verify that he has clean water and hasn't made a mess in his enclosure.

Once he gets hungry you'll see him start to come out and hunt - or at least he'll poke his nose out from under his hide.

Awesome! Thanks everyone :bow:

Good job Darby!!