raw noses!

i've never keep a boa, but i have a question for you boa owners.........at almost every pet store i go to, they have red tail boas that have a sore or red noses.........it's almost like they are rubbing it raw..........do they all do this.......or is it because they don't get out much...............i know from hearing from people that have them, that they hate going back in the cage.

I've never had a boa rub it's nose ... In a traditional "pet store" set up the screen lid is the only thing I can think of that would take the skin off??? Do they appear stressed??? Is their enclosure too small? As for not going back into their homes.... I'm gonna say that might be true with some??? But not on the scale of all of them hurting themselves.... :confused:


Boas are GREAT to own.... and are a species that I will always love!

I have a decent cage for my male BCI (4'x2') and he will rub his nose every night. It's made out of PVC and the door is acrylic so he can't rub it raw, but he can develop a swollen bump on the side of his nose. However, I let him out every night to roam around the room and that seems to keep him happy. When I put him back in his cage he's good for another day.

Wow! Ok.... well I think it's safe to say that Lawrence is a good snake keeper... so that blew my theory out of the water! lol :P


So... *clears throat* I have no idea why some rub their noses..... :oops:

My Prince is a pretty big guy and I have had him for 8 1/2 years and he has never rubbed his nose unless he is shedding.

he is my only Boa though.

for now... :evileye:

Some of mine do, some don't. The nose rub look is usually from improper caging. Usually, screen lids and such will leave a heck of mark on them. With the right caging, this will most likely not happen. I have a big girl that still has a mark on her nose after 2 years with me!

i figured it was the screen caging.........all of the boas in the store had screen caging, but the enclosures were pretty spacious but i guess it could be stress or something else.........i was just wondering


thanks all!

I've heard it can be affected by the urge to find a mate. Not sure if this meens anything right now. I'm out of it from my nap