Leonidas Rosy Boa Progression Thread

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Originally Posted by NewmanLovesSnakes

I’m thinking I have the overly shy snake. I’m going to feed him the way you suggested and just leave it if he does not take it. I only thaw them using cold water then warm water and I check temps with my heat gun. I don’t feed the mouse if it’s over 100 degrees. He’s going to get another try with the F/T tomorrow. I’m just worried he will starve to death. He’s eaten twice before I got him and he’s not had a meal in about 4 weeks. I’m going to get the live fuzzie Monday as my last resort. Should I be this worried about him not eating or should I chill?

I’m also not going to add or touch anything else but I could tell he needed a smaller hide so that’s why I swapped. I am still learning because this is my first time with this species but I don’t believe I’m doing too bad. I have learned that I really want to avoid getting another baby snake if I have another option lol the yearling last time was a way more pleasant experience.


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I agree, your rosy is the shy type. (you'd know if he was a biter, LOL) Try later with tongs, but don't keep at it if it doesn't work...leave it & hope for the best...it might disappear by morning?

Your first plan for a yearling rosy was a much better choice...had you asked me first, I'd have suggested you wait until this one had eaten a few more times for the breeder, because 2 meals is better than nothing but not by a whole lot. Young rosies can be frustrating, especially without a source of live pinkies- and I know you thought you had it "covered". He's your snake now so all you can do now is think positive & keep trying...just like stubborn BPs, he should eventually decide to eat for you. I've raised LOTS of neonates & hatchlings over the years, of many kinds...some can really frustrate us but we also learn thru the process...you will too. ;) Keep your motions subtle (when offering pinkie from tongs)...good luck! If he starts to take it, freeze in place until he has it down...motion by you can make him drop it & then refuse. No kidding...

I really appreciate all your advise, I know I’ve said that a lot lol your reassurance is nice. I don’t feel as stressed now as I was a little while ago. I just don’t want little man to starve or nothing but I’ll do whatever it takes to get him good live or frozen.


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Hey, how's it going?

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Originally Posted by NewmanLovesSnakes

I really appreciate all your advise, I know I’ve said that a lot lol your reassurance is nice. I don’t feel as stressed now as I was a little while ago. I just don’t want little man to starve or nothing but I’ll do whatever it takes to get him good live or frozen.


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There is a guide listed on VMSHerp that talks about how to get babies eating. He has been breeding rosies, corns, etc for years. That guide is very detailed with step by step instructions. Sean at VMSHerp came highly recommended and my last baby snake came from him, so I have no complaints about how he does things because it worked. I would read that if your boa is still refusing meals to give you some ideas to try.

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Originally Posted by Cheesenugget

There is a guide listed on VMSHerp that talks about how to get babies eating. He has been breeding rosies, corns, etc for years. That guide is very detailed with step by step instructions. Sean at VMSHerp came highly recommended and my last baby snake came from him, so I have no complaints about how he does things because it worked. I would read that if your boa is still refusing meals to give you some ideas to try.

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Here's the link, incidentally:
https://www.vmsherp.com/LCNotEating.htm

I've fed lots of colubrid & rosy boa hatchlings myself for years, & I personally have never found "braining" to be of help, & besides, it's gross.
As I've said many times, it's easier (& a little less gross) to just pinch-damage the nose of the feeder with a firm squeeze of the feeding tongs-
this releases more scent in a similar way, & helps to steer the snake to swallow the head first (without too much damage that can make it harder).

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Originally Posted by Cheesenugget

There is a guide listed on VMSHerp that talks about how to get babies eating. He has been breeding rosies, corns, etc for years. That guide is very detailed with step by step instructions. Sean at VMSHerp came highly recommended and my last baby snake came from him, so I have no complaints about how he does things because it worked. I would read that if your boa is still refusing meals to give you some ideas to try.

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I’m going to give that guide a look over. Step by step is exactly what I need.


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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Here's the link, incidentally:
https://www.vmsherp.com/LCNotEating.htm

I've fed lots of colubrid & rosy boa hatchlings myself for years, & I personally have never found "braining" to be of help, & besides, it's gross.
As I've said many times, it's easier (& a little less gross) to just pinch-damage the nose of the feeder with a firm squeeze of the feeding tongs-
this releases more scent in a similar way, & helps to steer the snake to swallow the head first (without too much damage that can make it harder).

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Thanks for posting that link, I’m going to look it over. I’m going to feed him again Monday, the pet store in the opposite direction has smaller mice.


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Hey Newman...how's it going with your rosy? Did you get him to eat yet?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Hey Newman...how's it going with your rosy? Did you get him to eat yet?

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He’s doing ok, adjusting to his enclosure well. He has not eaten for me yet, I’m going to try and feed him a frozen thawed and cover up his enclosure with a towel to help him feel secure as suggested. I found a breeder that breeds rats, I’m waiting on her to have a litter of pinkies born so I can find one to feed him if he still won’t take a F/T. The breeder is only 45 minutes away which is nice.


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Originally Posted by NewmanLovesSnakes

He’s doing ok, adjusting to his enclosure well. He has not eaten for me yet, I’m going to try and feed him a frozen thawed and cover up his enclosure with a towel to help him feel secure as suggested. I found a breeder that breeds rats, I’m waiting on her to have a litter of pinkies born so I can find one to feed him if he still won’t take a F/T. The breeder is only 45 minutes away which is nice. Still a little stressed but I’ve had reassurance from a lot of people and things are looking up so it will be better. I had a lady who told me she could get me live pinky mice and she lived an hour away but when I went to call her back she never answered my phone call or texted me back and that was very very frustrating, it really ruined my entire day. But things are looking up.


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Originally Posted by NewmanLovesSnakes

He’s doing ok, adjusting to his enclosure well. He has not eaten for me yet, I’m going to try and feed him a frozen thawed and cover up his enclosure with a towel to help him feel secure as suggested. I found a breeder that breeds rats, I’m waiting on her to have a litter of pinkies born so I can find one to feed him if he still won’t take a F/T. The breeder is only 45 minutes away which is nice.


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Hmm...rat pinks are pretty big compared to mouse pinks, you know? And they smell & presumably taste quite different too. Not sure that will work...:confusd:

How long has it been since he fed last (for the breeder)?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Hmm...rat pinks are pretty big compared to mouse pinks, you know? And they smell & presumably taste quite different too. Not sure that will work...:confusd:

How long has it been since he fed last (for the breeder)?

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Apparently there’s quite a bit of breeders that have successfully used small rat pinkies. I know they are quite bigger, I’ve asked the breeder to keep an eye out for any small babies she has, this is really all I can do till I find pinky mice or make the switch to F/T. The snake has not eaten since around September 8th or so. His temps and everything has been fine and he’s drinking water, obviously no handling or unnecessary bothering has been done since I got him.


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Leo unfortunately passed away a few days ago. He started eating but had issues digesting and eating regularly. His death was very unexpected. I gave him a proper burial. I was away from the forum for a few months due to life and a broken phone but im glad to be back.

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So sorry to hear that

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Very sorry for your loss, may he rest in peace...:tears:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Very sorry for your loss, may he rest in peace...:tears:

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I appreciate it, it was a rough experience. He just did not do very good from the moment i brought him home.

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Originally Posted by NewmanLovesSnakes

I appreciate it, it was a rough experience. He just did not do very good from the moment i brought him home.

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Sorry for your loss. This worries us. We just purchased one last weekend. Hope we have better luck with Rosa.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Sorry for your loss. This worries us. We just purchased one last weekend. Hope we have better luck with Rosa.

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I hope you do too. I've raised about 50 rosy boas, back when my snakes were breeding. I think most ppl sell them too soon, before they're feeding strong & reliably.
You want a feeding record with these, better yet if taking f/t...finding reliable sources of live pinks can be a problem for many ppl too. Also, don't handle baby snakes
when you get them...let them be snakes first & grow up some before much interaction...they turn into excellent pets but be patient, they're little. ;)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I hope you do too. I've raised about 50 rosy boas, back when my snakes were breeding. I think most ppl sell them too soon, before they're feeding strong & reliably.
You want a feeding record with these, better yet if taking f/t...finding reliable sources of live pinks can be a problem for many ppl too. Also, don't handle baby snakes
when you get them...let them be snakes first & grow up some before much interaction...they turn into excellent pets but be patient, they're little. ;)

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We are leaving he alone till she eats 3 meals in our care. Today is feeding day but don't expect her to eat till next Wednesday unless she is just really hungry. She is eating live still.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Sorry for your loss. This worries us. We just purchased one last weekend. Hope we have better luck with Rosa.

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Yeah ill pray that you do too. I would hate for you to go through what I did cause it was an absolute nightmare the majority of the time i had him. I even started breeding my own mice and still constant issues from mine. The breeder i got him from only fed him twice before shipping him to me which like Boger said might of been too early also he never did F/T before shipping either. Keep us updated and let us know how yours does.

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FYI, before any rosy boas ever left my hands they had feeding records of not less than 10 times & were reliably taking f/t. I wanted them to thrive for their new
owners & as far as I know, they all did. (3 meals is marginal, IMO...)