Don't know boas, can they eat eggs?

http://easttexas.craigslist.org/for/4099671104.html

I saw this and I'm kinda concerned.. Are they able to survive on chicken eggs?? That doesn't sound right to me.. :/

I wish I could rescue the guy but there's no way I could take him, myself.

gonna go with a no. wouldcallanimalcontrol/10

So sad, hopefully somebody will rescue this poor animal.:(

Would animal control be able to take care of this snake? I've never dealt with this stuff before, I'm worried they wouldn't have the resources or knowledge..

I googled the animal control in Tyler, I'll call tomorrow. I'm just not sure how much I or they will be able to help, and if it wouldn't be better to just hope the guy sells it to someone better. Ugh.. What would you guys do?? :(

I would think there is very little nutritional value in eggs... there's shells, yoke, and whites. No bones, no innerds, etc.
My guess is the snake is so hungry it's eating the eggs.
I would ALSO guess, based on the photos, it's living conditions are appalling. Please do call animal control!!

Good for you for being concerned!

Hey, Tyler TX...Where my Ex-fiance went to college.

Sorry, that was off topic. Eggs actually are very high in nutritional value. I doubt well-suited for a Boa's makeup, though.

Yeah, I know some snakes eat eggs but it didn't sound right for this species.. And I can't tell how long that tank is but it looks awfully small for him.


Crap.. I think constrictor snakes are prohibited in Tyler. That means they'd kill it, right??

http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.d...legal:tyler_tx

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http://www.amlegal.com/alp_templates...i-bookmark.gifSec. 14-14. Dangerous wild animals prohibited.
a. Definitions.
Dangerous wild animal or reptile means one not normally considered domesticated, that is wild by nature, which, because of habit, mode of life, or natural instinct, is incapable of being completely domesticated, and requires the exercise of art, force or skill to keep it in subjection; and is dangerous by nature, capable of inflicting serious injury, death or disease to humans, and is more likely to do so than a domestic animal.
Dangerous wild animals or reptiles shall include but not be limited to the following:

1. Alligators	10. Jaguars	17. Panthers
2. Bats	11. Leopards	18. Raccoons
3. Bears	12. Lions	19. Skunks
4. Bobcats	13. Lynx	20. Tigers
5. Cheetahs	14. Monkeys and other nonhuman primates	21. Venomous snakes
6. Constrictor snakes	22. Wildcats
7. Coyotes	23. Wolves; Wolf-hybrids
8. Crocodiles	15. Mountain lions
9. Foxes	16. Ocelots

Domesticated animal means one that is tame by nature, or from time immemorial has been accustomed to the association of human beings, or by human industry has been subjected to human will, and has no disposition to escape human dominion. It is one that is normally born and raised in captivity.
Zoo, zoological park or animal park means an institution which owns and maintains captive wild animals and under the direction of a professional staff, provides its collection with appropriate care and exhibits them in an aesthetic manner to the public on a regularly scheduled basis for the purposes of education, conservation, scientific study and recreation, and which is accredited by the American Zoological Association.
Research institution means a permanent state-accredited or licensed academic institution which owns or maintains captive wild animals under the direction of a professional staff and provides its collection of animals with appropriate care for the purpose of education, research, or scientific study.
Qualified researcher means an individual conducting research projects, scientific, or academic investigation with respect to a wild animal owned or maintained on the premises of a bona fide research institution as defined hereinabove.
Animal exhibition means a circus, carnival, or event owning or maintaining animals for purposes of displaying or performing in exhibitions of temporary duration where attendance of the general public is solicited, operating under a contract, lease, special event permit, or otherwise approved by the City.
b. Except as otherwise provided herein, the ownership, possession, keeping, harboring, or exhibition of any dangerous wild animal or reptile within the City limits or within five thousand (5,000) feet thereof is hereby declared a public nuisance and unlawful. The following are excepted from this prohibition if such owning, keeping, possessing, harboring or exhibiting does not occur in a residential structure or within three hundred (300) feet thereof:
1. Zoo, zoological park or animal park;
2. Research institution;
3. Qualified researcher;
4. Animal exhibition.
c. This section shall not apply to service animals defined in federal law, or to assistance animals defined in State law, that are trained or equipped to assist persons with disabilities. (Ord. No. O-96-13, 2-21-96) (Ord. No. 0-2004-78, 9/22/04)

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Guess it depends on what kind of chicken eggs its being fed. I imagine it would have to eat quite a few to get it's needs met.

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Originally Posted by Borgy76

Guess it depends on what kind of chicken eggs its being fed. I imagine it would have to eat quite a few to get it's needs met.

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Its very unusual for a Columbian to resort to eating eggs, I imagine that it was so starved for nutrition it would have eaten hotdogs if it came down to it.:(

Well, I'm going to contact a reptile rescue in the area tomorrow to see if they can take it, in which case I'll try to get the snake for them (it's 1.5 hrs away). That's assuming it hasn't been sold, since it was posted a week ago.

I'm reluctant to call AC at this point because I think they'll just euthanize it. Thanks everyone, for the advice. Seeing this kind of ignorance and callousness just makes me sick.

I doubt unfertilized commercial eggs are doing much for the snake in the long run.....

If you can't get anyone to take this snake in, I would call AC.
I personally would rather see it euthanized than suffering and possibly wasting away at the hands of this moron.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

I've texted and e-mailed him to see if the snake is still available. If it is, I'll do my best to get it from him and rehab it, then rehome it. (Be prepared to see a lot more of me here! Lol. I've learned a lot about snakes already but I guess it's time for a crash course in boas, specifically). If not, I'll see if I can contact the new owner somehow and make sure they're aware that they can't feed it chicken eggs.

Before calling AC about the snake I would first check to see if they can handle reptiles. Most can't deal with anything unless it's either cute and furry, or livestock.

Obviously boas can eat eggs, whether they should is a whole other discussion. At least the snake in the pics doesn't look starved; I've had two arrive that were much thinner, and unlike BP's boas aren't supposed to be round.

IMO the price is way too high for a normal male unless it comes with a decent enclosure and the tank he's in doesn't come close. Heck I've got two females offered for nothing and both were healthy. The owners just didn't realize how big they would get.

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Originally Posted by Surrealle

I've texted and e-mailed him to see if the snake is still available. If it is, I'll do my best to get it from him and rehab it, then rehome it. (Be prepared to see a lot more of me here! Lol. I've learned a lot about snakes already but I guess it's time for a crash course in boas, specifically). If not, I'll see if I can contact the new owner somehow and make sure they're aware that they can't feed it chicken eggs.

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PM Evenstar. She's our forum boa expert.
She'd be able to answer all your questions and help you out.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Yeah, I'm only calling AC as a last resort, because I originally was skeptical that they'd even be able to handle it, and I've since found out that constrictor snakes are illegal in that town so I'm almost positive they'd just euthanize it. I'm going to offer 50 bucks for just the snake, and go from there..

ETA: Just saw your post Nikki, I will keep that in mind. Thanks!

:rofl:

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Originally Posted by Surrealle

I've texted and e-mailed him to see if the snake is still available. If it is, I'll do my best to get it from him and rehab it, then rehome it. (Be prepared to see a lot more of me here! Lol. I've learned a lot about snakes already but I guess it's time for a crash course in boas, specifically). If not, I'll see if I can contact the new owner somehow and make sure they're aware that they can't feed it chicken eggs.

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Is there an update to this? Did the seller get back to you?

Not much of one, I'm afraid. The seller won't take less than 150, and not only can I not afford that, I don't want to pay that much to someone who would do this to an animal. He said he wanted to breed him but couldn't afford a female, so I have no idea if he has other animals or will get another snake in the future.

Animal control was less than useless. They won't rescue snakes, for starters, and also will not travel out to where this guy lives (in the country). If that's not enough, they also have no authority to go into his house if he refuses to allow them in. They said the only ones that might be able to help is the spca, who didn't answer when I called earlier today.

I don't know what else to do. He stopped responding to my texts when I kept trying to negotiate a price, and I can't imagine he'd pay any attention to me if I tried to tell him he's feeding it the wrong food. I'm so frustrated that I can do nothing to help this animal, or educate the moron. Ugh :mad:

I emailed and said since he said he got him free that I would pay shipping to me and nothing more ;)

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I hope you have better luck than I did, or if not, that whoever he does sell it to isn't as stupid about it. This has been bugging me for days.

This makes me sad.

First off, everyone is correct that eggs are not an adequate food source for a BCI. They will occasionally take eggs in the wild - they are pretty opportunistic feeders. But eggs are generally a last resort.

Please keep us updated if you, or anyone else, is able to get this snake. I hope he finds a good home. And actually, 150 is not really all that bad for a normal male of that size (and really his body condition isn't all that bad either). It's a bit high, but not extremely so. Sometimes, sacrifices need to be made to help an animal - as long as it's within your means. But we do have to remember, as frustrating as it is, that we can't help them all. :(

Surrealle, if you do happen to get this guy, I'll help you in any way I can with information. You'll love having a boa!! :gj:

Thank you.. I wish I could get it but I had to empty my bank account just to get enough to make an offer, which he rejected. I think I probably pissed him off on the process, not that I care. I hope someone here will have better luck but I don't know if anyone is trying. At this point, my only chance of getting it is if the owner has a change of heart in a few weeks and doesn't get a better offer.

I suspect it has a good body condition from its previous owner, though I really have no idea how long it's been forced to eat eggs if it's been "kept in the family".

*sigh* Fingers crossed that things get better for the snake soon. As much as I'd love having a boa, I wouldn't have been able to keep such a large snake permanently. (I'm in the military). My goal was just to rehab him and find a good forever home for him, even if that meant giving him away for free.

Update:

Well, I heard back from him (he was having phone issues, apparently). I negotiated him down in price enough for it to work for me, so if he still has the snake by Tuesday (when I get paid), I'll go get it!

I'll probably end up selling him for 50 or 75ish once he's rehabbed and eating well, which is less than I'm paying but hopefully a reasonable price. I'm more concerned with finding a proper home for him, but if I can get a least a little money back it would be helpful.

Fingers crossed that this pans out!

I sure hope this works out for you and that snake!! Please keep us posted!

Me too.. I have a 36x16x18 inch tank that I originally bought for my bp to grow into, that I know is not ideal for this guy but hopefully will work for a few weeks at least. I'll be able to get an under tank heater fairly easily, and I have a thermostat I can use for him as well. Is there anything else I would need for the tank to start? Do they like to soak, or will a small water dish suffice? I'm assuming I'd feed him rats, and start him slow/small at first.. (With any luck it will take f/t, but if I have to I'll start with live.. *shudder* lol). Should I start trying to feed him the day after I get him? And how often after that, to get him going? From the sounds of things--I haven't asked directly--but it sounds like the chicken egg thing has been a recent development due to hard times, so I'd like to think the snake hasn't been on them for longer than a few months.

My bf was able to find a reptile vet that might do a checkup for free or reduced price, which would be awesome. I'm excited, and nervous. It's going to be hard not getting attached, I would love to keep him forever but I don't know if that's realistic =/. If I get deployed, getting a long-term petsitter for a little ball python will be difficult enough, I have no idea if it's possible for a 6 foot snake. Oh well.. One step at a time, eh? Lol

Anyways, thanks in advance for any advice, although I'm just looking for the basics at the moment. I don't want to trouble anyone for paragraphs of info or tips until I actually have the snake. Anything could still happen right now.

Yes, lol, one step at a time. :gj:

The caging will be fine for now. Sounds like you have a good plan in mind. If it's kept clean, that'll make all the difference to him at this point. I would find a way to cover the screen top most of the way to help hold in heat and humidity - especially humidity. He may come to you dehydrated.

Boas will soak, but it isn't strictly necessary. I'd give him a large bowl, but one that doesn't take up all the space in that tank. Ceramic is best - boas like to spill their water....

I would personally pick up a bottle of Reptile Spray from Rich at Reptile Basics. This is excellent against mites and is much safer than PAM. When you get him, spray him down lightly as a preventative. Keep him on newspaper or corrugated cardboard for his entire q/t period at least.

Provide a large hide box. He may not use it, but if he does, he'll feel more secure.

Find out when he last ate (egg or otherwise). Wait at least one week from his last feeding. If he ate an egg, I would actually wait a little longer and see if he defecates for you before you feed again. Give him a chance to clear out some of that shell. If he ate more than a week prior to you getting him, wait 3-4 days until you try. Let him settle in a little and get used to his new home. They aren't as touchy as ball pythons in this department, but considering his background, he may need some TLC.

DO feed him slightly smaller prey. Start easy. If he will eat an inanimate egg, he ought to go for f/t so I'd give that a shot first. It's hard to tell just how big he is, but a rat is going to be easier to digest than an egg, so I'd start with a rat that is about or slightly smaller than an egg. ;)

I know we still need to see if you actually get him, but I thought I'd answer a few of your questions now so you could be more prepared before you bring him home. Good luck!!

Thank you very much! There's a chance I'll get him tomorrow (bf surprised me by wanting to get him early), so your advice came just in time! I already have a stash of f/t rat pups that I could use right away, maybe giving two at the first feeding because they're small. (Obviously, I won't try to trick or force him into taking two, I'll offer them separately and see if he wants both. Like you, I'm thinking/hoping he'll have no problem with f/t rats if he's desperate enough for eggs.) I hadn't considered that he'd be digesting the shell, I guess I had the impression that he'd cough it up like regular egg-eating snakes do. Sounds like that would be wicked uncomfortable coming out at the other end, eesh.

One more question.. Do they bask at all or will the UTH be sufficient? I'm in LA so humidity is usually 50-70% naturally, which helps.

Will post pics when I get him!

Edit: Oh, and for what it's worth, I was a bit of a clean freak before I joined the mil, and basic definitely intensified that.. Keeping him clean, at least, will be no problem. Lol ;)

I would only feed him one rat for his first feeding even if it is small and even if he wants it. Go slow. If he does well, you can feed him another in 10 days. It will not hurt him to go slow. Since he may not be used to rats, you don't want him to regurge - that will do more harm.

Keep in mind that boas are NOT ball pythons. They have a much slower metabolism and do better on the "less is more" feeding philosophy.

If the UTH will maintain your temps properly on it's own, then that is all you'll need. Boas do well with belly heat.

Okay, sounds good. I thought since the rat pups are so small that he would do better with two.

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

Boas will soak, but it isn't strictly necessary. I'd give him a large bowl, but one that doesn't take up all the space in that tank. Ceramic is best - boas like to spill their water....

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This! Though I found the best way to stop spills was to use a shallow plastic tub with a large footprint, and fill it up only 1/3-1/2 of the way. It allows them to soak if they want and even my 7' BCI girl hasn't dumped hers, and she's notorious for redecorating...