Need some help..

Hey guys,

So I overheard a guy at work talking about how his was moving at the end of this month, and he didn't know what to do with his snake. The guy he was talking to suggested that he just let him go. Unfortunately he agreed and said that he was going to let him loose in a creek by his house.... So I couldn't stand by and let this dude set a snake loose so I offered to take him.

I met him today and he gave me the snake, heating lamp, and fish tank full of NASTY wood chips...

I kinda expected it was going to be a ball, but it is certainly not. I'm thinking he is just a normal boa but I'm not 100%. So here is the dilemma, I own two balls and I know nothing about the boas. So I come to the professionals on .net. What are the differences between balls and boas, humidity? temperament? temps? hides? etc?

Pics:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...th_image1.jpeghttp://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...th_image2.jpeghttp://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_image-2.jpeg
*sorry for the crappy phone pics*


PS.... boas hiss, wasn't expecting that

tl;dr: I have a new boa, how do they differ from balls?

Thanks very much for taking it in, it looks like a normal BCI to me. How long is it?

There's a caresheet with good info at http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...tor-imperator) to get you started.

For the record, I got my first Boa this year. Aside for the 2 days after he eats he gets handled every day. He is such an inquisitive snake and so well mannered. Boas are great!!! :gj:

I'll measure/weigh him in a few days. I don't want to stress him out too bad today. The guy said he was "about a yearish" old... for what it is worth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Thanks very much for taking it in, it looks like a normal BCI to me. How long is it?

There's a caresheet with good info at http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...tor-imperator) to get you started.

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First off, that does appear to be a normal common boa. I am thinking it may be a Central American though rather than a Colombian. It has more of a CA look to it. But that's not really all that important - their care is the same. It is actually a pretty darn nice looking snake and doesn't appear to be too thin or in too much distress. Considering its probable neglect, you're lucky. And I'd also like to thank you for taking it in.

Do take a look at that care sheet - that'll answer a lot of your questions.

Boas and balls have very similar care requirements as far as temps and humidity. But it is important to remember that boas are NOT balls, especially when it comes to feeding. Boas have much slower metabolisms. It is virtually impossible to underfeed a boa. Give this snake one prey item per feeding that is no bigger around than the snake is. It should not leave a lump in the belly like you would see in your balls. And I would stick to a 10 day schedule with an animal this size. Boas are always hungry and will trick you into thinking they are starving - don't be fooled, lol. Go slow and opt for smaller prey and you'll do fine with feeding.

Boas are also much more curious and active than balls. They tend to be more "in your face." Don't get intimidated. They just like to look you in the eye. Boas have amazing personalities and they are addictive. Now that you have one, I'll warn you, bet you can't have just that one!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

Boas have much slower metabolisms. It is virtually impossible to underfeed a boa. Give this snake one prey item per feeding that is no bigger around than the snake is. It should not leave a lump in the belly like you would see in your balls. And I would stick to a 10 day schedule with an animal this size. Boas are always hungry and will trick you into thinking they are starving - don't be fooled, lol. Go slow and opt for smaller prey and you'll do fine with feeding.

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Oh so true! Mine all beg more than my dogs, even 2-3 days after feeding.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Thanks very much for taking it in, it looks like a normal BCI to me. How long is it?

There's a caresheet with good info at http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...tor-imperator) to get you started.

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Thanks for the link, that was very helpful!

Quote:

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I'll warn you, bet you can't have just that one!!

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Thats what I'm worried about!!



an update on him:

I handled him today. He was pretty curious once out of his cage. I got a rough measurement of 40 inches on him +/- 3 of so.... My 0.1 said I wasn't allowed to use our food scale in the kitchen to weigh him, so that will have to wait until she is out of the house:neener:


I've noticed that he has some stuck shed on his lower half, It looks like more than just one bad shed. I'm debating whether I should bump his humidity up, it's been ranging from 55ish to 62ish. any suggestions?

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a..._image3-1.jpeg

Also on his back third..... forgive me because I dont know how to explain it.... but it looks like a hot dog would if it were on the grill... it looks like his stuck shed is constricting his body.... I attached a picture for clarity.... again, any thoughts?


http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...th_image4.jpeg http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...th_image5.jpeg


Thanks for all of those that have replied!!!

For the stuck shed I would suggest a soak as for the hot dog appearance that is probably just a healthy poop which of they are anything like balls the soaking might help as well

Seny from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk

Congrats on the new pickup! Thanks for taking the little guy in. He's a good looking boa. Maybe it's just me, but the "hotdog" part kind of looks like a healing burn. But that may just be my phone.

Ok, for a stuck shed, you can soak him in tepid water for about 20 minutes. A few pieces here and there will not harm your snake though and they will come off with the next shed. I would bump his humidity a small bit to help make sure his next shed is a good one. 65-70% would be appropriate.

However, that area along his tail is troublesome. That is NOT a pending poo. That is most likely a healing burn. The idiot who owned him before probably had him on an uncontrolled hotspot, poor thing. The good news is that it does appear to be well into being healed so it shouldn't cause him any issues. It could also be healing rat bites, but since it is all along the ventral side (underside) and not on top, I'm thinking it's more apt to be a burn. Just keep his enclosure VERY clean and it should be alright.

That injury is likely why there's stuck shed there. He may have some slight issues shedding that area until it's completely healed. And he will probably always have the scars. :(

sorry, the pictures didn't come up very well on my phone, now that I am on my computer I have to agree that looks like a burn.