Just got my first reptile ! Male Hog Island Boa. Need some advice.

Hello everyone, I just got my little guy this morning. He's a Hog Island Boa. I decided to get a Boa over a Ball Python for my first reptile, because Boas have better personalities in my opinion and better eating attitudes. I have a few questions I would hope you guys can answer.

1-Why does my boy keep trying to escape his enclosure ? It seems like he wants to get out so badly.
2-Why doesn't he use his hide and heat pad ? I don't know if Boas really use hides, like BP's do but I would assume since he's new he would want to be in his hide until he gets used to the environment.
3-How do I get the proper humidity levels ? I don't have substrate yet, I'm just using paper towel for now. I guess I should spray the tank down.
4-When should I feed the guy ? It looks like he ate recently, or I could just be seeing things. I was going to try feeding him next Sunday. Is that ok ?
5-In his tank so far it's ver barebones. I have a hide above his heating pad and a water dish. I will pick up some supplies after work tomorrow. I was going to get some ReptiBark for my substrate, another hide to place on the cool side (Don't know if this is truly necessary since he doesn't even use his main hide), and some branches or logs for him to climb. Anything else ya'll would recommend ?

And here's some pictures of him. His name is King.

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https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2FoRVJKmN.jpg

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Have you done any research or looked at caresheets for your snake?

I'm sure the Boa guys will chime in, but it seems in the meantime, you could probably do a search for all the answers you're looking for.


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Originally Posted by Mangiapane85

Have you done any research or looked at caresheets for your snake?

I'm sure the Boa guys will chime in, but it seems in the meantime, you could probably do a search for all the answers you're looking for.


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I have, but questions 1 and 2 I can't really find an answer for. Also the humidity thing is a bit more complicated than I thought.

My best advice for questions 1 and 2 is to give him some time. You just got him this morning, he's probably a little stressed. My snakes did the same thing. Eventually he is going to settle into his new home and he'll use his hides and heat pad.

3: I would definitely get some substrate and just try spraying it down until you reach the correct humidity.

4: Sounds like a good plan

5: Definitely get some type of substrate, another hide would probably be a good idea and then its up to you how much you want to decorate his cage.

He is a beautiful snake btw good luck!

First thing I'd do is check the temperature at the heat pad. And the floor inside the hide. They may be too hot.

Is the cage a converted aquarium? What sort of top does it have? Is there a thermometer, and where is it located in the tank?

Great looking boa, but what we need are pic of the enclosure. Also, is his heat pad on a thermostat? Unplug it if not. Ask the person who sold him to you when he last ate, then give his next meal according to age. Humidity is a beast, but impossible to advise without the details of your setup. Also, paper towels are fine for substrate if you have your humidity dialed in. Speaking of dials, wha are you using to measure heat and humidity?
The boa-folk here will get you on the right path, but you have to supply all relevant info.

Is your heat pad regulated by a thermostat? If not it will get hot enough to burn your snake, which may be why your boa isn't using it.

Yes I have thermostat connected to the heating pad. I have it set at 90 degrees. And I just have one of those zoo med analog thermometer/hydrometer. I'll invest in a digital one as well.

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Originally Posted by d0hv

Hello everyone, I just got my little guy this morning. He's a Hog Island Boa. I decided to get a Boa over a Ball Python for my first reptile, because Boas have better personalities in my opinion and better eating attitudes. I have a few questions I would hope you guys can answer.

1-Why does my boy keep trying to escape his enclosure ? It seems like he wants to get out so badly.
2-Why doesn't he use his hide and heat pad ? I don't know if Boas really use hides, like BP's do but I would assume since he's new he would want to be in his hide until he gets used to the environment.
3-How do I get the proper humidity levels ? I don't have substrate yet, I'm just using paper towel for now. I guess I should spray the tank down.
4-When should I feed the guy ? It looks like he ate recently, or I could just be seeing things. I was going to try feeding him next Sunday. Is that ok ?
5-In his tank so far it's ver barebones. I have a hide above his heating pad and a water dish. I will pick up some supplies after work tomorrow. I was going to get some ReptiBark for my substrate, another hide to place on the cool side (Don't know if this is truly necessary since he doesn't even use his main hide), and some branches or logs for him to climb. Anything else ya'll would recommend ?

And here's some pictures of him. His name is King.

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1. Are your temps and humidity good? 78-80F cool side ambient(air) temp, 90F hot spot and 60-70% humidity. Does he have small enough hides on the cool side and warm side? Throw is a couple paper towel tubes or a cereal box. Snakes LOVE cereal boxes for some reason lol.

2. Are the hides small enough for him to feel secure in and closed off enough? A hide with huge doors is not secure for them. Looks like you got a t-stat which is good. 90F is on the floor of the cage? You don't want to take temps from the top of the substrate. Also get digital equipment. Analog generally is off in accuracy.

3. Cover 3/4 or more of the top of the cage with tin foil or thick cardboard wrapped in tin foil or acrylic cut to fit with holes drilled for air. Then what I do for tanks is lay a folded up wet paper towel on top of the cool and warm hide. That should bump you up there. Also use a large water dish and place it close to the UTH.

4. Most of my snakes eat the first day. Depends if the snake looks comfortable. The general rule though is wait a week.

5. I keep pretty much all my cages pretty minimalistic as I like the ease of cleaning. I just give my snakes 2 hides, a large water bowl and in the AP cages, I have shelves for them to sit on and climb on. You can go as fancy as you want but remember, the more stuff you have in there, the more work it will be to keep it all clean and trying to find secret poops and pisses in a cluttered cage can be a treat. I would invest in the second hide for sure and probably something for him to climb on. Reptibark should be fine. I use aspen but after my 2 bails run out, I am going to switch to ReptiChips. I would also definitely invest in a IR temp gun and new thermometers. I personally use https://www.acurite.com/digital-humi...326-00327.html.

So they're basically identical to the husbandry needs of a BP? What have I been waiting for?? I'm buying a Boa! Lol


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Originally Posted by Mangiapane85

So they're basically identical to the husbandry needs of a BP? What have I been waiting for?? I'm buying a Boa! Lol


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Lol yeah pretty much it is. Retics are pretty much the same as well.

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Originally Posted by d0hv

Hello everyone, I just got my little guy this morning. He's a Hog Island Boa. I decided to get a Boa over a Ball Python for my first reptile, because Boas have better personalities in my opinion and better eating attitudes. I have a few questions I would hope you guys can answer.

1-Why does my boy keep trying to escape his enclosure ? It seems like he wants to get out so badly.
2-Why doesn't he use his hide and heat pad ? I don't know if Boas really use hides, like BP's do but I would assume since he's new he would want to be in his hide until he gets used to the environment.
3-How do I get the proper humidity levels ? I don't have substrate yet, I'm just using paper towel for now. I guess I should spray the tank down.
4-When should I feed the guy ? It looks like he ate recently, or I could just be seeing things. I was going to try feeding him next Sunday. Is that ok ?
5-In his tank so far it's ver barebones. I have a hide above his heating pad and a water dish. I will pick up some supplies after work tomorrow. I was going to get some ReptiBark for my substrate, another hide to place on the cool side (Don't know if this is truly necessary since he doesn't even use his main hide), and some branches or logs for him to climb. Anything else ya'll would recommend ?

And here's some pictures of him. His name is King.

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1) Totally normal snake behavior, if the snake is comfortable in its enclosure, maintains a good day/night cycles, and isn't overfed they will explore their enclosure. With boas, that's usually at sundown and throughout the night. They mostly sleep during the day, whether in or out of their hides.

2) Boas are one of those species where they may or may not use hides. Even my babies use hides may 50% of the time, and how often they use them fluctuates. A boa, even a baby, sleeping out in the open is not all that surprising. They should still have hides, I just wouldn't worry if they aren't using them.

3) Totally depends on your set up. Misting/spraying is more of a temporary patch to humidity and not a solution. You can quickly bump humidity by misting, but it will fall very quickly once you're done. While in quarantine, it's perfectly fine for the humidity to be a bit lower so long as then snake is shedding fine. After about 3 months if the snake is healthy you can go ahead and switch to a particulate bedding. A damp bedding is going to be the #1 way to raise humidity in a snake's enclosure, as the water evaporates out of the bedding it will provide 100% of your humidity. Another way is raising the humidity in the entire room with a humidifier, but if it's in your bedroom that may not be a good choice. Once we get more info we can tell you more.

4) New snakes don't need to be fed based off of the last time they ate, but when you got them. I would give new arrivals a minimum of 1-2 weeks from arrival without handling or food. Once they eat a meal or two, then you can begin handling 24-48 hours after they eat unless they're in shed.

Based off of several years of experience, I would not recommend ReptiBark whatsoever. My base home humidity was 50-60% when I used it, and it did jack for humidity. My ball python had chronic stuck shed, badly chipped and discolored scales, and the occasional splinter. When you first open the bag, it's just fine for humidity, but once it dries out good luck. I've tried pouring water into the bedding, soaking the chips in water for hours, and spraying and none of it ever helped.

If you get ReptiBark I'd mix it with 2 parts EcoEarth to maintain your humidity. I've found EcoEarth does not dry well when heated by a UTH/heat tape, and it will mold. The ReptiBark will allow the EcoEarth to dry out faster while the EcoEarth holds humidity for the ReptiBark. I would keep the boa at 70-80%, although they can shed at 60% they're a tad dehydrated at that level. I get bent scales where they bend while curled up, and indents under the eyes when the humidity falls that low, although they'll still shed a perfect whole piece.

Along the same vein as everyone else, the placement of your probe is also important for temperatures. You need to have the probe outside the enclosure in between the UTH and the bottom of the enclosure so that it's touching the pad directly. Then use an IR temp gun (NOT a thermometer) to measure the surface of the enclosure under the paper towels and set the thermostat accordingly. Do not measure the temperature on top of the paper towels, as it could be 85F on top of the paper but nearly 100F under it. When the snake sits on the paper towels over the pad, the heat will transfer much easier.

He's one good looking snake. That sounded creepy, but you know what I mean. SSSSSSSSSSSssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

ditto on the nice looking snake comment..


where did you get him? Thats one of the cleanest hog islands i seen.

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Originally Posted by FrankieCarbone

ditto on the nice looking snake comment..


where did you get him? Thats one of the cleanest hog islands i seen.

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I ordered him from Snakesatsunset.com, I think they have one female and one more male available. And yeah his colors are really nice and cleans, almost no speckling.