Rescue Columbian RTB

I will post photos soon. A friend at work brought me this tiny baby RTB today. She said her daughter purchased him from a pet store on a whim for her son. Her grandson is 13. They have had him for 3 months and was told he had only eaten once during this time. He is a little guy. Might be 5 months old. Will weigh him tonight. Less than 100 grams is my guess. They did not have proper heat or humidity for him. The pet store that sold him to them did a poor job educating them on proper care. She asked me if I can get him healthy and work with them on husbandry after he is eating well and ready for them to take him back. He is skinny for sure. I have a proper setup sitting at him ready to go already warm and clean. I know basic care for RTB and had Lucy doing well before she passed away. With him being under fed I want to make sure I get him back eating but not to large of meal or many meals. I am sure after 24 hours in his new home this little guy will eat a small mouse quickly and be looking for more.


Should he be on a 4-5 day feeding schedule for now? or is 7 days ok?


He has a great personality.

Photos. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...046615349b.jpg

Nice little boa there,
If he’s not been eating properly I wouldn’t over feed him too fast,i would personally stick to weekly
Good luck with his progression


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

7 days is what I would keep it at. Getting him the right temp/humidity will be a world of a difference in itself. He's bound to grow quickly once he''s cared for properly, so no need to press it at 5 days.

Handsome little guy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Nice little boa there,
If he’s not been eating properly I wouldn’t over feed him too fast,i would personally stick to weekly
Good luck with his progression


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

---

Thank you and yes that was my thoughts as well. I plan on keeping him about 6 months then return him with a complete setup and care instructions. I know RTBs have a slow metabolism. They have offered to pay for his food during this time and pay for what he needs for husbandry. All I really have to do is get him healthy and educate them. Both of which I am happy to do.

He doesn't look all that skinny to me, but maybe it's the pic. RTBs are supposed to be more squared shaped with only their tails a little rounded. A round boa is an obese boa- and boas will eat themselves to an early grave if you let them.

I would recommend what everyone else has - work on the temps and basic care, and let the food take care of itself.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

He doesn't look all that skinny to me, but maybe it's the pic. RTBs are supposed to be more squared shaped with only their tails a little rounded. A round boa is an obese boa- and boas will eat themselves to an early grave if you let them.

I would recommend what everyone else has - work on the temps and basic care, and let the food take care of itself.

---

His ribs are showing. Photo is not a good presentation of his condition. Thank you.

Careful, that's EXACTLY how I ended up with Cosmo.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy he's now part of the family, I love that little guy. I wasn't planning on adding another at that time, but I believe he came to me for a reason.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Careful, that's EXACTLY how I ended up with Cosmo.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy he's now part of the family, I love that little guy. I wasn't planning on adding another at that time, but I believe he came to me for a reason.

---

I know, Right. I hope he goes back home in a few months. They were asking for help and did not know what they were doing wrong.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skyrivers

I know, Right. I hope he goes back home in a few months. They were asking for help and did not know what they were doing wrong.

---

I hear ya. I told my coworker 6-7 meals and he's going back. No more than 3 months no matter what. Well, that didn't work out. 16 months later and he's still here (not that I would have given him back after a certain point anyway ;)).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I hear ya. I told my coworker 6-7 meals and he's going back. No more than 3 months no matter what. Well, that didn't work out. 16 months later and he's still here (not that I would have given him back after a certain point anyway ;)).

---

Would have taken him either way I think. My collection is complete for a long time. The last retic girl finished it off for me. Not shopping anymore.

Honestly, if someone gave me their boa and then said they be back after I do all the hard work at getting the boa where it needs to be at, I would let them know right then that they ain't gonna get the boa back for starters and second, if they need someone else's help in maintaining the boa then they really should not have the boa in the first place. Would be a shame to give him back after all your hard work and these people don't even know how to properly care for the boa.... Plus this boa is now going to get use to you being the one handling it!
Just a thought!!! :twocents:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jus1More

Honestly, if someone gave me their boa and then said they be back after I do all the hard work at getting the boa where it needs to be at, I would let them know right then that they ain't gonna get the boa back for starters and second, if they need someone else's help in maintaining the boa then they really should not have the boa in the first place. Would be a shame to give him back after all your hard work and these people don't even know how to properly care for the boa.... Plus this boa is now going to get use to you being the one handling it!
Just a thought!!! :twocents:

---

I don't mind helping getting them back on the right track. Is better than keeping in improper conditions and under stress that causes him not to eat.

After a few weeks of not eating he was fairly hungry. I had him in his enclosure at the house with proper temps and humidity for 2 days and offered him a small mouse Sunday which he slammed rather enthusiastically. He was instantly looking for more. One of the tree boas did not eat their fuzzy mouse so he got that one also. He spend the next 3-4 hours hunting more before curling up in his hide. I have him in a room alone and with the enclosure covered with a towel to black out light. This makes me question about what they tried and why it did not work. All I did was provide proper husbandry and food. Going to have a talk with them today about him. Will keep everyone posted on progress.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skyrivers

I don't mind helping getting them back on the right track. Is better than keeping in improper conditions and under stress that causes him not to eat.

After a few weeks of not eating he was fairly hungry. I had him in his enclosure at the house with proper temps and humidity for 2 days and offered him a small mouse Sunday which he slammed rather enthusiastically. He was instantly looking for more. One of the tree boas did not eat their fuzzy mouse so he got that one also. He spend the next 3-4 hours hunting more before curling up in his hide. I have him in a room alone and with the enclosure covered with a towel to black out light. This makes me question about what they tried and why it did not work. All I did was provide proper husbandry and food. Going to have a talk with them today about him. Will keep everyone posted on progress.

---

Best of luck to you and your foster baby, I just hope the people that bought him realize that he's going to be an 8ft snake that will live 20+ years and are willing to make that commitment, especially a 13 yo boy..

So far he has eaten every week for me. One small to medium adult mouse. I prekill them and put in with him twitching still. Makes me wonder what they are doing wrong. Saturday the owner is coming over for feeding day and education. Will see what they have to say. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1a3093778e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...342b846184.jpg

Sent from my N9560 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Saturday the owner is coming over for feeding day and education. Will see what they have to say.

---

I would suggest going to the owner's house and checking his setup as well.

Plan on sending him home in the complete setup he is in. They are willing to pay the cost.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

I would suggest going to the owner's house and checking his setup as well.

---

Sent from my N9560 using Tapatalk

Congrats!!:)

So Max owner is going to come visit for a feeding tomorrow. He has eaten weekly for me in my care and setup. I am going to show them my feeding methods and hope he eats as hearty as he has the past 2 weeks. That way he can go home and give them a shot at caring for him again. Wish him luck. I am also going to talk to them about feeding him less often as he grows but we have to train them to care for him now first.

That's great. Sounds like his owners were well-intentioned but ignorant, and they're willing to fix their husbandry mistakes. Hopefully they'll enjoy their boa for many years.

Good luck and well done for turning his health around

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

That's great. Sounds like his owners were well-intentioned but ignorant, and they're willing to fix their husbandry mistakes. Hopefully they'll enjoy their boa for many years.

---

We can hope.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Good luck and well done for turning his health around

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

---

I think he will be ok if they learn and grow with him.

Nice work!! Teach them the ropes and hopefully the animal thrives in their care. :gj:

The kid and his mom came to the house. They both were excited to see my collection and learn about their baby boa. I showed them how I pre-kill the adult mouse he eats weekly for now. The son did the killing and feeding. Mom was willing but she wants him to learn and said she will always supervise interactions till he is older. Gave them suggestions on when to move up in prey size and move to 10-14 day feedings. They purchased his setup and tried to pay me for teaching them. I said the best payment is providing a good, healthy, and long life for their animal. They both know they can call anytime with questions. Will update as I find out more over time.

That’s good news fingers crossed he carries on with his good health now they have had some decent onsite training


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skyrivers

The kid and his mom came to the house. They both were excited to see my collection and learn about their baby boa. I showed them how I pre-kill the adult mouse he eats weekly for now. The son did the killing and feeding. Mom was willing but she wants him to learn and said she will always supervise interactions till he is older. Gave them suggestions on when to move up in prey size and move to 10-14 day feedings. They purchased his setup and tried to pay me for teaching them. I said the best payment is providing a good, healthy, and long life for their animal. They both know they can call anytime with questions. Will update as I find out more over time.

---

Awesome!!! Nice work!! :gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skyrivers

The kid and his mom came to the house. They both were excited to see my collection and learn about their baby boa. I showed them how I pre-kill the adult mouse he eats weekly for now. The son did the killing and feeding. Mom was willing but she wants him to learn and said she will always supervise interactions till he is older. Gave them suggestions on when to move up in prey size and move to 10-14 day feedings. They purchased his setup and tried to pay me for teaching them. I said the best payment is providing a good, healthy, and long life for their animal. They both know they can call anytime with questions. Will update as I find out more over time.

---

You're awesome :D

I checked up on Max. He has not missed a meal after I taught them my feeding technique. Doing so good. I have requested photos I can share. Will update once I have a couple. The son is so happy that his squirmy friend is doing so well.

That's really good news skyrivers

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Great job, you have saved that boas life. You have probably given the hobby another life long reptile lover as well.