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Feeding concern
I have a 6 foot boa that lately has become so aggressive at feeding time. He is just so wild when I try to feed him. I mean like striking the glass as I approached with the rat on tongs. It's like he goes freakin nuts.
Is this normal?? Should I maybe feed more often. I currently feed one rat every 10-12 days.
L. West
1.0 CORAL ALBINO BOA (OWEN)
1.0 PANAMANIAN HYPO BOA (SAWYER)
1.0 DUMERIL'S BOA (GRAYSON)
1.0 ALBINO HONDURAN (RIVER)
0.1 TANGERINE HONDURAN (FAITH)
1.0 ALBINO TESSERA CORN SNAKE (RILEY)
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You should post a photo of him, my guess is that he is underfed. I would feed every 5 days, maybe increase the size of the rodent until he gets up to a good weight and chills out, then cut back again. How old is he? If he is still young he may need more food too until he gets a bit of age on him.
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Re: Feeding concern
He is 2 years old. About 1800 grams I think. He currently eats approx. 65 gram rat every 10-12 days. I was warned not to over feed him. I guess I could start weekly feeding for him.
I will post a pic of him shortly.
L. West
1.0 CORAL ALBINO BOA (OWEN)
1.0 PANAMANIAN HYPO BOA (SAWYER)
1.0 DUMERIL'S BOA (GRAYSON)
1.0 ALBINO HONDURAN (RIVER)
0.1 TANGERINE HONDURAN (FAITH)
1.0 ALBINO TESSERA CORN SNAKE (RILEY)
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Re: Feeding concern
Boas can be highly responsive to food and quite a few of mine strike the cage front on feeding day (and one strikes anytime he sees a shadow which is super annoying). I wouldn't really worry about it. The only thing that can sometimes happen if they strike badly, they can catch a tooth on a lip, normally I'll (with help) open their mouth to fix it for them, however this doesn't happen very often thank goodness. I wish there was a magic trick to get them to knock it off.
Originally Posted by cchardwick
I would feed every 5 days
No, please do not do that. Boas should not eat that often.
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The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to AbsoluteApril For This Useful Post:
jmcrook (11-13-2017),L.West (11-13-2017)
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Banned
Re: Feeding concern
Originally Posted by L.West
He is 2 years old. About 1800 grams I think. He currently eats approx. 65 gram rat every 10-12 days. I was warned not to over feed him. I guess I could start weekly feeding for him.
I will post a pic of him shortly.
Underfeeding is also bad. Did anyone warn you of that? I would suggest that you continue feeding him every 10-12 days and increase the size of the rat. 65 grams rat is obviously small for a 6 foot 2 years old boa. At least the rat should be double that size, or even treble.
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For boas, use the girth rule. Feed a prey item no larger than the thickest part of the body.
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Re: Feeding concern
Before seeing actual pictures of the animal in question, I would say this is normal behavior....
Boas are EXTREMELY food responsive and it can trigger fast in an animal that has a better sense of smell or knows feeding time is approaching. I've never had one refuse a meal to put it lightly....and I've had hundreds of boas in my hands over the years.
At six feet long and two years old, I would be feeding a sizable rat every two weeks. I agree though, at six feet long, a 65 gram rat seems small for his size. A medium rat seems far more appropriate to me but I would need to see pictures of the animal. Considering my longer feeding schedule I will actually feed prey somewhat larger than the girth, but everyone does things differently. Of course, if you feed more often a smaller prey item it more appropriate.
Post a picture of your animal with a dollar bill next to his body so that we can judge how big his girth is.
Last edited by KevinK; 11-13-2017 at 03:51 PM.
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The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to KevinK For This Useful Post:
Dutti (11-13-2017),L.West (11-13-2017),PokeyTheNinja (12-26-2017)
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Re: Feeding concern
I'm trying to post a pic but photobucket is not cooperating- ugh
L. West
1.0 CORAL ALBINO BOA (OWEN)
1.0 PANAMANIAN HYPO BOA (SAWYER)
1.0 DUMERIL'S BOA (GRAYSON)
1.0 ALBINO HONDURAN (RIVER)
0.1 TANGERINE HONDURAN (FAITH)
1.0 ALBINO TESSERA CORN SNAKE (RILEY)
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Re: Feeding concern
Here is his pic
He is wrapped around my leg
Last edited by L.West; 11-13-2017 at 04:14 PM.
L. West
1.0 CORAL ALBINO BOA (OWEN)
1.0 PANAMANIAN HYPO BOA (SAWYER)
1.0 DUMERIL'S BOA (GRAYSON)
1.0 ALBINO HONDURAN (RIVER)
0.1 TANGERINE HONDURAN (FAITH)
1.0 ALBINO TESSERA CORN SNAKE (RILEY)
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