New boa acting weird. Possibly IBD?

[William Snakespeare]

Hi everyone!

Recently I got a new boa named Loki and he shed perfectly. What I did notice about him is that he moves weirdly like his head comes up and then sometimes turns upside down then comes up again normally. He isnt like my dumerils boa or ball pyhton that holds on tight and can move normally. Loki just has like a different way of moving but this doesnt happen all the time. When I just sit still, he wont move and just be calm. Any advice? I am a little worried considering that IBD can be fatal and highly constagious...

Thanks guys!

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[William Snakespeare]

This is him

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[CloudtheBoa]

If you could post a video of this behavior, that would be helpful.

Sometimes when a boa doesn't feel like they have a grip, they will wildly twist their body (including their heads) in an attempt to find a grip.

If you flip the snake upside down on a flat surface and not in your hands, can it right itself?

[SDA]

Young snake not used to being handled. If your snake acts normal inside their enclosure but acts distressed in your hand it might just be behavior over some rare viral disease. Isolate this snake from the others just to be sure.

[bcr229]

Hopefully if this is a new addition the boa is still in quarantine anyway.

I agree that this behavior is probably more due to insecurity than disease. When boas want to anchor themselves or use a solid object for leverage, they will "hook" their head around it and then grip tightly. Sometimes in the process they'll turn their heads upside down or sideways, and then straighten up once they feel like they're firmly anchored.

If the behavior is happening while the boa is in its enclosure then that would be cause for concern, though also note they will stretch up and look at things overhead that interest them. The shadows thrown by ceiling fans really mesmerize them.

[William Snakespeare]

Ok thanks guys, will post a video of him soon. He just shed and today is feeding day so will see what happens.

It does look like when he doesn't feel well supported, he twists his body fast and grips onto me with his neck or head

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[William Snakespeare]

Sorry guys for such a late reply! I had exams and stuff going on so I couldnt reply.

Anyway Loki does act weird inside his enclosure aswell. I have only seen him on his hot side for the period he has been with me. The first meal he had, he vomitted it out in the form of a hairball. The second he ate but pooed it very watery and light brown( sorry for such a vivid description) in his water bowl.

Heres a vid of him

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[William Snakespeare]

His movement inside the cage looked fine like how my other snakes look. Not quickly grabbing onto objects to hold on.

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[William Snakespeare]

I can't get a vid of him moving as the video attachment size is way too big for the tapatalk app.

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[richardhind1972]

Nice little boa you have there .
You can upload the video to YouTube and post the link into Tapatalk
I find it easier to do that

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