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  1. #1
    Registered User maskedburito's Avatar
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    Boa never comes out

    I have approx 1 year old Sonoran desert boa, he is super sweet and easy to handle but never ever shows himself. He is always in the same back corner of the enclosure coiled up except when I bring out food. Not sure if other people have more active snakes, be nice if he actually used his enclosure or displayed a bit. Anything I’m doing wrong?

    It’s a pvc tank about 3x2 feet. Ceramic heat emitter. It’s about 85 on warm side and 80 on cool side. There is a heat pad with a hot spot of 90. He only ever uses the hot side of the enclosure. Never ever see him where the heat pad is. Here is a picture. Any suggestions? Is this normal?

  2. #2
    BPnet Veteran Justin83's Avatar
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    My nic boas are active even at 6'...
    I would try covering the sides and back of the tank and dimming the light, maybe he will feel more secure pal.

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  4. #3
    BPnet Royalty Zincubus's Avatar
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    Re: Boa never comes out

    The setup looks absolutely amazing.. I'd consider that last suggestion and dim or turn the lights off ... my lights are permanently OFF and only go on for very short periods when I'm checking things over or when we have guests who want to see the snakes ..


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  6. #4
    BPnet Royalty Zincubus's Avatar
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    Re: Boa never comes out

    I'm kinda confused as to the temperatures though !?

    A ceramic lamp is normally enough to set a warm side and allow a decent temp gradient ..

    Is there a warm end and a cool/ cooler end ??

    Where are the heatmat and heat bulb situated ??


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  7. #5
    BPnet Veteran Justin83's Avatar
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    I didn't look properly on my tiny phone screen, I thought it was a glass tank so scrub the covering sides comment lol.

  8. #6
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    I can't offer much advice since I don't keep that species, but....is that tape I'm seeing in the pic? If so, is it INSIDE the enclosure? If so, please remove it asap. Tape and snakes do NOT mix. Something as simple as a little tape can cause horrific injuries and even be fatal for snakes.
    If that's not tape, or it's outside the enclosure, disregard my comment.

    Good luck getting things sorted out!

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  10. #7
    BPnet Lifer dakski's Avatar
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    Re: Boa never comes out

    Not an expert on Sonoran Desert Boa's, so I cannot comment on temps at all. I know 90F is too hot for a hot spot for a BCI, etc, but again, no clue for a desert boa.

    The one comment I will make is that he might not feel very safe. The tank looks awesome, but I don't see two identical hides; one hot side and one cool side. Not all Boas use their hides much, but they should have them offered. My BCI likes to hang half in and half out of them, but seems to find comfort knowing they are there.

    By giving two identical hides, he might feel safer and actually be out more as a result. Sounds counterintuitive but in Snake, I think it makes sense.

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  12. #8
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    I keep my tarahumara boas cooler. and they seem to like it, but they seem more secretive than my other boas.
    Too Many...

    That's what my wife says



  13. #9
    BPnet Lifer Sauzo's Avatar
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    Some boas are just shy.

    If it spends its whole time on the hot side, then the hot side, then its too cold and vis versa if it spends the whole time on the cool side. With that said, how are you measuring the temps? With a temp gun or guessing with an analog thermometer because i cant see a thermometer anywhere. But 90F on a hot spot seems high. Try moving the the hotside hide to the cool side and see if the snake migrates over there. If so, it likes that hide and i would get a 2nd one so you have one on each side.

    Also belly hot spots should always be taken from the hottest spot which is the cage floor with no substrate on top.

    I generally keep all my snakes at room temp which is anywhere from 77-80 and just give them a hot spot of around 86-87F with a piece of flexwatt. They spend 90% of the time on the cool side still.

    Try different things. My BCL spent a lot of time in his hide until i put potted plants in his cage. Then he spent a lot of time out just hanging out around the plants. And he is very shy.
    0.1 Rio Bravo Pokigron Suriname BC-Gina
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