Nicaraguan Boa questions.....

[SVT Wylde]

I asked for a video of this snake and she sent me one a few minutes ago. He is very lethargic and instead of tongue flicking he would just stick his tongue out and lay it on her arm for 30-40 seconds. It happened 3 times in a 5 min video.

I have saw enough, I thanked her for her time and suggested feed him one small mouse a week and see a vet if he doesn’t get better. I don’t know whether I’m more mad or more sad about this whole situation but it sucks. I will probably take the numerous suggestions here and start with a baby boa from a reputable breeder.

[JRLongton]

He is very lethargic and instead of tongue flicking he would just stick his tongue out and lay it on her arm for 30-40 seconds. It happened 3 times in a 5 min video.

Christ, its very upsetting to hear things like that.

The temptation to rescue the poor guy can be strong, but it is such a risk to take...

On the brighter side, Spring is almost here. That means there'll be lots of new hatchlings and snakelets to start off right with!

[SVT Wylde]

45 minutes is a long time to handle. I don't really handle any of my snakes that long, except Behira sometimes (Ghost BCI). The only way I handle her that long is if she's either playing on her scaffolding/climbing station or she falls asleep on me (which happens often).

So keep it to 20-25 min about 3 times a week? My BP seems to enjoy being out but I know they stress easily. I keep him to 30 min twice a week, usually less.

[Bogertophis]

So keep it to 20-25 min about 3 times a week? My BP seems to enjoy being out but I know they stress easily. I keep him to 30 min twice a week, usually less.

Every snake is different. It's always better to keep it brief while a snake is getting to know you & settling in, but after that it's a judgement call. Most snakes are shy
& feel safer when hiding, which they can learn to do when held close to you in a "sheltering" manner. As long as your snake eats normally, it's probably not stressed,
& it's usually safe to gradually increase the time.

Another consideration (& an explanation too): remember that the intrinsic needs of each kind of snake and also it's physical body size will help determine how long they
are comfortable being held. Ball pythons & boas are heavy-bodied snakes with a greater need for warmth, & we are roughly 98.6* so in handling, we are supplying them
with that warmth. The bigger the snake is, the longer it takes them to warm up, whereas colubrids may possibly over-heat. Always consider the environmental temper-
ature along with the kind & size of snake you're handling...desert dwelling snakes, versus those from cooler temperate climates, and remember that fear isn't the only
reason they get restless- they may just be too warm.

The large BCI that I had for many years was very comfortable around my waist for a couple hours when I watched a movie, & she fought going back in her cage.
Small or slender snakes have a good reason they cannot do that, though if the room is cooler, that will be a factor for how long they can tolerate. The reasons my
robust 7' Florida rat snakes have done so well for "meet & greets" that last at least 4+ hours is that (besides being tame & used to people), they are from a warm
climate & have good body size that takes a long time before they over-heat...plus the summertime event is always indoors, with A/C.

[SVT Wylde]

Great info! I’ll do shorter sessions and go for 3 times a week. I try to handle him late in the evenings when he is awake. Waking me up in the middle of the “night”and handling me would stress me out lol

I’m talking to a breeder I found on Morph Market called Gilbert Boas. Seems like a really good guy and very responsive to messages. I’ll keep an eye out for a spring hatchling.

[richardhind1972]

I think that's a good call, at least you can grow to trust each other from scratch, good luck and post plenty when you get one

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