New Colombian Rainbow Boa

[freelancer]

OK, I figured out two things: Her name (with a buddy's help), and I have a better idea of her growth rate.

So my friend suggested "Lizzy," which kinda stuck but I made it into Thin Lizzy. Would Mr. Lynott have approved? Hm.

After some more reading, I found out that yearlings can be around 4ft in length. Does that sound too quick to anyone? It would be fine either way, but now I'm wondering what tank to get her and when. I have a 20gl long that I would like to convert into a vertical - I know she's going to be climbing, but that doesn't leave too much floor space for her? Also, I figure she wouldn't be in there for very long if she's reaching ~4ft in a year.

She's maybe 12"+ right now, when should I move her from a shoebox tub to a proper tank? What size? Should I use the 20gl as a long till she outgrows it in a few months?

[SlitherinSisters]

Very cool, congrats on winning the auction!

[freelancer]

OK, I seem to be having trouble feeding her. I have offered mostly live fuzzy mice, and one time F/T, and she displays very little interest. Actually, she seems bothered by the presence of one in the tub. She's active, seems healthy, temps and hum is in keeping with the caresheets I've read, and in fact, she's already shed once and it was perfect.

Bottom line, she looks fine but hasn't fed in the few weeks that I've had her. I have only handled her briefly to take care of the tub, and never just before a feeding. I have been offering a mouse once a week. Should I be worried? I know my Pacific island boa (candoia) is healthy as can be but only eats during the summer most years. However, he's an adult, while she is just a hatchling. I've never had a snake so young. Shouldn't she be eating regularly?

The shop said they'd take her back for a few days to see if they can't get her to feed. They told me she had been eating fuzzies, and I tend to believe them. I'd really rather deal with this myself, though I will take her there if need be.

[freelancer]

Quick update, for anyone interested: Thin Lizzy finally fed. I waited till I saw her hunting around the tub for a couple of days, and dropped in a little fuzzy. She jumped on it like a car salesman on a guy with a tax refund. Now that it's been a few days, I'll be moving her to a proper tank soon. It's set up to offer her plenty more exercise and much less boredom than the plastic shoebox she's been living in.

[WifeOfSlasher]

Hmmm... If you finally got her to eat I would wait to move her. Get a few successful feedings in first. The move could stress her again and she may. It eat for awhile. With such a youngin I wouldn't want her to miss very many feedings.

[freelancer]

I was thinking about that, too. She's not terribly shy, but if she's comfortable enough in the shoebox to eat there, it might not be bad to leave her there for at least another round.

I'm still working on her tank anyway. I've got the temp down, but the humidity is still too low. I may build her a mister if a little box of sphagnum moss doesn't do it. But that's why I'm experimenting now, before she moves in.