How long after feeding do you wait?

[dgrout1989]

Just thought id through this out there since there seems to be alot of debate on this topic. Now for by ball python I always give her 24 to 48 hrs to digest before handling. She does good with this. So for my recently acquired 6ft boa I was wondering if 48 hrs is enough or does she need more. Ive read some people wait 72hr or more. Please post your thoughts looking for as much feedback as possible. Mine ate a jumbo rat yesterday and she is 6 to 6.5ft at least.

[MarkS]

24-48 hours is fine as a general rule of thumb but I guess that depends on what you consider handling. I have no issue handling any of my animals shortly after feeding as long as it's for very short periods of time, ie: cage cleaning or something of that sort. But I used to do a lot of educational reptile shows where I was going to be handling animals in a public setting for as much as an hour at a time and I wouldn't take out any animals that had eaten that week. When I knew that a show was coming up I'd skip feeding the ones that I was planning on taking with me.

[calmolly1]

I'm a newbie but have found my 7 m old BP comes out of hiding about 48 hours after eating a weanling rat. But my 4m BCI seems to need an extra 24 hours so 72 hours. She is 517g and is eating a small rat every 7 days. I kind of let them tell me. The BP starts knocking on her cage doors and the boa sits on her log when they are ready to be sociable.


Molly & Steve
0.1 normal BP 'Precioucess'
0.1 BCI 'Luna'

[bcr229]

I wait 3-4 days for my largest boas, longer if they're still under their hot side hide digesting after a meal, unless it's something quick like spot cleaning or doing their water - and for those I rarely to handle them. Once I see them off the heat I handle them again.

[Gio]

It depends on the meal size, the type of boa, and the type of handling.

In general a BCI that has no history or regurge will be OK after 48 hours, but if it's a larger snake that is eating rabbits you may want to go 3 days. I would say a minimum would be 48 hours and you can adjust for meal size.

Now depending on what you mean by handling and duration things could change again.

When I get my snakes out, I usually hold them for a short time, and then build some type of climbing station made of chairs or bar stools and let them decide how active they want to be. Sometimes, they'll just perch and that's fine, and other times they'll cruise and explore.

The royal isn't a climber and she'll sit in a lap and soak up body heat.

If you have any issues with feeding or temperament after handling, you should look into limiting handling time and extend digestion.

Getting to know your snake will help.

Boa constrictors usually eat, drink, digest and defecate in a very predictable manner. Once you know what that is for your snake you can make adjustments if you think something isn't right.

[dgrout1989]

It depends on the meal size, the type of boa, and the type of handling.

In general a BCI that has no history or regurge will be OK after 48 hours, but if it's a larger snake that is eating rabbits you may want to go 3 days. I would say a minimum would be 48 hours and you can adjust for meal size.

Now depending on what you mean by handling and duration things could change again.

When I get my snakes out, I usually hold them for a short time, and then build some type of climbing station made of chairs or bar stools and let them decide how active they want to be. Sometimes, they'll just perch and that's fine, and other times they'll cruise and explore.

The royal isn't a climber and she'll sit in a lap and soak up body heat.

If you have any issues with feeding or temperament after handling, you should look into limiting handling time and extend digestion.

Getting to know your snake will help.

Boa constrictors usually eat, drink, digest and defecate in a very predictable manner. Once you know what that is for your snake you can make adjustments if you think something isn't right.

Thank you for the detailed response. I plan to wait at least 48 hr. Like I said she eats jumbo rats as of right now. And handling I just mean to get her out hold her or let her explore for 15 min or so nothing crazy. This is her first feeding with me so I plan to keep track of everything. Im still pretty new to all of this but ive done my research I just think there is alot of knowledgeable people here and love to hear their opnions.

[Gio]

It sounds like you are on the right track and are asking intelligent, well thought out questions.

Since it's your first feeding, keep it simple and stress free. Observe the snake and let it be until it has eliminated.

Once you get familiar with the snake's process, things will work out well for you both.

[CloudtheBoa]

When my boa was a baby, I'd wait 48 hours, but now that he's older I like to give him 72 hours, although sometimes I might wait only 48 hours if he eat a rat (but I'm stocked up on rabbits so no rats until he's through with them). I don't really do anything crazy when I handle my snakes, they either crawl around outside, on the floor if I have enough room, or I let them climb on me. I've also been wanting to get a tree for the boas to climb on, but I don't have the room atm.