Took in Extremely unhealthy boa, need some advice

[Akuryai]

Hey guys, havent been on in awhile. Anywhoo, I was told from a friend that a guy had rescued a Red tail boa, and was giving it away free to good home. And yes, I knew beforehand the snake was unhealthy, but my god, some people shouldnt own snakes. Whoever he rescued it from, must have had a mental illness. This snake is 5 years old, and she is only 4.5feet long, has a scar on her head from a rat bite, and her ribs are showing. Im surprised at how tame she is, considering her abusive past. Im just curious, is there anything I can do to allow her to atleast get some meat back on her bones? Besides a higher rate of food. Maybe some kind of medicine? I plan on nursing this snake back to full health, making her a great member of my family.

[ladywhipple02]

I would recommend just taking it slow. The first step would be to make sure she's hydrated... maybe mix a little pedialyte in her water to get her some immediate vitamins. I would stress her out as little as possible, ie, no force-feeding or anything. Let her tell you what she needs, if that makes sense (if she acts hungry, feed her )

[Akuryai]

Yeah she actually feeds and acts no problem. Its just her weight is a major issue

[kylephillips87]

Buy live rats and gutload them with nutritious foods cheese peanut butter veggies grains for about a week or 2 before feeding the snake. Worked for my rescue redtail she put on weight with in 3 weeks and 2 rats

[kylephillips87]

Another very nutritious meal is a pregnant rat and I mean one that is about to have babies

[dr del]

As said take it slow.

You don't want to overstress her by giving too large a meal - start with a small rat and see if she keeps that down ok before moving up the prey size.

[CloudtheBoa]

She should just naturally put on weight with a normal feeding schedule. Take it slow at first, and once she puts on a little weight and can handle it, feed her on a regular schedule. She should put on weight herself just by eating regularly. Good luck, and keep us posted.

[Akuryai]

Yeah she eats fine, actually fed her killed medium rat. I can feel her ribs and spine, so hopefully in the next few months I can remedy that. Unfortunately she will never be the size other Boa constrictors normally get. But hey, I've always liked the short girls.


No but really, its sad to see what kind of life she had before.

[Akuryai]

here you can see her face, with the bump on her poor head

the silly snake on my laptop

Her whole body, notice her dwarf size for a 5yr old Boa Constricor

A closeup of her body, revealing her ribs


Poor girl has this scar forever, still a beautiful snake

One day, she will be nice and healthy and happy under my care and excellent husbandry

[Rickys_Reptiles]

She doesn't look too skinny to me, certainly not a reason to panic. I feed my adult boa 1 large rat every 3 weeks.

Boas don't need to eat too often, or they just get fat. So yeah, do as stated above and take it slow. 1 rat every 2 weeks is fine.