Brazilian Rainbow Boa acting weird after drinking/eating.

[Vanity]

I just recently got a baby Brazilian rainbow. Recently as in 3 days ago ish. I went to petco to get him some fuzzies, and tried to feed a couple to him last night. He wouldn't take them because they were freezer burned. Something my mom had pointed out. So I went back and got a crap ton of pinkies for 20% off. Tonight, he ate 5. Took them down no problem. I put him back in his tank after that, and since the tank is still fairly new to him, I directed him toward his water, and he started drinking almost immediately. He's been drinking for the past 45 minutes but takes small breaks here and there. The thing I'm worried about is that during these breaks, he lifts his head up a little and I can see that the pocket of skin/scales under his jaw looks swollen like he has water in it. It goes up and down like a frogs throat does when it's croaking. And sometimes he'll open his mouth partially. And he twists his neck from side to side as well. But then he'll just go right back to drinking. Is this behavior normal? O.o

[bcr229]

Yes it sounds right, they can do some odd things while drinking. I have an adult male that takes forever when he drinks, he'll take a few sips, look around, move around, take a sip, move around... repeat.

In the future feed him in his enclosure, moving a boa around immediately after eating is risking 1) a bite, as they stay foody for a while, and 2) a regurge from stress.

Also since he just ate what sounds like a rather large meal and you've only had him a short time, leave him alone for a three days to digest. BRB's run cooler than other snakes so they need a bit more time to process their food.

[MikeBPython]

my boa dunked her whole snout in the bowl for a good amount of seconds.

[mjmullis]

Sounds like he's gargling.. Maybe trying to get the rodent taste out of his mouth... 🐍

[Reinz]

I have to echo what bcr229 said. My Boa will do strange and long bouts at the water bowl where I question if she is sick or not. It just seems to be be her schitck, that's all.

[JoshSloane]

Sounds normal to me. I have seen boas do all kinds of weird things, and make all kinds of noises after drinking.

[bobby33449]

I have a rainbow boa and every time she drinks she gets in the bowl and the goes under and raises her head above the water and drinks