Just got my first reptile ! Male Hog Island Boa. Need some advice.

[d0hv]

Hello everyone, I just got my little guy this morning. He's a Hog Island Boa. I decided to get a Boa over a Ball Python for my first reptile, because Boas have better personalities in my opinion and better eating attitudes. I have a few questions I would hope you guys can answer.

1-Why does my boy keep trying to escape his enclosure ? It seems like he wants to get out so badly.
2-Why doesn't he use his hide and heat pad ? I don't know if Boas really use hides, like BP's do but I would assume since he's new he would want to be in his hide until he gets used to the environment.
3-How do I get the proper humidity levels ? I don't have substrate yet, I'm just using paper towel for now. I guess I should spray the tank down.
4-When should I feed the guy ? It looks like he ate recently, or I could just be seeing things. I was going to try feeding him next Sunday. Is that ok ?
5-In his tank so far it's ver barebones. I have a hide above his heating pad and a water dish. I will pick up some supplies after work tomorrow. I was going to get some ReptiBark for my substrate, another hide to place on the cool side (Don't know if this is truly necessary since he doesn't even use his main hide), and some branches or logs for him to climb. Anything else ya'll would recommend ?

And here's some pictures of him. His name is King.

[Mangiapane85]

Have you done any research or looked at caresheets for your snake?

I'm sure the Boa guys will chime in, but it seems in the meantime, you could probably do a search for all the answers you're looking for.


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[d0hv]

Have you done any research or looked at caresheets for your snake?

I'm sure the Boa guys will chime in, but it seems in the meantime, you could probably do a search for all the answers you're looking for.


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I have, but questions 1 and 2 I can't really find an answer for. Also the humidity thing is a bit more complicated than I thought.

[Mustang5]

My best advice for questions 1 and 2 is to give him some time. You just got him this morning, he's probably a little stressed. My snakes did the same thing. Eventually he is going to settle into his new home and he'll use his hides and heat pad.

3: I would definitely get some substrate and just try spraying it down until you reach the correct humidity.

4: Sounds like a good plan

5: Definitely get some type of substrate, another hide would probably be a good idea and then its up to you how much you want to decorate his cage.

He is a beautiful snake btw good luck!

[paulh]

First thing I'd do is check the temperature at the heat pad. And the floor inside the hide. They may be too hot.

Is the cage a converted aquarium? What sort of top does it have? Is there a thermometer, and where is it located in the tank?

[dkatz4]

Great looking boa, but what we need are pic of the enclosure. Also, is his heat pad on a thermostat? Unplug it if not. Ask the person who sold him to you when he last ate, then give his next meal according to age. Humidity is a beast, but impossible to advise without the details of your setup. Also, paper towels are fine for substrate if you have your humidity dialed in. Speaking of dials, wha are you using to measure heat and humidity?
The boa-folk here will get you on the right path, but you have to supply all relevant info.

[bcr229]

Is your heat pad regulated by a thermostat? If not it will get hot enough to burn your snake, which may be why your boa isn't using it.

[d0hv]

Yes I have thermostat connected to the heating pad. I have it set at 90 degrees. And I just have one of those zoo med analog thermometer/hydrometer. I'll invest in a digital one as well.

[Sauzo]

Hello everyone, I just got my little guy this morning. He's a Hog Island Boa. I decided to get a Boa over a Ball Python for my first reptile, because Boas have better personalities in my opinion and better eating attitudes. I have a few questions I would hope you guys can answer.

1-Why does my boy keep trying to escape his enclosure ? It seems like he wants to get out so badly.
2-Why doesn't he use his hide and heat pad ? I don't know if Boas really use hides, like BP's do but I would assume since he's new he would want to be in his hide until he gets used to the environment.
3-How do I get the proper humidity levels ? I don't have substrate yet, I'm just using paper towel for now. I guess I should spray the tank down.
4-When should I feed the guy ? It looks like he ate recently, or I could just be seeing things. I was going to try feeding him next Sunday. Is that ok ?
5-In his tank so far it's ver barebones. I have a hide above his heating pad and a water dish. I will pick up some supplies after work tomorrow. I was going to get some ReptiBark for my substrate, another hide to place on the cool side (Don't know if this is truly necessary since he doesn't even use his main hide), and some branches or logs for him to climb. Anything else ya'll would recommend ?

And here's some pictures of him. His name is King.

1. Are your temps and humidity good? 78-80F cool side ambient(air) temp, 90F hot spot and 60-70% humidity. Does he have small enough hides on the cool side and warm side? Throw is a couple paper towel tubes or a cereal box. Snakes LOVE cereal boxes for some reason lol.

2. Are the hides small enough for him to feel secure in and closed off enough? A hide with huge doors is not secure for them. Looks like you got a t-stat which is good. 90F is on the floor of the cage? You don't want to take temps from the top of the substrate. Also get digital equipment. Analog generally is off in accuracy.

3. Cover 3/4 or more of the top of the cage with tin foil or thick cardboard wrapped in tin foil or acrylic cut to fit with holes drilled for air. Then what I do for tanks is lay a folded up wet paper towel on top of the cool and warm hide. That should bump you up there. Also use a large water dish and place it close to the UTH.

4. Most of my snakes eat the first day. Depends if the snake looks comfortable. The general rule though is wait a week.

5. I keep pretty much all my cages pretty minimalistic as I like the ease of cleaning. I just give my snakes 2 hides, a large water bowl and in the AP cages, I have shelves for them to sit on and climb on. You can go as fancy as you want but remember, the more stuff you have in there, the more work it will be to keep it all clean and trying to find secret poops and pisses in a cluttered cage can be a treat. I would invest in the second hide for sure and probably something for him to climb on. Reptibark should be fine. I use aspen but after my 2 bails run out, I am going to switch to ReptiChips. I would also definitely invest in a IR temp gun and new thermometers. I personally use https://www.acurite.com/digital-humi...326-00327.html.

[Mangiapane85]

So they're basically identical to the husbandry needs of a BP? What have I been waiting for?? I'm buying a Boa! Lol


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