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ok well i just recently got a very nice boa from a breeder that had a pretty good rep. ive had no problems so far but ive noticed my boa has a tendancy to look upward. i know it sounds normal but it looks wierd. he'll stick his head up (straight up) and just sit like that for...it depends maybe about 1/2 an hour to i dont know how long. is this just because he is interested in the ceiling(maybe i should get him some posters lol) or could it be a sign of something wrong? ??? ??? ??? ???
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Re: what is this/should i be worried?
No that is perfectly normal, my baby does it all the time. It is really funny lookin huh. I guess they are just checking out the surroundings. -
Re: what is this/should i be worried?
a boa that stares straight up for a lengthy period of time does not seem normal to me. i mean from time to time snakes will look upward and may stay in that position for a little, but it should not be for a long period of time. when you say your boa stares straight up, how much of the body is up in the air?and does the boa move from this position if it sees you, or is the boa almost like in a trance? it is common for boas to freeze in any one position for several minutes. however if the behavior continues i would consult your veterinarian asap. a nose up posture could be the cause of a respitory infection which makes breathing difficult. star gazing can also be the result of a disease in the nervous system. the most common and deadly is known as inclusion body disease. i am not telling you all this info to scare you and panic, i am just saying that there could be a number of reasons for this behavior. i would keep careful eye on your snake and look for any other abnormal behavior. iComment
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Re: what is this/should i be worried?
damian-when he's lookin up he has anywhere from just his head to 4-5 inches of his neck straight up. i think he sees me when i come in, sometimes he'll move an sometimes he wont. umm i dont think he has a respritory infection i checked his mouth and its clean and he doesnt wheeze or anything. no mucas or other stuff. as far as abnormal behavior he seems to be fine other than his lil lookin up habit. hes eating aggresively an nothin else seems to be wrong...Comment
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Re: what is this/should i be worried?
Damian is correct. A "frozen" posture is a behavior that most snakes will engage in, but almost every snake will respond to your hand moving in front of them, or respond by moving thier head or flicking their tongue.
An inablity to break this posture, or if the snake stays in that position even when "disturbed" it can be a sign of Star Gazers disease or even IBD.
Here is an article on Star Gazer's Disease.
To gain knowledge is good, but to share knowledge is wise
-Best Regards
-Clay English
Founder Redtailboas.com 1998-2013Comment
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Re: what is this/should i be worried?
Unfortunately, I have to side w/ Clay & Damian here. I hope it's nothing serious, but it sounds like my first boa. She died of IBD only a few months after we had her. She had the exact same behavior that you're describing. :-/Comment
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