Tweet
I just bought 2 new boas on the 8th. One is peruvian/col albino 66% het (don't know what 66% het mean) and the other is a hypo sand boa (don't know what hypo mean). Both are babies I want to know how often I should handle them. I've already had two balls die. The first I bought at a pet store as a baby and I don't know why it died. It ate twice, then stoped. The second was an adult and it got RI. That was my fault because I didn't have proper temp set up. I have everything in order now. And I know that transition and adapting to their new home may stress them out so that's why I'm asking how often I should handle them. As you can see I'm really new. Help
-
-
Re: Transition Question
Well I try not to handle any new boas until they have eaten at least 5 times for me. Other than cleaning there cages and watering I don't bother them at all until they are established eaters. Then after thet I wouldnt handle much more than a few times a week. They tolerate us handling them but would prefer we just leave them alone. -
Re: Transition Question
Well you sound like you've had problems with snakes before that could have been easily identified and fixed. So I will first suggest downloading the ultimate care guide that will teach you 95% of everything that you need to know on basic care for boas, the other 5% and anything else you need to kow will be found on here. As far as handling goes you should handle them every few days. As babies you can stress them from too much handling. SO keep it to a bi-daily event and not for two days after feeding. Hope this helps and dwnload the care guide.Comment
-
Re: Transition Question
Ok so I think I've figured the source of my problem too much handling. I take them out once a day. I hope that I haven't already cause too much stress. The sand was due to eat last mon and didn't but she passed the day before feeding time. The albino was due to eat yesterday and she didn't. She also passed on fri, the day before feeding time, so I figured they just weren't ready to eat. I will leave them alone for awhile. Now I'm wondering if I should try to feed the sand tomorrow? It will be 2 weeks since she ate.Comment
-
Re: Transition Question
When I get a new snake it goes into it's enclosure and stays there undisturbed for a minimum of 10 days. Granted I need to get in there and spot check/clean, offer fresh water, and such but it doesn't get handled for 10 days - at least.
After that it's a slow process. Of handling every couple of days/every few days. After a few weeks I can get to handling on a daily basis. I generally take my boas out and hold them when spot checking/cleaning. I kind of have to do this anyway since I need to check in their hides, and the best way to do that is to move them or take them out. So they each get about 10-15 minutes of loving every morning - aside from longer handlings every few days..
As for what "Hypo" means. It's short for "hypomelanistic." A hypomelanistic boa has reduced amounts of black pigment. As a result the coloring of the boa is lighter than say a Normal Boa. Some hypos are very light, others are only vaguely different than a Normal - it all depends on the pairing of the Sire and Dam and what their genetics are. One interesting characteristic in some hypos is that the tail markings will be lacking a black outline until the pattern get's close to the tip. If memory serves hypomelanism is an incomplete dominant trait.Comment
-
Re: Transition Question
I
found this interesting. I recently received a new to me, female hypo boa. She's approx. 5 FT, and handling her is quite an experience. I have generally given my new boas 2-3 days of "alone" time when they are introduced in to their new home, before I get them out to check their bedding out and fill their water. I gradually increase the time out of the cage as the comfort of the animal allows. I also suggest to not do much handling until at least 48 hours after they eat.Comment
Comment