why won't my boa constrictor eat?

Answer 1

After eating little kids (=baby goats) the Boa may not be hungry for three months or so.

Answer 2

There are many reasons a snake goes off feed and without knowing details, I can't say which the problem is.

Stress is one of the main reasons a snake quits eating.
Check the cage temps, too cool or too hot and your snake may be uncomfortable.
If the snake is in a cage with another snake, it is too stressful.. separate cages are a must.
If there are other snakes in the room, the snake may be in breeding mode and will not eat for some time.
If it is a new snake, you need to leave it alone for about a week for it to get used to the new surroundings before handling or offering food.
Check for mites(they will look like little specks of pepper in the snakes cage) If they are present you will need to get rid of them.
Is the snake in shed? The snakes eyes will turn cloudy and then clear, within a few weeks the snake will shed. Some will eat at this time, some will not.
Respiratory infections... if the snake is wheezing/whistling/or has mucous, it may be ill.
It could just be that you are feeding too often. Some will eat once a week, others may go up to a month. Make sure not to offer food too often. If the snake doesn't eat within 15-20 minutes of placing the food item in the cage, remove it and don't try again for 7 days.
Make sure you are not feeding too small or too large of a meal. I don't know how old or how big yours is, but for example, you shouldn't feed a small mouse to a 6 foot snake or a large mouse to a neonate(newborn)

Hope that helps. Good Luck!

Answer 3

There could be a number of reasons for this. When was the last time the boa ate? Boa's, like all snakes, have a slow metabolism and don't eat on a regular basis. They could go weeks without eating, depending on how large their last meal was.
It would also depend on how warm or cold their living environment is. The colder it is the slower their metabolism.
If you're concerned about the snake being sick then get some advice from a herpetologist (contact the one at your local zoo) or check with a pet store in your area that sells snakes.

Of course the internet can provide you with plenty of info as well.

Good luck to the both of you!

Answer 4

Could be shedding it's skin or, if it has shed recently , it may not have detached completely. It may be feeling unwell or even nervous or threatened about something.
If it was mine, I would, first of all, spray it with Reptovite each day for a few days. This will ensure that it has all of the essential vitamins it needs. I would also bathe him in some sort of proprietary solution to ensure that his skin is healthy and have a good look at the anal area in particular in case it has got covered whilst shedding.
I would look at his environment to see that it is clean and that he has somewhere nice to hide out if he wants to and I would check for things like draughts or for children, dogs or cats making him feel threatened. If you have changed his food, that could be a problem. I have come across snakes who enjoyed mice but would not eat rats and vice versa.
Finally if you feed him frozen rodents or chicks, make sure that they are fully defrosted and at room temperature, offer them with a long pair of tweezers and the natural shake of your hand will be slightly exaggerated so that it looks as though the creature is alive and moving and remember to release the food and withdraw the tweezers as soon as the snake strikes. At this point leave the snake well alone so that he will not be distracted or feel threatened.
Good luck with your boa. They make a lovely pet

Answer 5

hi there
there could be many reasons.........
1) this is breeding season and most snakes(not all) will go on a shut down period at breeding age3yrs or 6 foot +?... winter season...
2)it could be in a shed ... has it been trying to soak or have u
notice the eye's change to a blue grey and/or the is skin dull?? takes up to 8 weeks..
3)check ur temps is it cool then normal??.. snakes won't eat if temps are not right...
4)does it have mites little bugs running around the skin... black thing's in the water after soaking in a bowl??snakes get to irritated to eat by them and they need treatment for mites...
anything could cause a snake to not to eat....check all the things what i said ... rule them out .... good luck and hope you find out whats wrong....
we have boa's and bred them and other reptiles...

Answer 6

Is he shedding? If so then he may not be interested in eating. Mine used to get like that when it was shedding. It may not be hungry or it may be sick. If you are concerned take it to the Vet and get it checked over. It may be something serious and it may not be. Good Luck!

Answer 7

He maybe full or maybe his vivarium is to cold or your not offering him the right food or maybe the food is off but why not pop along or call your vets

Answer 8

It takes them a long time to digest food it can take a week to digest a single mouse.So you don't have to feed him too often.

Answer 9

they are sometimes very picky eaters maybe you should try to pre-kill the mouse/rat

Answer 10

YOU GOT SOME GOOD ANSWERS ALL READY