| Boa Constrictors one are the most commonly kept | | | | 'tempting' the boa with the prey. Either use a long |
| snakes, and with good reason. They tend to make | | | | pair of forceps and dangle the prey in front of the |
| excellent pet as they are docile, easy to handle, and | | | | snake, or drop the rodent on the floor of the |
| have modest care requirements. They are also | | | | vivarium, and gently wiggle it with a stick. With a little |
| generally good feeders, usually taking defrosted | | | | patience this is often enough to get a boa eating. |
| rodents without trouble. | | | | 5.The 'bait and switch' method: If the above methods |
| Some boas however, particularly wild caught | | | | have failed, you can try using a freshly killed mouse. |
| specimens, can be problematic to wean onto | | | | Dangle it with the forceps, and try to get the boa to |
| defrosted prey. Having a snake which refuses to eat | | | | strike. Once in feeding mode, you can swap in a |
| can be extremely frustrating, but there is usually no | | | | defrosted rodent. |
| need for concern. If the boa is otherwise healthy it | | | | 6. Offering freshly killed prey: If, after a number of |
| can go for considerable amounts of time between | | | | attempts with the above methods, you really can't |
| meals. | | | | get your boa eating defrosted rodents, try offering |
| If your snake is refusing to eat, monitor its weight, | | | | one which is freshly killed. If your snake takes the |
| and follow these tips to help get your boa feeding | | | | prey, try offering a small defrosted rodent |
| readily and easily. | | | | immediately afterwards. Often, once the boa is |
| 1. Feed appropriately sized prey: All species of boa | | | | already in feeding mode, it will take the defrost, and |
| can be fed exclusively on rodents in captivity. They | | | | once a boa has eaten one defrosted rodent, it will |
| type and size of prey is entirely dependent on the | | | | take more in the future. If this fails at first, the next |
| size of the snake. Neonates may be started on pinky | | | | time you feed the snake, hold a defrosted rodent |
| (day old) mice, and the prey size should gradually | | | | against the half swallowed fresh kill. This can be |
| increased as the snake grows. Small, through medium, | | | | enough to trick the boa into eating both, and again, |
| to large mice should be followed by rats, and even | | | | once they have taken a single defrost it is easier to |
| rabbits for larger boas. The key is to offer prey no | | | | feed more in the future. |
| larger than the girth of the snake to avoid straining | | | | 7. Offering live prey: Only if all of the above methods |
| the boa's digestive system. | | | | have failed should live prey be offered. A live rodent |
| 2. Feed your boa at regular intervals: How regularly | | | | has sharp teeth and claws, and can seriously injure a |
| you offer prey items will depend on the age and size | | | | snake. Never leave live prey in with your boa for |
| of your boa. For most species, neonates should be | | | | more than 15 minutes, and never unattended. Keep a |
| fed weekly, while adults can be fed fortnightly since | | | | close eye and be ready to remove the rodent |
| it takes them longer to digest the larger meal. Boa | | | | quickly if necessary. |
| with slow metabolisms however, such as the Emerald | | | | By following the above methods you should be able |
| Tree Boas, only need feeding every 21 days. | | | | to tempt just about any boa to eat, and slowly to |
| 3. Defrost the rodents safely: While pinkies and small | | | | wean them onto defrosted food. Once taking |
| mice can be safely defrosted at room temperature, | | | | defrost, try to keep them on it unless absolutely |
| larger items will take longer, increasing the chance of | | | | necessary. |
| bacterial growth. To safely defrost prey items, place | | | | In the rare cases where all the the above methods |
| in the a refrigerator overnight, sealed in a plastic tub. | | | | fail, and a boa is losing weight, it may be necessary |
| Before feeding, warm them slightly for 30 minutes | | | | to force feed. This is a stressful, and dangerous |
| under a lamp, or near a radiator. Always ensure that | | | | method of feeding which should only be attempted |
| prey is thoroughly defrosted, and avoid using a | | | | by experienced herpetoculturists and is beyond the |
| microwave which will partially cook the prey. | | | | scope of this article. If you get to the stage where |
| 4. Tempt your boa with defrosted prey first: If your | | | | force feeding is necessary, consult your veterinarian, |
| boa won't take defrosted prey on its own, try | | | | or find an experienced keeper via your local |
| leaving it undisturbed in the vivarium overnight. | | | | herpetology center. However, with patience and the |
| Another trick is to try leaving the prey, and the | | | | methods outlined above you're unlikely to ever need |
| snake, in an unfurnished plastic tub for an hour. If | | | | to resort to that. |
| neither of these methods work, you should try | | | | |