Feeding Question about my new boa

[Texas Rattlesnake]

Let me give a little more detail on what I mean by the use of the term "overfeeding." Your temps can contribute to overfeeding. For instance, if your temps are low, it will take your BCC (or emerald) longer to digest its meals. You have to slow down your feedings with lower temps (including ambient temps). If you feed on a schedule, this can cause problems. Study your animal to get a feel for how it is processing its meals under the range of temps that you provide for it.

	Boa Constrictor Constrictor

[Texas Rattlesnake]

Originally Posted by razeraze

This was the surface temperatures in the basking area checked with a temp gun?

Yes, a temp gun. Same one I use today.

[razeraze]

I completely agree and this touches base with what I said earlier about the toxicity of a meal. If temps are too cool the meal will rot in the snakes stomach. All the more reason to give a large temp gradient. The snake will seek out what it needs according to meal size, as was the case with the GTP and the thermal imaging camera. It was a fantastic read, If I could get a nuclear thermal imaging camera it would be awesome to record photographs of my snakes basking to see how it varies with meal size or frequency.

	Green Tree Python

[bleeding_sarcasm]

wowza, what a thread. I have to say that I fall under the "conservative" feeding group. All my snakes are fed every 10-14 days, appropriately sized items. For larger snakes, or especially big meals, I extend it to 14-21 days.

[razeraze]

Originally Posted by Texas Rattlesnake

Yes, a temp gun. Same one I use today.

Then I doubt it was the basking surface. Do you feel with your knowledge today you could not set up a large cage with a basking spot of 100F and keep your BCC alive? Do you feel an out door enclosure would kill them? I feel as long as they have a good cool retreat and plenty of security they could be kept out doors in environments like Florida

	Boa Constrictor Constrictor

[BWSmith]

I fail to see why you keep referring back to monitors. Monitors have pretty much zero to do with snakes. They may be reptiles, but that is basically the limit of similarity. It is like saying "this works for hippos, so it should be good for your raccoon" because they are both mammals.

[Texas Rattlesnake]

Originally Posted by razeraze

I completely agree and this touches base with what I said earlier about the toxicity of a meal. If temps are too cool the meal will rot in the snakes stomach. All the more reason to give a large temp gradient..

Here's the thing though about that female suri that I referred to a few posts ago. She sat on her warm spot like she always does for the first few days after a meal. Her behavior was no different than what I typically observe from her. The mouse (rather than rat pup) was the only variable that changed. I do not think this was a temp-related regurgitation. Just a head scratcher. I have had other young boas puke back a mouse when their diet has consisted of nothing but rats. I'm not suggesting that it is an everyday occurrence. But, it has happened before. I think I've read Gus comment before on intolerance for rodent hair causing regurgitation in boa.

I'll also say that you really have to screw up to make a BCI puke. They are way more tolerant of keeper error than BCC. I do believe that young BCC have a slower metabolism and consequently need more time between meals than young BCI. They are not much different from emeralds in my opinion. Now, full grown BCC. Well, they can pound food without negative consequence.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator

	Boa Constrictor Constrictor

[razeraze]

Actually because I know many keepers who provide very similar habitats for both species Do hippos live where raccoons do? Comparing snakes to lizards or crocodilians is fairly simple if they are found in the same area. I know monitors are not found in the range of BCC but the regurgitation is fairly common in both and I would chalk it up to stress not meal size or frequency.

Are you saying a raccoon and blackbear can't live in similar habitats?

	Boa Constrictor Constrictor

[Texas Rattlesnake]

Originally Posted by razeraze

Do you feel with your knowledge today you could not set up a large cage with a basking spot of 100F and keep your BCC alive? Do you feel an out door enclosure would kill them? I feel as long as they have a good cool retreat and plenty of security they could be kept out doors in environments like Florida

First question--I think sub-adults and adults could tolerate a 100F basking spot. I'd be concerned about the young ones though. If they are puking within a day or two of a feeding, then your basking spot is too high. I guess you would find out sooner rather than later. A five to seven day regurge typically means that your temps are too low and the food is rotting like you say.

Second question--I've heard of emerald keepers using outdoor cages during different times of year down here. It might work. But, I am in North Florida. Our temps fluctuate with lows in the 30s in the winter. It would only be a possibility in the summer.

[razeraze]

Originally Posted by Texas Rattlesnake

Here's the thing though about that female suri that I referred to a few posts ago. She sat on her warm spot like she always does for the first few days after a meal. Her behavior was no different than what I typically observe from her. The mouse (rather than rat pup) was the only variable that changed. I do not think this was a temp-related regurgitation. Just a head scratcher. I have had other young boas puke back a mouse when their diet has consisted of nothing but rats. I'm not suggesting that it is an everyday occurrence. But, it has happened before. I think I've read Gus comment before on intolerance for rodent hair causing regurgitation in boa.

I'll also say that you really have to screw up to make a BCI puke. They are way more tolerant of keeper error than BCC. I do believe that young BCC have a slower metabolism and consequently need more time between meals than young BCI. They are not much different from emeralds in my opinion. Now, full grown BCC. Well, they can pound food without negative consequence.

What is a BCC natural diet if not for rodents (hairless rodents)? If they have a slower metabolism then a larger meal would need to be subjected to a higher temps not a longer basking period (back to the toxicity). So if she basked for long periods of time on small meals she could not have digested a large meal on the same surface, it would have began to rot because of taking too long to digest.

Alright I am off to bed, I will pick this up tomorrow.

	Boa Constrictor Constrictor