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#1508700
Na_roxs
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 What do I do.
Hey all I am a first time Red tail owner I have had my snake for two years now and for some reason he will not eat. I keep his tank about 86 on the hot side and 72 on the cool side with about a 10 degree change at night. He has not eaten in about three months he usually eats every other week depending on size some times when I get him a smaller rat it will be every week. He eats live food and have tried a couple of techniques such as dangling, I tried smaller rats,I tried leaving it in the cage for some time,and I even went to the extent of knocking the rat out. He seems to act afraid of it he will hiss at it,coil away from it, even when I was dangling it he struck it then released it and did not coil it up. COULD HE BE SICK. Does any one have suggestions. Thanks na_roxs
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11/10/07 05:32pm
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#1508748
Na_roxs
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Message To: Na_roxs In reference to Message Id: 1508700
What do I do.
Hey I also forgot to mention the last time he shed he also had a hard time of it and it his skin came off in Little pieces, and i had to soak him to get the rest off. He usually has one solid shed and has had good sheds since.
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11/10/07 06:11pm
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#1508789
Stonedsmurfette
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Message To: Na_roxs In reference to Message Id: 1508748
What do I do.
What the humidity like? It should be around 50-65% at all times. Or so that’s what I was told.
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11/10/07 06:40pm
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#1509581
Na_roxs
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Message To: Stonedsmurfette In reference to Message Id: 1508789
What do I do.
I really don’t check the humidity,I use echo earth and I add a couple cups of water each time I change the water every couple of days. Thanks though maybe i should start monitoring the humidity he don’t seem to have a hard time shedding though so I just figured I was doing OK in that department.
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11/11/07 11:53am
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#1509588
Stonedsmurfette
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Message To: Na_roxs In reference to Message Id: 1509581
What do I do.
Humidity is extremely important. It could be to high.
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11/11/07 11:59am
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#1509603
Na_roxs
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Message To: Stonedsmurfette In reference to Message Id: 1509588
What do I do.
Thanks going to the pet store now. Also going to ask about a local vet for the area when I got him snakey that is did not really now was so much work to keep him alive I have had him for two years never once been to the vet, I did some reading out of ooks to find out about temps and then I went from there just feed him when ever he starts to get active, never monitored his growth, never had him checked at all. I do check him for mites dont seem to be any bugs on him. I cant phisacly find any thing wrong with him. I did find info today about mating and I geuss this is his time to be mature and be most sexully active. It also says they are only focused on that and not to worry to baddly yet if he seems healtyand not lossing weight so i dont know. thanjs for your help gonna go to pet store now.
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11/11/07 12:16pm
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#1510804
Shermanator
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Message To: Na_roxs In reference to Message Id: 1509603
What do I do.
Buy a humidity reader can’t remember what they are called, but don’t cost much. Mist him down when in shed and try raising her temps a little so it’s at least 90+ on the warm side. Could be to do with the mating season or maybe due to shed?
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11/12/07 07:43am
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#1511509
Florida boy
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Message To: Shermanator In reference to Message Id: 1510804
What do I do.
hydrometers can be purchased at walmart cheap. Sheds should come off in one peice everytime. Not eating could do with the weather change and breeding season, sometimes males will go off feed. Could also be illness from bad humidity and temps. To boost humidity spray cage walls instead off adding water to the substrate. Wet substrate is a cause and inabler of belly rot.
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11/12/07 07:01pm
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#1511838
Dmnall
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Message To: Florida boy In reference to Message Id: 1511509
What do I do.
Well I can see one problem no one actually saw from the beginning, his warm side is 86 and cool side is 72 with a 10 degree at night?? As noted he should have the hot side 90 and I would recommend no lower then 75 on the cool side *I prefer to keep it as close to 80 as possible even at night.. Could be that his snake is going through not eating because of breeding age but I still say his temps are just too low. I just checked my female boas cage and the temps are 90 on hot site and 79 on the cool side which is fine.. Close to 80 should be fine...
Charlie
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11/12/07 09:58pm
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#1511980
Skullkeeper
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Message To: Dmnall In reference to Message Id: 1511838
What do I do.
I have to agree you need to get a hydrometer and are you using a digital thermometer ? Stick on ones are not accurate . You temps should be higher like DMNAN said . You might also try feeding at night and braining the mouse instead of feeding live pray .
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11/12/07 11:38pm
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#1512375
Na_roxs
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Message To: Skullkeeper In reference to Message Id: 1511980
What do I do.
Sweet thanks for the advice on more question what is belly rot and what would I look for if that would be the case.
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11/13/07 11:49am
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#1512763
Florida boy
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Message To: Na_roxs In reference to Message Id: 1512375
What do I do.
belly rot is a bacterial and sometimes fungal skin infection. It range from just dryish rusty colors belly scales(comes off in one shed with clean dry invironment plus topical antibiotics). To full out hamster brain filled blisters and rotting flesh resulting in a slow painfull horrible death. Causes are filthy wet cages or filthy dry cages pretty much filthy nasty poopy,urate covered cages are to blame. Wet cages exaserbate the whole filthy thing, a slightly dirty cage that is overly wet is filthy and full of bacteria and other general nastys as compared to a slightly dirty cage that is relativly dry would not pose as much as a risk.
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11/13/07 06:17pm
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#1513472
Shermanator
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Message To: Dmnall In reference to Message Id: 1511838
What do I do.
Did I not say that?
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11/14/07 05:27am
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#1513643
Na_roxs
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Message To: Florida boy In reference to Message Id: 1512763
What do I do.
Woe thanks that not the case here. But good info to know I use echo earth and watch for poop and urine and immediately remove it and the earth around it. I know I don’t get it all But I change my substrate about every month to month an a half. Is that sufficient or should it be more frequent.
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11/14/07 11:23am
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#1513646
Na_roxs
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Message To: Na_roxs In reference to Message Id: 1513643
What do I do.
I also wanted every one to know how much I have apreciated the advice you all have been of great help it is kick poopie head you all are here. Thanks so much
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11/14/07 11:26am
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#1513740
Vive
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Message To: Na_roxs In reference to Message Id: 1508700
What do I do.
It could be the climate change mine goes through phases of not eatin when it gets cold out side even when the temps in its cage steay the same just keep trying to feed it as long as its not acting weird other than not eating. Then I wouldn’t worrie too much esp since its not a baby
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11/14/07 01:29pm
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#1514687
Na_roxs
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Message To: Vive In reference to Message Id: 1513740
What do I do.
Vive you said as long as he is not acting weird. He usually gets real active searching his home for food, all over the place,up to the top, he just moves around alot almost as if he is letting me know he is hungry. Or so I thought he always ate when he did these things until know. He has been doing these things now for the last while that’s why I have been trying to feed. I read in a book that Boas usually are not very active unless hungry and that they actually get there most exercises when they eat. So I guess what I am asking is he acting funny or is this also sign of searching for a female.
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11/15/07 10:06am
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#1519627
Vive
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Message To: Na_roxs In reference to Message Id: 1514687
What do I do.
I wouldn’t really call that weird I would say if he was just sitting in his hide 24-7 would be a little more strange than wondering around mine is all over the place no matter what... And he is two years old so he could be looking for a female they can go for months with out eating and I’ll bet he’s a pretty good size but they do go through phases my ball hasn’t eaten in almost 5 months and I believe its because of the weather change she seems to do it near this time every year but she is 4 years and pretty much full grown so I don’t worry. you can try offering him a new food like a gerbil or something but from what I have heard it doesn’t sound like he is sick is he still drinking plenty? as long as he is hydrated I would just wait and try to feed every other week you can also try ignoring him completely for 2 weeks and then trying to feed again also has he gone to the bathroom? either one pee or poo he will pee more often but as long as he is hes drinking and that’s the important part while not eating. Sorry it took so long to get back to you but some pics would be great if possible.
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11/19/07 09:33am
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#1665461
Na_roxs
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Message To: Vive In reference to Message Id: 1519627
What do I do.
Hey everyone just wanted to let you all know that my snake eat again it took about 6 months had too get him through a respiratory infection. Seems too be healthy again Thanks for all your help
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03/18/08 12:46am
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#1665987
SusanC
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Message To: Na_roxs In reference to Message Id: 1665461
 What do I do.
Just for the record...according to the Barron’s Boa book... (pages 29-31)your temps should be 85-92 on the warm side and low 80’s on the cool side with a drop of several degrees at night. Humidity depends on your snakes skin condition and the conditions in which you keep your enclosure.. for example house temps etc... I keep my humidity between 48-52. Let me know how that substrate is working for you.. I don’t think I’d be comfortable with a substrate that you put water on.. I prefer to mist the enclosure itself... or add extra water bowl... or wet paper towels. Wet substrate can lead to scale rot... bacteria and mold... I would wonder about this if I were you especially if I just fought a RI for 6 months. Anyway.. just my 2 cents worth... glad your snake has started eating again... keep us posted!
Susan
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03/18/08 04:24pm
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