FEEDING REGIMAN

[BoaLover2]

one of my snakes has been eating 2 mice for about 2 months but isn't getting any fatter he is mostly healthy*. he is growing good and isn't sick except for pesty mites which i keep treating and if have another idea pleae tell bacause i want them to be healthier. anyways my question is this: should i go ffrom 2 mice to a smallrat

[Panama_Red]

First off you have to get rid of those mites!! You can't expect growth when mites are drinking his blood. How often are you feeding, and what size?

[Randy_T.]

I agree with Ed, the mites are the first and foremost priority. After you get the mites dealt with I would move to a small/hopper rat if the boa is on 2 mice per feeding. (Rats have more nutrients then mice) and it is nice to get them over to rats as early as possible to avoid having switch over problems when the boa is bigger.

[BoaLover2]

do you have another way than rep. relief because it isn't the best thing? and i have tried to get rid and will spray them down tommorow after they finish their two days of digestion.

[Randy_T.]

Do an extreme over all cleaning of the area, and use provent a mite in the enclosure, and surrounding area (even on the floor within a few foot radius of the enclosure) Then put new bedding (I suggest using only newspaper until the mite problem is gone) then replace the water bowl and put the snake back in.

Just make sure the provent a mite is dry before putting the snake back into the enclosure, I have heard it is safe to the touch and know of some people who spray the snake down but why risk it when the dry chemical on the enclosure walls will do the trick..

Good luck

[kasper22]

I agree with Randy, use provent a mite. The stuff works great. give the cage a good spray down, and let it dry. Use the reptile relife on the snake while you wait if you want. (I havn't used it don't know much about it) Then have just news paper or paper towel as the substrait. and a water dish in the cage. I like to repeat once a week for three weeks even if I don't see mites after the first cleaning.

[ratman]

I concur! Provent-A-Mite is the bomb! And definitely switch to a small/hopper rat! :'(

[BoaLover2]

Where do i get prevent a mite

[Randy_T.]

You can order it online, and also many owner ran petshops will carry it. It will cost about 20 to have a can shipped to you (it will be shipped ground, but won't take too terribly long) or around 20 to pick it up at a petshop.. Good luck getting a can.

[BoaLover2]

jsut so you know there are 2 snakes together in the cage BUT iam treating them both and i am getting a new cage soon. i have been spraying them and the cage with rep relief.

[boaddict]

jsut so you know there are 2 snakes together in the cage BUT iam treating them both and i am getting a new cage soon.  i have been spraying them and the cage with rep relief.


I ask this out of curiosity, is that a heatrock? And why are you using sand as a substrate?

Ive had mites a few times in the last few years and i agree PAM is the stuff to use. If that is a heatrock please for your snakes health remove it and replace with a bulb or uth.

Good luck with the mites!

[BoaLover2]

Heatrock?? i have no heatrocks because i know they can severley burn the snake because they do not relize that it will burn them. i use sand for a few reasens: easy to spotclean looks good, gives the snake a good environment to live in, holds heat, and because the pet store i go to has sand and i havn't yet to buy a carpet or or other substrate and do yall have any other substarates that can be bought at petsmart or any other store that can last a long time?!

[Ramboa]

You've got me second guessing myself now.

I've got a heat pad underneath the water bowl in the tank I use for my snake. The heat pad is entirely 100% waterproof, so that isn't a danger. However, about an inch and a half stick out around all 4 sides of the water bowl. It isn't so hot the snake would burn from it, so I never have worried before, the main reason I have it in there is for the heat value, and also it helps the water to evaporate faster, thus keeping it humid. Right now here in Alaska it is very dry, I couldn't keep that cage moist enough until I placed the heat pad in there with the water bowl on top.

Anyway, the heat pad is probably about 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the snake can either choose to lay part of his body on it, or not... nothing wrong with that, is there?

[BoaLover2]

depends the snake can't regulate thier temp. like we can. they are cold blooded and try to absorb heat from their surronding area. if the pad is a 100 degrees then it might... small chance... burn the snake or over heat the snake becaus eit won't relize it is to hot untill... it is tso hot then you ve gort a problem. if you want humidity take a spray bottle and spray on the hot area and it ewill evaporate and create humidity. just a question... how often does your snake bathe in the bowl?


Aaron :P

[Ramboa]

She bathes about every week, usually she just sticks her head over the water dish and looks around a while. Once a week she will get in and sit there for an hour or so, and normally take a healthy crap, which makes it easy to keep her cage clean ;D

[BoaLover2]

sounds like one of mine :P :P :P :P :P anyways the water should feel a little warmer than room air if you stick your hand in it. if it is hot take the pad off. if it is a tad warmer than room temp your ok. that's my say if anyone else knows better than say it. i am only a newbie (10 months) to snakes>!<