Loose skin

[eric]

I've been actively reading this forum for the past two months. I have learned more here than by reading any books. I have been concerned about my boa for the past two months. He is approximately 15 months old. He eats aggressively and fecal samples have come back negative. I am concerned because when I purchased him (through a local pet store) he was full-bodied and firm. Recently his skin seems loose. (almost like an overweight person who loses weight quickly. The temp in my vision cage is 93 degrees on the hot side and 80 degrees on the cool side with the humidity at around 60%. His weight is increasing but he always feels soft as though the skin is just hanging on him like a suit that is too large. I tried the dehydration test but that wasn't the problem. He passes urates on a regular basis and is pretty active. He looks firm and healthy until I pick him up. That is the only time I notice the loose skin. I hope I have provided enough info for someone to help. Is this normal for a growing boa. He sheds regularly too, once every 4-5 weeks. I'm not certain of the age but he is around 4 feet long now.

[oOSpOOkYOo]

There were some pics to go along with someone else's description like this, the name of the post was "saggy baggy boa", I think. I kinda noticed the same thing about my boa too, she's <8 months old and just topping 4 feet and eating large rats, but around her face and chin its very saggy and wasnt like this when I first got her, but I have noticed that it tightens up after sheds and begins to relax just before sheds. I think it's just the way some boas grow, their skin grows, they grow, etc. As long as the snakes muscles and such dont feel weak and your not seeing any fluid filled, puss or blood, scales- then you should be fine. You just joined the saggy baggy boa club!. -sTEVE

[eric]

Thanks for the info Steve. I guess I won't worry about it now. It is great to be able to ask questions and get answers because there are so many topics that are not covered in books. Thanks again.

[Fonzy]

Going with what Steve said, my boa gets real saggy/wrinkled skin around his neck and head right before he sheds. Once he finishes shedding, everything is back to normal. Try and see if he sheds shortly after you notice him getting baggy and saggy. If he is always baggy and saggy, then you might have a problem, but if it goes back to normal, I would say you don't have much to worry about.

[probe7899]

I asked a friend of mine who has kept snakes longer than me so I figured maybe he had an idea. He said it usually happens when the snake is not eating enought or is dehydrated. Also good not be getting enough exercise.
Brian

[oOSpOOkYOo]

I think it's just the boas genetics, you have fat people and skinny people, firm people, and saggy people, lol, my boa is the same way, as well as many others i've seen, and it's no big deal. -sTEVE

[HerperCCC]

I wouldn't worry about the loose skin. It seems like your boa is getting proper care. I have seen this occasionally with my boas as well. But it is very pronounced in my sub-adult Burmese. These guys can get so "loose" before a shed (especially after a good feed) that they look like a dog with big saggy jowls! It's pretty funny looking. Keep up the good care of your boa and I'm sure it will be just fine!

[Doug]

HI,
all my boa's have this irregular growth where the skin out grows the boa and then they catch up.
Just be sure to increase the food size when its the right time, many boa owner are affraid to make the jump to just weined and so on. If its a BCI they can handle a slightly larger meal. My BCI have doen very well with increasing food items gradually.. It really helps that growth phase that can occur that first year.
Doug

[Blackwidow69]

:)My big heavey female gets real loose skin around the throat -neck area about a week befour she sheds. You should see how loose it is after she eats a large rabbit..hehehe!! Also my Argentine cross does the same befour a shed...

[eric]

Thanks for all the response to my concern. I told my wife that we won't worry about it anymore unless he displays signs of illness. He seems perfectly healthy so I will continue with the regular feeding cycle. His weight has doubled in the past 4 months and is very active so I guess all is well.