| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Nathair2012 |
Posted - 26/06/2012 : 21:21:29
Hi all. I only just posted on here recently about my Boas inactive behaviour. I put the temp down to 88 but it hasn't made a difference to her inactivness. Also, tonight we went to take her out of her usual hiding place and she started to squeak and maybe hissed? She shyd away from being handled. Do you think it's possible for her to shed again considering she only shed on the 9th of last month? Her eyes look slightly milky too.
This snake keeping is hard work!! Paranoid that we're doing it all wrong :\ |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 06/07/2012 : 01:04:50
What she ^^^ said. :D |
| IncurableFlirt |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 18:38:33
:) I am so very happy that you found this site and are now able to provide the best possible care for your RB. :) It is wonderful to hear a new RB owner so happy with their boa. Major congrats on your new friend....may she be with you for many good, long years. ;) |
| Nathair2012 |
Posted - 04/07/2012 : 18:08:41
I know I keep saying thanks but I can't help it!! :D so happy with her now :) x |
| Nathair2012 |
Posted - 04/07/2012 : 07:39:20
Thabks again! Couldn't have done it without your help and advice :) |
| MrBD1980 |
Posted - 04/07/2012 : 06:57:57
Sounds like a great step forward. I often get a ssshhhh noise when I disturb mine for a quick handling, she is a tempremental little bugger when she chooses to be. |
| IncurableFlirt |
Posted - 04/07/2012 : 03:27:36
Awesome news! :) I agree with Snakesitter, these are great signs that your boa is doing 100% better. Great job! |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 04/07/2012 : 00:40:36
Woot glad to hear all is looking up. The "shhh" may have been a soft hiss, hard to say. Good shed + good feed = great signs! |
| Nathair2012 |
Posted - 02/07/2012 : 21:48:18
Well our little one had no problems feeding tonight so we're really pleased. She seems much more active also. Think we're on the right track. Thanks again for all your advice Incurable, Snakesitter and Blackcat :) Forever grateful :) x |
| IncurableFlirt |
Posted - 02/07/2012 : 02:12:47
That is wonderful news! :) The broken shed isn't a bad thing, just a sign that she had not been getting enough moisture. You probably saved her from having the worst shed ever by bumping her humidity just in time. ;) I am so happy to hear that she is doing a lot better now, congrats! Nothing to worry about with the shed, so long as she got it off her eyes and the tip of her tail. As far as the shhh noises, I'd just keep watching her, but more than likely she is just fine now and re-adjusting to having the proper amount of moisture and a lower (and better for her) temp. ;) Best of luck, keep us informed! |
| Nathair2012 |
Posted - 01/07/2012 : 19:51:43
Would like to let you all know that Arco-Iris shed last night!!!! I picked her up today and there was no squeaking at all!! She looks STUNNING!! Hopefully she's on the mend now. she seemed quite happy when we got her out. Really active and 'seemed' happy!! She did make some 'shhhh' noises but I'm presuming that's normal? She did shed in one really long piece then two smaller pieces. I know it's better to shed in one full piece but there was no residue on her eyes or anything?
Thank you all for your invaluable info. We really couldn't have done this without your advice and help. Thank you thank you thank you!! : ) xxxxxxx |
| Nathair2012 |
Posted - 29/06/2012 : 13:33:01
Thank you so much. Think I needed a bit of positivity. :\ I got the humidity up to 89% before I left for work this morning so I'm hoping we'll see some improvement soon. I'll deffo keep an eye out for mucus or bubbles around her mouth. Really hope she doesn't have an RI. I would be devastated :( Don't think I'll be going back to that shop in a hurry tho :\ All of your advice has been of so much use to me. Without you guys on this forum Arco-Iris would be in a much worse state. I cannot thank you enough for all of your help! :) x x |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 29/06/2012 : 00:56:19
Incurable, well done! Nathair, as she said, not your fault, and you seem to be on top of it all now. If you are showing 82% humidity for the full cage, you are probably right on track, as the humid hide should be another 10% over that. Spray morning and night til she sheds, just to make sure, and keep her water bowl full. Fingers crossed for you! |
| IncurableFlirt |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 22:21:41
The squeaking could possibly be that she's in her cycle and the skin in her nose is tight and uncomfortable. It could also be the onset of a RI, so I would keep on top of it. Watch her closely, if you notice any sort of mucous coming from her nose/mouth or if she starts blowing mucous bubbles....best to get her in to the vet asap. I'm not saying that she has an RI...only that it could be possible, so just watch her and be aware. :) 82% humidity is still pretty low, though, so I'd try to get it up a bit more. At 4 hours in, it should be giving a pretty accurate reading already. ;) Mist with water if you have to....88+% (Snakesitter suggests even higher, so maybe even 89, 90). I think you'll see definite improvement in her demeanor and everything. You certainly have a better handle on her care now, so major kudos to you! :) |
| Nathair2012 |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 22:02:31
Thank you so much. We spoke to the shop again today and they said their temps are what they've always kept their rainbow bo
as at but quite clearly she doesn't like it. We went and got a hygrometer this evening. It's currently at 82 but it's only been in there about 4 hours. I haven't tried to handle her tonight because I don't want to stress her out. I'll check on her tomorrow and make sure she's ok. The temp is currently at 83. Hopefully this will solve the issues. It's mainly the squeaking thats freaking me out :\ it sounds like a mouse. I was afraid that I was hurting her :(
I'm so glad I signed up for this site. It really puts my mind at ease and I really have got some invaluable and priceless information. Thank you all so much :) |
| IncurableFlirt |
Posted - 28/06/2012 : 17:38:57
Don't beat yourself up too much, Nathair. Unfortunately, most shops (even reputable ones) don't know at all how to care for Rainbow boas. They figure they are just like any other boa and can only go off of the info that they receive from their providers....who also know nothing when it comes to taking care of Rainbows. A good, caring, responsible pet owner never goes off of what just one person (or group of persons like in a pet store) say about care for an animal. They go and get all of the information they possibly can and make the best decision based off of what a whole bunch of people are saying. :) You have already done this by joining this site and learning from some of the best Rainbow breeders/keepers out there. By learning what can harm/help your boa, you are taking a step in the right direction!
Your boa should be fine, so long as you correct the too high temp and the humidity. No matter what that employee said, humidity is one of the most important things you must monitor when caring for a Rainbow. Even though you don't have a hygrometer at present, you can still keep your snake in a high humidity environment by misting with a spray bottle. May I ask what sort of substrate you are keeping your little one on? If you're using aspen, I'd get rid of that....as this wood sucks humidity out of the air, doesn't hold it well and it will defeat your purpose. If you can't go get some orchid bark, cypress mulch or even ground coconut husk (cypress or orchid are best, though, IMHO), then I would suggest keeping your boa on paper towels until you can. Having the moist moss hide will definitely help, too (use Sphagnum moss). With the right humidity, your Rainbow should have no trouble shedding. :) Just remember, the higher the humidity at this point, the better...because it is very likely that your Rainbow has not had the correct humidity for a while and really does need it.
Just know that you are doing the best you can and with the right info, you are well on your way to having a healthy, happy boa. ;) |
