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mamaheff
Snake mite
USA
4 Posts |
 Posted - 27/07/2011 : 20:12:26
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I have a 2011 Columbian rainbow boa female that escaped the 1st day we had her several weeks ago, she returned miraculously last night, came right in the front door! Our kittens found her, they were playfully batting at her and she nipped them to defend herself, but was not physically harmed. She looks thin, and seemed a little on the weak side, she's moving around fine in her cage, and responds well to me holding her, but she has not eaten. How long should I wait before becoming concerned that she's not eating?
I also have a 2011 male, from what I've read it's best to house them separately...is it possible that they can be housed together if started together at a young age, or will they have problems with feeding if housed together?
Thank You for any responses! |
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gmac
Grumpy Scots Admin
United Kingdom
710 Posts |
Posted - 27/07/2011 : 21:38:04
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Hi and welcome to the forum
As she is just back home, I wouldnt worry about her not feeding right away she is likely stressed out a bit. I would offer in a few days to a week, to let her settle in first, a suitable prey item. Also may be worth getting a vet to do a fecal test to see if she has picked up any parasites during her time away.
As for cohabbing, I wouldnt be housing 2 snakes together at such a young age, Snakes cant tell when they are sexually mature and will likely try breeding earlier than is safe for the female. Housing separately is the best option here. Cohabbing may also lead to stressing out either or both of the snakes so you would need a separate housing ready just incase, and if there is a separate housing ready for them i would be inclined to house them separately anyways. |
GMac
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Zer0Sanguine
Snake mite
USA
42 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2011 : 18:12:14
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| WOW and I thought I got lucky!! I'm glad she's back home at least there's that, I hope she starts eating soon keep us posted. |
1.0 BRB (Alucard) |
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mamaheff
Snake mite
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2011 : 04:13:40
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| Thanks for the responses! I hadn't thought about chance of parasites...that is good advice, I appreciate it. We are sooooo happy to have her back! Since she escaped on the 1st day we had her, I named her Mia (missing in action) with the hopes we'd find her in the drop ceiling or something, never expected her to come in the front door! She hasn't eaten yet, but is moving around her enclosure well, and responding well to being handled, maybe she found live prey while out and about, and is not hungry...or just not happy about being captive again...we're going to set up a 40 gallon tank for her with branches and stuff to climb on, maybe that will cheer her up :) |
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CDN_Blood
Rainbow oddball
Canada
489 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2011 : 13:57:19
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quote:
Originally posted by mamaheff
...we're going to set up a 40 gallon tank for her with branches and stuff to climb on...
I'd feel better I saw something like "with a secure, escape-proof lid" or something in there. If affects all reptile keepers in one's given area when something gets loose, and that never ends well because the media will most definitely sensationalize it if they get a whiff of it  |
TODD
25 Years of Commitment and Responsibility in Private Herpetoculture |
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mamaheff
Snake mite
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 31/07/2011 : 16:37:30
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| Oh the enclosure has a lid with clips that lock it in place, and a spot to attach a lock, so you don't need to worry for yourself anymore, there will be no stories making their way to Canada about an escaped snake in New England, USA barely much bigger than a pencil...I've seen the shows on Animal Planet about people who intentionally let their reptiles go, or news stories about snakes that ate babies....this one won't even eat a pinky mouse, when she escaped we were more worried for her that she'd get eaten, or starve, or die of dehydration, we don't know how long she was up in the insulation in the ceiling...oh and in addition we told no-one about her, so there wouldn't have been a story in the media |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 00:01:36
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Mamaheff, congrats on the returned pet! Snakes can go many weeks, even months, without eating and still be fine, so a delay of five to seven days to let her settle in will absolutely not hurt her. As for housing, it is always best to keep separately unless breeding. I would agree with the fecal test, as it is better to catch any problems sooner rather than later.
Good luck, |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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mamaheff
Snake mite
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2011 : 13:28:07
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Thanks for all the replies, she still hasn't eaten, but is drinking, and moving around the enclosure well, she responds well to being handled...
Our male is eating well, and just shed for the 1st time! Soooooo smooth and shiny :) |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2011 : 20:24:25
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| Glad to hear all is well. Out of curiosity, did you run the fecal, and what/when was she offered in terms of food? |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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lost and found! now not eating
