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Reptiles & Amphibians

Strange Snake Behavior

12 years ago

I have a red-tail boa that is 5-6 years old. He's always been very healthy with a good appetite and regular sheddings and a normal rate of growth. However, his behavior changed after the last time I fed him and I'm concerned. I'm hoping maybe somebody here can help me identify the problem.

First of all, he normally sheds not too long after eating (around a week after), but it's been more than two weeks since he last ate and he has not shed, even though his skin is dry and looks like he needs to.

Second, he began hissing. Not at anything in his environment, but just randomly. Along with the hissing, he has been stretching his jaws a great deal.

And last, he is very lethargic. Even though it is warm here and regardless of whether he's under his heating lamp or not, he appears to have almost no energy. He also usually indicates that he is hungry about every two weeks (sometimes less). It's been almost three weeks and he's still not asking for food.

I have recently thoroughly cleaned his home to make certain there were no reptile mites and I did not find any.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

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Comments (3)

User
12 years ago
Not really the appropriate forum for this, but it sounds like he has a respiratory infection. The "hissing" you are hearing is him wheezing. Generally just give access to heat (~90ÃÂ°F) at one end of the cage will help clear this up if it is minor, but it might take veterinary intervention if it is more serious.
Also, your heat source should be coming from below (a thermostatically controlled heat pad) not above by a lamp. Boas don't bask in sunlight in the wild.
Try the boa forum at Kingsnake.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Boa Forum
Sharon McKenzie
12 years ago
I will second what FHFchrish already said; your snake has a respiratory infection. That "random hissing" is the sound of mucous clogging his airway, and that opening his mouth is him gasping for air, probably because his nose is clogged. Raising the temp and the humidity in his cage MIGHT help, but at this point, it really sounds like you need to take him to see a vet, ASAP.
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Redfeather54
11 years ago
Guys are right. Respiratory infection. Need to get him to a Herp vet or he will not be with you much longer. Do you keep his enclosure warm enough? You should have a thermometer in there. Also an UVB light bulb. Cleaning his enclosure once a month. Food bowls, and water dishes etc should be sterilized one a week. Place a couple cap fulls into hot water and let them soak. Makr sure after to wash them with dish soap and water. After I soak my items, I then run them threw the dishwasher.

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