WOW I'm Speachless???

[Charlet_2007]

Ok well my red tails Sabrina and Seth have been eating pre-killed rat pups.. all the pet store had was smallish md rats.. I got them one each.. Well they took them down no problem.. They are in a holding take till i cleaned out there tank for there 2nd round of mite treatment.. Spit Fire wouldn't eat i think because he's about to shed.. Here's what they look like right now lol.. Caption: Ugggghhh I'm going to need a tums for this!!!

[drache]

yup - it's a bulge times two

[olive oil]

Very pretty snakes.
I like how the tails differ a bit from the body.

[guidofatherof5]

Great looking snakes! You should be proud.

[adamanteus]

Medium rats would seem about right for a Boa of that size. Pups are too small a meal.
The little grey one looks desperate for a good meal! Is that one not eating?

[reptile3]

Someone help me.. What am I looking for?

Is it the 2 mating? Very nice looking Boa's

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Natalie, why speechless? I am not at all surprised, in fact that is the size meal that they should be eating at that size... possibly a bit bigger than that yet. the bigger ones look alright, but rat pups are way too small of a meal for boas of that size. From the looks of the picture, as James said... they should be eating medium adult rats... there should be a VERY good sized bulge in them when they are finished eating, and the next day that bulge should still be visible. Rat pups wouldn't even make a dent. Those boas even at that size would most likely be able to eat a large/ XL rat (but don't feed them something THAT big lol) How old are they? By the age of one year they should easily measure four feet in length and be eating large rats. Rat pups are usually only used for brand new born baby boas. The little one I am very concerned for... he is very underweight.... I can see skin sagging in the photos and he looks dehydrated/malnourished... how long has it been since he ate?get something in him quick!!!

If you are keeping them together.... please seriously consider separation... boas are solitary animals and the reason one of them is not eating may very well be due to stress of other snakes around! Put the little guy into a tank that has a bunch of vines and branches for climbing as well as a ton of plant cover. Make sure there's a hide at the bottom but boas would rather climb a tree than hide in a hole. Mist him a few times daily to keep that humidity up.

I HATE to be the bearer of bad news, but I care about the snake's health and happiness before anything else.

[Charlet_2007]

as do i care about their health before anything else.. he just came out of a URI.. this is now the 2 time hes shed for me.. first time gave me a heart attack because he was fine the day before now like that with skin hanging all over.. hes fine that i know of they all 3 had mites.. hes drinking fine just not eating i thought due to shedding his eyes went blue but it has only been 1 day since his eyes turned normal..

the little one is in a different cage then the other 2 big ones.. when i bought Sabrina and Seth the guy that i got them from said they haven't been apart and that they should remain together.. they are a male and female pair..

the curl up together all the time i've tryed keeping them apart but both stop feeding when i do that.. i put them back togather they return to eating like normal..

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I am sorry but I do not believe for a second that snakes become emotionally attatched to one another and I bet if they were separated and provided with equal optimal environments that they would indeed, eat. I gently try to remind folks that we often personify our animals, when in reality they do not share the same bonds and "cuddly" feelings that we do. People tend to apply human feeling and emotion to creatures that simply do not even comprehend that kind of thinking. They do not love us, they do not love one another and they do not become sad or lonely when others are removed, and the only reason they may stop eating for a while is because they have been moved to a changed environment and need some adjusting time, as is a normal event. A male and female boa normally would only meet to mate, then part was and never see one another again. They're not a social species in the least. As with most all snakes except a few such as garters, water snakes and the like, they are totally solitary animals and like corn snakes, rat snakes, king snakes and pythons, should be housed alone unless it is time for breeding. Many people mistake two snakes curling up under the same hide or "snuggling" around the same branch as affection, when in reality, both snakes are simply trying to use the same spot which happens to be the best to suit their needs. Therefore, they constantly are smothering one another competing for the same heat, hiding place, water supply, etc. If you were able to provide a very large room sized enclosure with the exact same things on opposite sides (water supply, climbing and hiding areas, etc) you would likely notice how un-social these creatures really are. Trust me, boas do not snuggle up together on the same branches in the jungle given the choice, they would much rather be left alone.

Garter snakes are actually one of the few snakes out there that actually "hang out" together.

Just please keep in mind that I'm not in any way trying to attack you, but merely stating the facts as to what is best for the animals and not what's best for us as keepers. Sometimes, housing separately means less snakes in more space, but it's what's best for all involved. I know a lot of people want to cohab simply so they can keep more, but it's not really worth annoying the snakes or sacrificing their need to be solitary for.

[Stefan-A]

I couldn't agree more, Shannon.