Feeding

[rico]

Sorry if i posted in the wrong place.

I think soon i am going to start feeding my red tail in its viv...i was just wondering the best way to do this (i have another boa in the same viv).

Here are the things that ive been thinking about...i might have missed something i could do with knowing:-/

1. The substrate/compaction issue - do i cover the substrate with something? if so do i have to move all the hides logs plants etc..that kinda thing

2. Not getting the boa used to thinking something going in the viv is always food

3. And the fact that when i start feeding my other boa in the viv(Mexican) i could have problems with the fact that she only seems to eat when the mouse is dangled above her, and she gets the head in her mouth...otherwise i can leave her there for hours and she still wont eat the mice

Also i have noticed my Mexican boa has a very very very strong predator instinct...when i dangle the mouse over her ready for her to strike...sometimes she ignores is and shows...a disturbing interest in my hand^^

I have only had my snakes for coming up to 1 year so i still have loads to learn, and so need lots of help and advice ;D

I want to be the best i can when it comes to keeping my snakes so any help would be greatly appreciated

[rico]

Also since my bigger boa has been on small rats when i get them they have small bits of what look like the rats bedding when it was caged before...'snuffing it'. Just wondered if anyone else has the same thing and what they do about it...i normally wash it off...but it leaves the rat wet

[John Pilling]

Sorry for not replying sooner.

I would start feeding in the viv, but i would seperate the boa's first (maybe seperate viv's?).
As to the compaction issue i don't worry 2 much about it with mine as they both strike feed, and usually take the rat in their water bowl or over a hide (you can stear them that way with the rat once the snake has struck, just be gentle as not to damage teeth). If they don't strike feed then just leave the rat on a hide for them to pick ff when it's ready.

Feeding 2 in the same viv is really a bd idea as boa's have such an appitite 1 will end up eating the other.

Yeah i know what you mean about the bedding for rats and mice, lol i just pick off what i can. wait till your boa's are on large or x-large rats and theirs a lot of poo attached to them aswell as bedding, can't get it off when frozen and messy when defrosted, lol.

[rico]

Thanks a lot for that and dont wory about not answering earlier u must be incredibly busy running a forum with so many users, and then things outside of that especially at this time of year.

As for feeding 2 in teh same viv the mexican is only about 3-3 1/2 feet atm so i will still feed outside the viv for a while...but when its bigger i am gonna have to sort somethign safer out then 2 in 1 viv at feeding times.

Thanks again

[John Pilling]

Your 2 far away from me to grab a bargain (my bro's a joiner and can get me cheap wood, even some large off cuts).

If i were you i would consider building/buying a viv similar to this as it's a good viv and will suit a 6foot boa, but anything bigger needs a 6, or even an 8 foot viv. The 2 viv bank pictured is 48 by 24 by 24 and can be bought from www.vivbuilder.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=DS9