When you are preparing the food for your red tail boa, you have to consider the health of your pet. Besides, there are certain tips you should know when feeding your pet. For instance, you should ensure that the food contains the necessary nutrients for the health of your pet.
Feeder rodents lack nutrients
There are two types of rodents to feed your snake. They are crows and mice. Both have similar vitamins and minerals. However, a juvenile snake will likely start out on one food, and switch to another as it grows.
One of the first things you should do before attempting to feed your snake is to determine what its nutritional requirements are. Generally, you’ll need to feed them a large to extra-large rat every month, depending on the species.
Fortunately, it’s easy to do. A simple internet search will turn up a list of rodents, a few of which are available for purchase online. If you buy in bulk, you can save a lot of money.
Although mice are a fun treat for a snake, they aren’t necessarily the best choice. While they’re fun for a captive snake, they can become a health risk if you don’t keep a close eye on them.
Compared to a mouse, a worm is far easier to feed. Plus, they’re cheap and easy to digest. You’ll also want to give them a clean water bowl.
The best way to tell if your snake needs a new diet is to monitor their behavior. Some snakes will go on a “hunger strike” and not eat. This is especially true if you keep your pet in a captive setting.
Provide a hot and a cool side to your boa’s enclosure
In order to keep your red tail boa healthy, you need to provide him with an adequate heat source. He needs temperatures of 85 degrees Fahrenheit in his cool side and 95 degrees in his warm side.
The best way to provide him with the proper temperature is by using a thermostat. This is an easy and inexpensive way to control the temperature of your reptile’s enclosure.
You may also want to consider providing him with a humid hide. A humid hide is a cave-like structure that provides your boa with access to moisture.
You can use a hygrometer to measure the humidity in your red tail boa’s enclosure. If the levels are below 70 percent, your pet is likely to become ill.
Providing your red tail boa with a cool and warm side will help him adjust to his new environment. However, it is best to keep your red tail boa’s temperature range between 80 and 85 degrees.
To measure the temperature of your boa’s warm hide, you can use a digital thermometer. Most reptile brand thermometers work well.
Another good way to measure the temperature of your red tail boa’s hot hide is by utilizing an infrared temperature gun. Using an infrared thermometer will allow you to measure the surface temperature of your hide and not the air.
Safety precautions when handling a baby
If you’ve decided to get a baby red tail boa, there are a few precautions you should take to make sure you don’t end up with an injury. These animals are not usually aggressive, but they can still bite if they feel threatened. It’s a good idea to be cautious when handling them, especially if you have small children.
The first thing to do is to keep your hands clean. You can use an antibacterial soap to wash them. Also, make sure that you change your clothes before interacting with your snake.
After you’ve washed your hands, you should wrap them in paper towel. This will help you approach your snake without being too close.
You can also use a hook to pick up your boa. Make sure that you don’t touch its tail. Boas are strong and will constrict around you if they feel threatened.
When handling your red tail boa, make sure you have a large bowl of water. They need clean water to drink and to soak in. You can also put a light bulb above the bowl so that it keeps the humidity up.
The cage you choose for your boa should be large enough to accommodate the animal’s entire body. It should also have a hide box and a couple of low-to-the-ground climbing objects.
