Boa Problem

[BigSam]

Hey guys I think I have a boa problem....
My female boa everytime I hold her she gets a bump under her head towards the back of her throat then it stays there for like 3 seconds then all of sudden it goes away then a bunch of air goes through her nose making a kissing sound. What could this be?

Sam,

 

[Crotalus]

What could this be?

A signal she doesnt like to be handled. Leave her in the terrarium, snakes are not kittens... ;-)

/Lelle

 

[Elizabeth]

Seriously, the boa is doing that on purpose?!?

 

[BigSam]

I was thinking more like a resportary infection? But she doesn't seem mad, angry or aggresive when I'm holding her? So I don't know.......

Sam,

 

[Crotalus]

I was thinking more like a resportary infection? But she doesn't seem mad, angry or aggresive when I'm holding her? So I don't know.......

Sam,

I do think it sounds on your first post that shes annoyed, but to be on safe side check if theres mucus bubbling out of her nostrils and/or a wheezing sound when she breaths. If thats the case she probably have a infection.

/Lelle

 

[chris73]

I'm with Crotalus on this. It definately sounds like a warning for you especially if the animal is not making this noise in it's enclosure. Unless it's a wild caught animal, Columbian Boa Constrictors (and all the morphs and sub species) are generally open to some gentle handling. Check your set up. Make sure your temps are right on and that you have a proper hide spot for the animal. Also check your enclosure size is adaquate. If these are not where they should be the animal could be stressed and therefore easily irritated when you are handling. (I'm assuming you've had the animal for a while and it's not just settling in) Lastly, she may be about to shed and just grumpy. I have a Ball Python that will hiss when you are near it's enclosure if he's near a shed.

Hope this helped.

 

[Bigboy]

My two cents

I work with reptiles and other creepy crawlies, I'm guessing that she's justunhappy with being handled, if you could tell us what kind she is, if she's captive or wild caught and how old she is it would help. Sounds like she's just grumpy, however handleing tends to break up mucus with respiratory infections and snakes will "sneeze" more while being handled if they are sick. Like what was said before check her nostrils. If they have any fluid she is sick. If she isn't keeping her mouth closed and u see bubbles she's sick. Crank the ambient temp to 90f and treat her with tetracycline. Other than that be careful, Snake bites are never fun even when the animal isn't even remotely hot.