iHerp Answers: My sand boa doesn't really constrict? Is this normal?

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My sand boa doesn't really constrict? Is this normal?

Posted By:

ShutUpAndSmile

In Relation To:

Apollyon [AC-SB-M-711]

So I was just kinda curious... when I feed my snake he doesn't do it like I assumed he would like attacking it and contracting it then starting to eat it. I feed him f/t pinkies and kinda just puts the head in his mouth and then eventually wraps around it when he needs to push it in more. Is this weird? Or is it normal? I'm new to all this snake stuff and I've kinda just been wondering about this.


Points:	50
Topics:	General Health , Feeding
Tags:	Constrict, Eating, Pinkies, Sandboas
Species:	Boas > Small Boas > Gongylophis colubrinus
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Author Comment

9/16/2011 12:15:22 PM

ShutUpAndSmile

Dang spelling changer on ipad. *constricting

Accepted Answer

9/16/2011 1:31:57 PM

Kovol445

I also have a sand boa and by no means an experts with them and mine does the same thing. I don't know if it is normal or not but shes getting big and since i feed f/t also i don't worry about it. I think when most people think boa they automatically assume it constricts like many other boas that are commonly seen. i say it is normal as long as she poops and sheds regularly she is fine i think they just don't know how to constrict. lol

Author Comment

9/16/2011 2:33:19 PM

ShutUpAndSmile

Lol I was just curious if my male was just like defected with his lacking the ability to kill. But as long as he's not alone I feel better haha

Assisted Answer

9/16/2011 3:49:41 PM

Sassinator

Is the prey frozen/thawed or pre-killed? If so he is probably far better then defective, he is probably smart enough to realize it is already dead and doesn't need to constrict it.

Author Comment

9/16/2011 3:55:14 PM

ShutUpAndSmile

Lol it's frozen/thawed. So your saying I got a little smarty pants on my hands? Haha that's even better xP

Member Comment

9/16/2011 4:19:13 PM

hp0544

When mine was smaller or as small he would constrict and then he started to show off and would eat pinks alive without consticting. Thats when I had to go to fuzzies and now he is on hoppers. Occasionaly he will bite then drag, as soon as he realizes that it's trying to get away he then constricts. I like to move the prey around by it's tall after he strikes, it tends to make him consrict and/or tighten up

Author Comment

9/16/2011 4:45:20 PM

ShutUpAndSmile

Lol I tried feeding live when I first got him, he was uninterested. He doesn't even strike. He just opens his mouth. Is he full grown eating hoppers? -curious-

Member Comment

9/16/2011 7:33:41 PM

hp0544

When he grabs f/t or live try wiggling or lifting up by the preys tail and see if he feels the urge to constrict. If you are feeding him p/k or f/t and he doesnt constrict so be it as long as he is eating. Maybe that would change as he gets older.

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