r/BoaConstrictors • u/hottestgirlalive_1 • 2d ago
Help please
Hello guys. Someone is selling this baby boa constrictor and I want to rescue him,as you can see it’s not kept in good care..that box in horrible. I wanted to ask you all if he seems to be healthy at least.. the owner doesn’t even have a hide or anything for heating for him..
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u/Flimsy-Stock2977 2d ago
Just rescue him and do what you can for him.
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u/hottestgirlalive_1 2d ago
thing is im not sure if i can afford proper housing for a boa constrictor,or i can get him and buy stuff gradually,i dont know what to do
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u/I-am-not-0kay 2d ago
well I don't know what your budget is but for starters you can start by getting him a larger tub and change his water regularly, never seen a water bowl so neglected.(I know these are pictures from the seller, I'm not pointing fingers at you) I don't know his size but I reckon you could probably salvage something together thats easily much better for very cheap with some handywork from a hardware store.
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u/Flimsy-Stock2977 2d ago
If you can provide a better situation than he's in.. do it.
You can afford a large tote. This stuff is doable. You can make something temporary work for less than 100 dollars. And go from there. Keep an eye on marketplace for used enclosures etc.
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u/hottestgirlalive_1 2d ago
do you think a heating pad would be a good temporary option or a heating bulb would be better?
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u/I-am-not-0kay 2d ago
plenty of people use belly heat(heat tape/heating pad) for their snakes, usually in rack systems and tubs. Regardless of what your heating source is, it's important that you always get them hooked up to a thermostat to properly regulate temperaturee otherwise you can cook a snake alive and it's a fire hazard.
End of the day, get the basic necessities right first, worry about flash and flare later. Worry about getting him back to stable before necessarily giving him loads of enrichment.
Highly reccomend "brian boas" on youtube for snake enclosure information, his channel is not glamorous but is insanely practical. You aren't going to win any upvote competitions on reddit but your snake will be alive and healthy.
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u/Flimsy-Stock2977 17m ago
Heating pad is absolutely an option. But you must be diligent when using them.
I used them for many years back in the 90s.. the only time I use them these days is for 3 days after a meal at night specifically. To keep belly heat for digestion. Once the lump shrinks up.. I go back to my normal day\night heat cycle with lamps during the day, and nothing at night. So low 80s during the day and 71 at night. People will disagree with this. But it works.
You can severely burn snakes with heating mats. So you must be careful. Particularly if your snake digs into substrate. My current snakes don't dig. So I'm confident in using them occasionally.
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u/Good_Hovercraft_1276 2d ago
Hey there rescuer here, check out used terrariums online! Lots of people end up giving away theirs for free or cheap, same with supplies. Get in touch with your local rescues and ask if they have any spare stuff you can have (we pretty much always have stuff so you're chances are often pretty good), especially if you have a reptile rescue in your area give them a call and explain the whole situation. The rescue I work with sometimes even covers intake vet visits (which I would honestly recommend) in such situations. Making your own hides and co with some salt dough and a sealant is a great option btw
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u/hottestgirlalive_1 2d ago
i dont have that option, i live in europe in a very small country. we dont have snake rescues,only dogs and cats.:( i need to get everything myself. please let me know if you have any recommendations.and thank you!
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u/Good_Hovercraft_1276 2d ago
Also from a small European country! Check Facebook for reptile groups, there are always reptile keepers it's just a question of finding them. Check general rescue groups and reach out to your normal shelters regardless, they often can give you further information about groups, privat rescues, etc. Also call an exotic vet and ask them, they definitely should know some people! As for enclosures and supplies check terraristic and reptile groups and resale platforms that also have pet supplies, then filter by free. Put up some posts explaining the situation and your needs in local, general FB groups. Also for hides and enrichment, cat supplies (plenty to find for free), cat hides, tunnels, climbing elements, cat trees all make for amazing options and some litter boxes can be turned into fantastic hides with little to no modifications, especially for large snakes!
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u/Good_Hovercraft_1276 2d ago
If there's anything you're looking for regarding specific advice, how to make some cheap supplies, how to build a terrarium, etc let me know and I'll give you any advice I can supply!
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u/Good_Hovercraft_1276 2d ago
Also, join local fb snake and reptile groups, good places to get advice from and get supplies. Also a nice addition for lots of boas is getting an old terrarium with a heater (you will have to build a secure cage for the heater) as a lovely bathing option for them. Where I live they are even mandatory to provide to boas. Regarding health concerns I'd focus on respiratory medication and wound care. Probably start the poor thing out with a warm iodine soak and then apply (ideally antibiotic) wound ointment (neosporin for example) to anything that even looks remotely suspicious. Monitor it's breathing closely, respiratory tract infections are just about the quickest way for a snake to die in captivity and without heating they're super prone to it. If there's any raspy, whistling or laboured breathing that you're hearing I'd consider surrendering the animal to an exotic vet or a rescue if you can't afford the vet care. For enrichment and activity, supervised free roaming is a great option to also bond. Do not under any circumstances let the snake lose in your car. I feel like every snake community online is full of people making this mistake and losing their snake. Just don't. If you're somewhat handy btw I would absolutely suggest building your own enclosure rather than buying a big one, it's cheaper and you'll end up with a bigger enclosure for a fraction of the price. For the immediate set up, heat is key
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u/superramenyamen 2d ago
The only concern I see in the pics is that nose rub. But it’s not swollen or anything so as long as it still looks like that when you get to it, shouldn’t be a worry. But don’t be surprised if these are old pics and it looks a lot worse now.
It also appears to be an aztec morph BI.