How to Tell if Your Boa Constrictor Is Healthy

Enjoying a boa constrictor as a pet is not a small commitment. Boas can grow longer than 8 feet, and many live more than 20 years in captivity. During that time, it's possible even the best-cared-for snake can develop health issues, but observing your snake closely can help you determine whether any issues exist.

  1. Regular Digestion

    • Your boa doesn't need to eat to often; young boas might need food once a week, while mature boas need to be fed a couple of times each month. After feeding your slithery friend, watch for poop in his habitat. He's not likely to defecate often -- sometimes only once or twice a month -- but it should be firm and dark. If it's runny, soft, worse-smelling than normal or a different color than normal, check with your vet. Also, take your boa in for a vet visit if you notice him regurgitating within three to four days of eating. Snakes should process their food efficiently, so if he's throwing up part of his meal, there's likely a digestive issue. These issues can be simple tummy upset to a more serious infection, such as inclusion body disease.

    Healthy Skin

    • Your snake's skin should be smooth and moist, free of lumps, cracks and flakes. Lumps could be anything from an old scar to an abscess to a cancerous tumor, so get them checked by your vet. Cracked or flaking skin between sheddings, or if his skin doesn't shed completely, can signal a problem with parasites, nutrition or humidity. It can also signal a fungal infection that needs to be treated quickly.

    Clean Mouth

    • A healthy boa has a clean mouth. If you open your boa's mouth, which is sometimes accomplished by squeezing gently just behind the crease where the jawbone meets, you should see healthy flesh with no mucus or discoloration. Ask your vet to check his mouth if you're not sure how to open it safely. Boas can bite, although as non-poisonous snakes, it's not their main line of defense. If you notice cheese-like clumps, red spots or a foul odor, get him checked by your vet. This can be a sign of mouth rot, which can erode your snake's gums and cause him to lose teeth. Left untreated, it can lower his immune system and cause him to develop other serious health problems.

    Breathing Easy

    • Your boa constrictor should breathe slowly and evenly, barely making noise as he breathes. Gasping or wheezing can be signs of a respiratory infection, which is common in boas -- especially one who didn't experience sanitary conditions before you adopted him. Respiratory problems can be caused by bacteria or parasites and require prompt medical attention.