So I just noticed my red tail boa sitting on one of his perches and he was just flicking his tail back and forth every few seconds. He’s been doing it for like 10 minutes; he just ate yesterday so is he trying to lure prey or something?
4 Likes
It sounds like it might be caudal luring, but I don’t know if boas are known for that.
5 Likes
Yeah I’ve read about that but I’ve never seen him do it before 
2 Likes
@lumpy may be of help!
Unsure if his boas have done this before, quite fascinating to know!
3 Likes
I personally have not heard of this happening in boas. But I will say I see Willow do something similar when she is nervous about being picked up. I never saw it in Kai, he was a vocal. To me, it sounds like the snake is stressed. Also you said that you fed yesterday, how big/old is the boa and what did he eat? If you could include a picture of your setup with your parameters ( humidity, hot side temp, hot spot temp, cool side temp )?
5 Likes
Well I’m not actually sure how old he is but he was 82 grams when I got him in March of 2020. He currently weighs 315g and eats one fuzzy rat weekly. I can’t post a pic right now but the warm side temp is 88 and the cool side is 78; humidity is 55 or so usually but its at 70% since he’s about to go into blue. He’s on cocohusk and has many grapevine perches and a hide on each side of his 40 gallon.
3 Likes
I’m not really noticing an issue with anything besides the reason 40 gallon glass. But that shouldn’t be contributing anything that would make him like that. It is possible he is stressed, but seeing that he is an older animal, he’s probably more confident.
She in my case with Willow, she weighs 153 grams.
I will tag some others that keep/breed boas and maybe they will have more insight.
@randall_turner_jr @flrt-dennis @mattcookreptiles @tommccarthy
4 Likes
Yeah he seems pretty confident; he doesn’t seem insecure and is sitting on his perches a lot. He uses his hides but not too much.
2 Likes
Do you heat with a lamp, or a UTH? Have you checked it with a temp gun? My 5 1/2 foot boa loves to climb but he still will use his hides.
2 Likes
I use a heat lamp and yeah I check the temps with a temp gun. I mean, he uses his hides he just seems to prefer to climb.
2 Likes
Is it only doing it when it knows you’re watching? My biggest boa does the sassy wag when she wants me to leave her alone or if I try to pick her up.
4 Likes
Well I noticed him doing it but I was on the other side of the room. He stopped finally but even when I peeked in the door to the room he was still doing it. He can be quite defensive, he will his very loudly when he’s in his enclosure and he doesn’t wanna be messed with but once out he’s really sweet.
4 Likes
That was my original thought too.
3 Likes
I don’t think anything is wrong. Most likely an attitude thing like mentioned.
5 Likes
Ok good 
5 Likes
Lol I am happy too!
Boas can personalities
5 Likes
Thanks for the advice though 
4 Likes
Definitely caudal luring. My boa did it all the time.
3 Likes
Was he a red tail too?
1 Like
He or she i mean lol
1 Like