TConcern about rescued dwarf boa, low weight?, low grip strength? unusual behaviour?
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for experienced opinions regarding one of my boas, “Vlad”. I’ll try to keep this clear and structured.
Background:
- Species: Dwarf boa (was told this when I got him)
- Age: approx. 5 years
- Length: ~110 cm
- Owned for: ~2 years
- Feeding: frozen/thawed only (never live)
I rescued Vlad from a previous owner who seemed very neglectful and eager to “get rid” of him. The situation felt urgent, so I took him in along with the vivarium.
Initial condition & behaviour:
- Extremely defensive (striking even through glass)
- Very loud hissing, highly stressed
- Fear response to handling tools (hook)
- Refused food for ~1 month after arrival
Over time, with patience, he became much calmer:
- No longer defensive
- Never bitten me
- Now actively comes out and initiates contact
- Will climb onto my arm voluntarily
Current concern:
I’m worried he may be underweight or not developing properly.
- He gained some weight initially, but hasn’t improved much since
- Compared to my other boa, he feels very light
- His grip strength is noticeably weak
- When coiling, he doesn’t apply much pressure
For comparison:
- My younger boa (~2 years) is significantly stronger and more robust
- Under similar care conditions
Feeding:
- Eats, but not eagerly
- Takes time to strike/engage
- No long-term refusals recently
Environment:
- Standard vivarium setup (currently simple due to financial constraints, but functional)
- Proper temps maintained
- Humidity:
- Seems to prefer lower humidity (50–55%)
- Actively avoids higher humidity zones (even ~70–75%)
- Never uses humid hide
Shedding:
- Always complete sheds (no issues)
Behaviour:
- Very active when enclosure opens, tries to come out frequently
- Doesn’t seem particularly engaged with enrichment or enclosure setup -> never
- Much more “escape-focused” than my other boa
Vet visit (last year):
- Exotic vet said he appeared healthy
- Suggested behaviour could be due to past mistreatment
- No specific concerns identified
Limitations:
- I don’t currently have an accurate weight measurement
- I no longer have vet documentation
My main questions:
Does this sound like an underweight boa, or possibly just a naturally slender individual?
Could past stress/neglect affect long-term muscle development or behaviour like this?
Is low grip strength a red flag, or can it vary significantly between individuals?
Any signs here that would justify prioritising another vet visit?
I care deeply about this animal and want to make sure I’m not missing something subtle.
Any insight would be really appreciated especially from those with experience in dwarf/locality boas or rescues.
Thank you!