Colombian red tail boa

Question
Hello, I purchased a Colombian red tail boa hatchling from a snake show about a month or more ago.. She has not used the bathroom, eaten, or she since I've had her... I've tried f/t, live big small everything. My humidity And temperature Are correct. I just tried  to feed her again, all she wanted to do was climb out and crawl on me. At that, no tounge flicking at all, and her head is a tad bit wobbly.  She has recently become more active than she was. I'm really worried, I've done a lot of research and just need some insight please !!! Thank you, sincerely, Christina.

Answer
Sadly a lot of snakes that are bought at shows have respiratory infections, which would explain her not flicking to smell. Watch her mouth and nose, if she has a lot of slime and bubbles or if you can squish her head and get slime then she has a respiratory and will need to see a vet at the latest tomorrow afternoon. Resp infections can kill a snake in a matter of days and is hard to treat.

Snakes can be touchy animals, make sure she has a hide box and also make sure your enclosure is  not to big. If she is a hatchling she should be in nothing bigger than a 10 gallon tank, I prefer a plastic shoe box though, anything bigger will stress her and actually will not allow the temps to be correct when they reach her. Smaller is always better with snakes.

If she is not sick and if her tank is a 10 gallon then I would just suggest leaving her alone for a week, don't touch her or try to feed her. After that 7 days pick her up and put her in a smaller container with a lid (quickly so you stress her the least amount possible) and place that container in a box, just something she cant see out of.

Put the hopper in there with her ( I would only feed hoppers right now, pre killed or frozen) and leave her alone for 30 minutes or so. If she still refuses to eat wait another week and this time try just feeding her in her tank. You will have to hold the hopper by the tail and sort of dangle it about 3 inches away from the snakes head, leave it there and she should raise up and strike at it.

If after all this she still does not eat you may have to "brain" the hopper or take her to a WELL experienced exotics shop or breeder (not some 18 year old at the local shop or petco) and have them force feed her. If done wrong it can hurt or kill her.