Red tail Boa- Odd behavior

Question
We have had our boa for about two and a half weeks.  We fed him a medium sized live white rat two days after getting him.  His previous owner said she had fed him about every 10 days and only white rats because the black and whites were too cute. We tried to feed him again 10 days later with another medium size rat but this time black and white.  He struck at it but, never tried to eat it.  We waited a few days and tried again.  Same reaction but, this time he also started hissing.  He was obviously very upset.  We noticed his eyes seemed hazy so I thought he was preparing to shed.  His eyes are now clear, he has not shed and is now burrowing into his cage bedding and only moves around to change his position. He is about 3 and half feet long and 2 and a half inches in diameter.  He is in a 30 gallon aquarium with a bowl of water (large enough to lay part of his body in to soak) and a small rock (not a heat rock), he is at room temperature with a heat emitter on top of the cage for extra heat. We are using Eco earth (compressed coconut fiber) for bedding.  I have never had a snake before but, have been studying all that I can and have found nothing to explain what is going on.  Do I need to worry that he hasn't eaten?  Could he be rat color predigest due to his previous owner? Does he just need a little time to shed?  Should he have something in there to help him shed? We mist him daily to help soften the skin. Please help if you can.  I am getting quite concerned and we don't have a reptile vet any where close.

Answer
Hi Kristy,

I have heard people before say that their snakes will only eat one color of prey. Whether it is true is something I have not come across. I would however suggest that you try to feed him a white rat, maybe it will work.. Another thing to be aware of is the size of the prey. It needs to be equal the the mid body girth of your boa. This will ensure he is getting the right nutrients. If you were feeding a prey item to big this could cause him to not want to swallow the rat, and could also explain why he is hissing at it and striking. In any case try the white rat as well as getting a rat equal to your snakes girth.

I hope this helps.
If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me again.

Eric Rovegno