(I didn't want anyone reading this {HH} to think I advocate ignoring hissing signs :P)



Dang, I feel like Bad Bart. Ha! Ha! Nah, I know what you mean, Laura.



Audio signs are usually a bit easier to read/interpret than visual signs, but you've done well in noticing & distinguishing between the different hisses. You also mention some visual signs, signs that I'll refer to as: evident visual signs. And I don't mean that in a degrading way, not at all.



Burms, boas and corns. They're all different, they each have their own style, their own body language. But yet, their body language is actually all the same. What I mean is, even though they each have different body language, the cause, effect, and remedy remains the same throughout. They each require our interpretation and quick (or not so quick) reaction.



I suspect that any difficulties you may have interpreting your boa's body language and your ability to deal with it stems from fear. Just like how dogs can detect fear in humans, and how they react to it, snakes (and nearly all animals) do the same. A confident, but yet respectful, approach is vital in building a trusting relationship with our captives. If we're fearful, we're unsure. And animals know it, they can sense it. We have to deal with our fear, first.



Put on the sweatshirt, winter jacket, leather chaps, welding gloves, fencing helmet. Handle your wary captive without fear of getting bit. Support it's body, make it feel secure & comfortable. Do not grasp it, restrain it, in any way, shape, form or fashion. Confidently make the snake confident that it is in good hands.



Always keep in mind what represents a predator, or a predator's actions, to snakes. Reaching towards the head from in front, above, or directly from the side is a no-no. I say that more for the readers in the background than I do for you, Laura, because I know that you're aware of that already.



What's the difference between taming a 3ft corn snake and taming a 7ft boa or 27ft python? Mainly, guts, confidence. The basic procedures are the same. Of course, one should definitely take more precautions with larger boids to avoid becoming another statistic, but, the basic procedures remain the same.



On another note - you made a good point about "walking around" with our reptiles. It should NOT be done in general public places, places where people wouldn't normally encounter them. The original post in this thread mentioned keepers walking around "...reptile expos and other events...". I hope that "other events" are reptile related and not the local park or Wal-Mart shopping center.



Incidentally, my wife came home from town about a week ago & said there was a young couple sitting on the bench right beside the main doorway of our local Wal-Mart with about a 3ft kingsnake. Dang! Just goes to show that even way out here in the boonies where I live you can find just about anything at Wal-Mart. People never cease to amaze me.





Is he destined to just be a "on-the-ground" snake?



For the most part, that depends on any snake's owner. Is your boa destined to be an "on-the-ground" snake? No. You'll get it figured out. I've got confidence in you.



Hang in there!

Mike
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,

this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:

Appalachian American





www.natures-signature.com

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