So my Dumerils Boa did not have her usual perfect shed. She had some leftover skin starting just behind her eyes and going down her neck 6-8 inches. So I got a warm damp cloth, pulled her out of her house, set her down beside me and covered the un-shed area with the cloth. leaving just her eyes and nose clear. After about ten minutes I decided to stroke the dry skin with the damp cloth to see if I could help the process along. Problem is I'd have to start at her head and stroke toward her neck. I've read here a number of times that Boas don't like their heads touched and my boa is over five feet...big enough to give a nasty bite.
So gingerly I started stroking with the cloth around my finger, figuring the fabric would give a little protection. Well much to my amazement she didn't mind. In fact by the way she held her head up and pushed toward the cloth, I think she liked it. Eventually I got all the old skin off and during the whole time my boa didn't even flinch. It was almost like she realised I was helping her. At one point I had one finger under her jaw and another finger was touching the tip of her mouth while my other hand was working loose skin off the side of her head.
Just wonder if others of you have had similar experiences.

[ Hide Replies ]

• Touching the head - woodchip, Wed Nov 2 20:01:26 2005
• RE: Touching the head - JohnLokken, Wed Nov 2 20:56:44 2005
• I do that too......>> - LindaH, Wed Nov 2 22:18:35 2005
• Funny you should ask... - SweetLeaf, Thu Nov 3 20:30:58 2005
• RE: Funny you should ask... - woodchip, Sat Nov 5 06:56:22 2005