Reptile & Amphibian Forums

got my first boa wed. got her from the snake bag to her cage no problem, but when ever I go in to check on her or open her cage she gets REAL nervous. starts "rattling" her tail and getting in pre-stike position. I know, I know its only been a couple days and she still needs to get aclimated, but when do I make the move to handle her? Ive only owned BP before and never from this young, most of those snakes could care less about being handled even right away. I am not afraid of being bitten by a baby boa, but I would rather approach this in its proper timing, I heard baby boas can be skittish at first. any suggestions? (If I was sent in a bag overnight through a courier service I would be skittish too)

Thanx in advanced

most fiesty boas are puppies once you get them out... gotta respect their space, i never put my hands in the cage, i always hook them out. even when they are really pissed off, theyre fine once out of the cage. this is not neccisarily true of all boas, but its a useful tool to have around. works for me

sean
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recycle your pets

I will try it if you think I should go ahead and get her out, I never use one for my Balls but I bought one just for her.

And she was a sweet girl once I used the hook to get her to my hand, all that huffing and puffing she was doing was all for show, she was just real curious about this new guy and my shirt LOL. maybe she will settle down now

thats my advice... hook her out... give her a sencond to chill, then slowl approach her back half and lower her weight onto your hand... just approach it like a hostage situation... slowly, carefully, delicatley... should be fine

if you get bit, you get bit, it happens. but youll probably find shes fine once out and about.
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recycle your pets

Does the cage open from the top? I've seen a number of young boa constrictors that freaked out whenever enormous killer apes (AKA humans) started grabbing at them from above. For some reason, being lifted on a hook doesn't seem so threatening to them. A hiding box is helpful in reducing stress, too. Good luck.

Paul Hollander

Lifting them out with a hook is probably easier because its not a living creature that could be "out to eat them" Humans on the other hand.. register as large predators..Snake's don't really connect the hook to the person handling it. A hook isn't threatening.. a hand is.
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Lucien

1.0 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)
3.1 Leopard geckos (2 Blizzard and 2 het Blizzard)
0.1 Savannah Monitor
13 rats
12 Gerbils
2 Dogs
3 cats
1 Albino Corey (fish)