I need some help. I work at a science museum where I keep a lot of animals. I am responsible for the vast majority of them, but there's a columbian boa here that is not under my direct care and her caretakers are having some problems. She's about six years old and has had some mild aggression issues in the past, but I had been working with her caretakers and we were handling her on a regular basis with little or no problem. Recently, though, she's been striking at everyone who comes near her enclosure. We've called reptile vets in our area and, understandably, they all want us to bring her in. That could be tricky as I don't want any of my staff to get bitten. She's not shedding, she's been eating regularly, as far as I know, and nothing in her enclosure has really changed recently. Can someone give me some ideas as to what might be the issue and how to ease her stress? She's usually such a good snake and I hate to see her like this.
Thanks.
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Unhappy Columbian
Replies (3)
maybe some "quiet" time. drape off her enclosure and/or move her to a quiet room, little to no traffic, nothing to disturb her. She might just be stressed out and need a vacation. If you do have to handle her, take her to vet etc. leather welding gloves should do the trick to protect hands/forearms.
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Thanks,
Dave Colling
www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com
0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
10.22 BRB
10.15 BCI
And those are only the breeders 
lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats 
All of my animals get a bit more aggressive in the summer, and hungrier. Also, if you have a routine down, as far as feeding goes, they tend to be expectant on feeding day and more likely to lash out. Maybe she's just hungry and wants MORE foood.. A hungry Boa is obviously more aggressive; it's built in for survival.
I'm not saying you should not see a vet, but if she's eating and healthy looking with good turds, don't waste the money.
Does she have a hide?
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sounddjinn@yahoo.com
Things always get cloudy, just before transformation.
here's some ideas. She probably has these but if not this could help. She needs a warm side and a cool side of her cage. The temp should be regulated properly, and the temp should never go above 95F, and there should always be a cool spot or a pool for soaking. A humidity bin or a bathing place for moisture, and if no humidity bin then spray down her cage twice a day. She should have two hides one on each side, they should be big enough for her to curl up inside but not much bigger (they like a tight fitting hide). How big is she and how big is her cage? Maybe her cage is too small. Does someone or something in the room smell like rats or mice or rabbits or did you move some into that room, or nearby?
Caden
