Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We're new to boas, and have one month old Columbian Red Tail. How much handling is too much, and how little is too little?

depends on the boa but for a quick reference...usually not right before/after a meal....not too long to where a difference in temp from outside the cage would play a role...and not too much to where the animal is stressed from being removed from comfortable environment...as a time frame..a few hours a day(max)..or once or twice a week(min for good temperment and not just expecting food) is a good base to build good temperment and not cause too much stress. good luck with the new little one.

The rule is that we NEVER handle our animals for 24 hours after they eat. It seems to be the only handling rules that we really have. I have noticed that the more we handle our animals as neonates/babies the calmer and easier temperment they seem to have as adults, ALTHOUGH we do have several animals that no matter how much we handle them they just dont like to be out of their cage. Those few animals are just handled with more respect when we do have to take them out and Steve and I just know that they get stressed when out of their enviroment and we handle them with more care then others. It just takes time to determine which type of boa you have. I have to say out of our entire collection we really only have two that are edge when taken out. Hoep this information helps you!

Good luck with your new adventure!

Sincerely,
Rose Aguilar
-----

www.srsnakes.net

Thanks for the info! This little guy seems to enjoy being handled, and is very calm when he wraps around my wrist. This is his 3rd day with us, and we're planning on offering him some food on Thursday.