Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

this is my first time posting on kingsnake... i've been a passive reader for years now though. my knowlage of herps extends only as far as monitor lizards and chameleons. last night a good friend of mine moved out of town and gave me his 3 1/2 foot red tail boa, im not quite sure which subspecies she is but i will post pics of her later. my main concern is proper acclimation...
when i got her she was malnurished..... she had not been fed in close to a month. she had been used to live mice ... so i fed her two (will be switching to f/t mice asap)... she took them readily... other then being a little thin she seems to be in overall good condition... she is a beauty ... good skin... no mouth rot.... flicking of the tongue...moblie... etc.. i want to make this snake part of the education experience of my students... and therefore need to handle her as much as possible.... this is my first snake... though there is much information on kingsnake and the rest of the net on husbandry and proper care... there is little on the detailed handling of constricting snakes... (should i use a hook?.... shes been used to being picked up by hand... should i use a glove.. and gently tap her head? then lift her from her midsection.... ? etc.)

as u can see im new to snakes...
.....please can u provide me with handling tips with as much detail as possible... i want the best for this boa... thank you

-Richy

they're pretty durable snakes, just grab it! Only thing is if they don't feel fully supported they might thrash a little to try to get a grip, so just make sure you have it held so it feels safe. If it is use to being picked up then no need for gloves/snake stick
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Russ
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Apollo)
1.0 Guyana Red-Tail Boa (Ares)
0.1 Rosy Boa (Athena)

Melbourne, Fl

thanks ... is there anything else i should know or be aware of ?

Pick her up without hesitation but just be gentle. If you get nervous just have a cold water bottle on tap her on the head with it if you think she is in feeding mode just to let her know. Basking spot of 85-90 and don't let it get below 72 if you can help it just to prevent URI and they are great feeders so taking frozen shouldn't be a problem. They are great snakes and should be a blast for your students. Don't mess with her much after you feed her for a couple days depending on the size of the meal and when you order frozen try using rats rather than mice it's just healthier. Don't use cedar anything for a substrate instead newspaper, paper, aspen, repti-bark... Just use common sense and post any ?'s you got and someone will be able to help you, good luck with new pet.
Bob

thanks you guys have been a great help... ill start handling her on thursday as she had been fed yesterday.