Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello everyone...

i have a gorgeous female hogg island boa, shes probably just about a year old, around 3 feet...and i've had her for about 6 months...

the place i got her from said she had a good temperment...and most of the time she does...shes my baby...

but lately shes been having quite a nasty attitude...

the first time she bit me was on halloween...she got me on the hand and on the face...for really no apparent reason what so ever...i was a little riled up, but the bite wasnt bad at all...

she has since attempted to bite me several times...for really no apparent reason at all...

i feed her an adult mouse (f/t)every other week

i give her warm baths when she goes into shed, and i leave her alone when shes in her hide... she has a heat pad and a lamp...

she never tries to bite when shes in shed...and she seems to like being handled most of the time... i wash my hands after handling other pets, and i try to move slow and not scare her at all...

i don't really understand why shes biting/striking all the time...so i figured i'd consult some other herp enthusiasts...

when she does make contact, she lets go almost immediatly...

is this defensive? is it anything to worry about?

right now its not too much of a problem, because she still has little baby teeth...but when shes got her big girl teeth, i dont really want to pry those out...lol

plus, i am extremely concerned because she is supposed to be the star of my upcoming reptiles educational programs for elementary age children....and the message wont go over so well that snakes arent evil...if i have a boa hanging off the side of my face...

the bites arent bad at all...they bleed pretty well, but nothing that a little rubbing alcohol can't take care of...

i still get excited when she strikes...lol...sometimes i give a little yelp...i dont really know why...its so fast, its a little scary...

but i love her, and im hoping its caused by some minor error i have been doing, and that we can get the relationship back that we had...

thanks so much!
jessica

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0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Argentine Black & White Tegu
1.0.0 Leopard Toad
1.2.0 Dogs
1.2.0 Cats
2.0.0 Rats
1.0.0 Rabbit
1.0.0 Gerbil

i dont think your feeding it enoff....

i understand why you would think that...but when i feed her every week, she eats much slower, and is much less interested in food...

on average...when i feed her every other week, she takes about 30 minutes to eat the mouse...

but when i feed her every week, it takes upwards of an hour....
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0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Argentine Black & White Tegu
1.0.0 Leopard Toad
1.2.0 Dogs
1.2.0 Cats
2.0.0 Rats
1.0.0 Rabbit
1.0.0 Gerbil

Your snakes attitude will change if yours will ?
That animals needs to be on rat prey,rat prey thats appropriately sized and left to feed at her on pace.Some BCI pound prey quicker then others,others seem to want to play with it and treat it like a trophy.We have neos and yearlings here that have to kill their F/T prey 2-3 times before they get interested in actually eating.We also have like sized animals that could eat faster then a Bull or Indigo !They are prey pounding fools !!
For the well being of your relationship with your animal please makes a few adjustments,youll be surprised at the results.

Regards,
TnK

>>i understand why you would think that...but when i feed her every week, she eats much slower, and is much less interested in food...
>>
>>on average...when i feed her every other week, she takes about 30 minutes to eat the mouse...
>>
>>but when i feed her every week, it takes upwards of an hour....
>>-----
>>0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
>>0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
>>1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
>>0.1.0 Argentine Black & White Tegu
>>1.0.0 Leopard Toad
>>1.2.0 Dogs
>>1.2.0 Cats
>>2.0.0 Rats
>>1.0.0 Rabbit
>>1.0.0 Gerbil

i see...so i should feed her every week...easy enough

shes been feeding once every two weeks for quite a while...and i think the pet store i got her from also fed her only once every 2 weeks...but that was probably to save money...

but thats not a problem...

i think you misunderstood me...with the comment about my attitude changing.
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0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Argentine Black & White Tegu
1.0.0 Leopard Toad
1.2.0 Dogs
1.2.0 Cats
2.0.0 Rats
1.0.0 Rabbit
1.0.0 Gerbil

Its very possible that I misunderstood,but based on face value
of your post I guess Im still not on the same page ?
I am a "HUGE" advocate of "Conservative Feeding Regimes" for BCI/BCC.
But when prey items offered are not adequately supplied and Consumption rates based on performance are addressed/noted then where would one not be pointed towards a Keepers attitude ?

Where/What am I not understanding?Did I read to much "into" or fail to "comprehend" at some point?
Maybe I need more coffee ? LOL!!

TnK

>>i understand why you would think that...but when i feed her every week, she eats much slower, and is much less interested in food...
>>
>>on average...when i feed her every other week, she takes about 30 minutes to eat the mouse...
>>
>>but when i feed her every week, it takes upwards of an hour....
>>-----
>>0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
>>0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
>>1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
>>0.1.0 Argentine Black & White Tegu
>>1.0.0 Leopard Toad
>>1.2.0 Dogs
>>1.2.0 Cats
>>2.0.0 Rats
>>1.0.0 Rabbit
>>1.0.0 Gerbil

....

i don't understand why you think that my attitude needs to change?

i am not against feeding my boa every week...i feed her every other week due to her lack of interest and weight-gain.

i notcied that when feeding her every week, she seemed to get quite a bit chubbier and become more sluggish.(not right after eating, because obviously she would be sluggish due to digestion)

i just thought that feeding ever other week would be beneficial to her keeping a healthy weight and not getting overweight...

but perhaps i was wrong.

this post was about her biting, not so much her eating habits...

maybe feeding her every week will improve her attitude, perhaps not.

i will try it, regardless...because overall i am more concerned about her health than anything else...

i just don't think you are taking me seriously, perhaps you think i am unqualified in owning herps...i dont know.
-----
0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Argentine Black & White Tegu
1.0.0 Leopard Toad
1.2.0 Dogs
1.2.0 Cats
2.0.0 Rats
1.0.0 Rabbit
1.0.0 Gerbil

Underfed Boa are abit more edgey and will display actions of which you have described.Haveing a boa of any age close to your face reflects both working knowledge and experience levels of those that get "tagged in the face"
Being concerned about a "fat snake" shouldnt even be a consideration of someone who has a solid understanding of the "basics" of a boa's growth process and the part feeding plays in it.I believe you have the proper intentions towards a happy healthy animal(pet)but there are clearly some mis'applications of basic Reptile(Boa) Care Information at hand.

Getting off to a bad start doesnt mean your arent entitled to owning a boa.But by your own admittence thru the thread you need to rethink your position as the responsible party in that animals future.How much do you truly understand ?How well do you apply it ?
Plenty of people in here are willing to help others,but most no longer extend themselves due to past experiences with novice herp owners that post what you did.Most refuse to be challenged with the truth,NOBODY likes to be told their wrong.Those that ask for help then refuse it when its extended are basically hung-up in denile and denile has plenty to do with Attitude !

Theres plenty of help here,

TnK
>>
>>i don't understand why you think that my attitude needs to change?
>>
>>i am not against feeding my boa every week...i feed her every other week due to her lack of interest and weight-gain.
>>
>>i notcied that when feeding her every week, she seemed to get quite a bit chubbier and become more sluggish.(not right after eating, because obviously she would be sluggish due to digestion)
>>
>>i just thought that feeding ever other week would be beneficial to her keeping a healthy weight and not getting overweight...
>>
>>but perhaps i was wrong.
>>
>>this post was about her biting, not so much her eating habits...
>>
>>maybe feeding her every week will improve her attitude, perhaps not.
>>
>>i will try it, regardless...because overall i am more concerned about her health than anything else...
>>
>>i just don't think you are taking me seriously, perhaps you think i am unqualified in owning herps...i dont know.
>>-----
>>0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
>>0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
>>1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
>>0.1.0 Argentine Black & White Tegu
>>1.0.0 Leopard Toad
>>1.2.0 Dogs
>>1.2.0 Cats
>>2.0.0 Rats
>>1.0.0 Rabbit
>>1.0.0 Gerbil

okay...i will try feeding her a small rat tonight and see how it goes...

i apologize if i came off as defensive, but i see what you are saying about denile...

perhaps some of the information i have gathered has not been entirely reliable...

but i suppose the best way to learn is from your own mistakes...

you can't go by caresheets and online/book info, as all animals have their own personalities...and its difficult to make certain reccomendations just based on species...

she's still young, and i suppose that has something to do with the biting, as well as the food...

and also some of it definately is caused by my own error...

i guess, to be totally honest, i like to believe snakes are more intelligent than what they truly are....they do indeed, as others have said, have primitive brains...

i will try my best to improve my handling and care techniques, as well as patients and such...

i am no expert, that i will admit...but my intentions are good.

thanks all...

do you think the feeding is the definate reason for her behaviour? or do you think there could be anything else that i need to change?
-----
0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Argentine Black & White Tegu
1.0.0 Leopard Toad
1.2.0 Dogs
1.2.0 Cats
2.0.0 Rats
1.0.0 Rabbit
1.0.0 Gerbil

NOW YOUR ALL Your Wheels are turning together !!
(I knew it was in there)
Now learn to read your boa,what does that animal do over a two week period ?(Assumeing your going to stay on a 2wk feeding plan?)After two feedings at this rate,how early can you detect a pending shed ?Do you feed in the same cage or a seperate container ?When handleing your animal do you approach the animal slowly from above with an open hand or go straight in for the snatch ?Do you use a hook to remove the animal from either its liveing quarters or feeding tub ?

Truthfully snakes are some of the dumbest animals on earth.
They "cant" be trained but they "can" be conditioned.Understanding the clear difference between these two misunderstood words makes ALL the difference in the world in this context.
Sad to think we as humans have to be tolerated by our pet animal.

I think pathetic is more fitting LOL!!

TnK

>>okay...i will try feeding her a small rat tonight and see how it goes...
>>
>>i apologize if i came off as defensive, but i see what you are saying about denile...
>>
>>perhaps some of the information i have gathered has not been entirely reliable...
>>
>>but i suppose the best way to learn is from your own mistakes...
>>
>>you can't go by caresheets and online/book info, as all animals have their own personalities...and its difficult to make certain reccomendations just based on species...
>>
>>she's still young, and i suppose that has something to do with the biting, as well as the food...
>>
>>and also some of it definately is caused by my own error...
>>
>>i guess, to be totally honest, i like to believe snakes are more intelligent than what they truly are....they do indeed, as others have said, have primitive brains...
>>
>>
>>i will try my best to improve my handling and care techniques, as well as patients and such...
>>
>>i am no expert, that i will admit...but my intentions are good.
>>
>>thanks all...
>>
>>do you think the feeding is the definate reason for her behaviour? or do you think there could be anything else that i need to change?
>>-----
>>0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
>>0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
>>1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
>>0.1.0 Argentine Black & White Tegu
>>1.0.0 Leopard Toad
>>1.2.0 Dogs
>>1.2.0 Cats
>>2.0.0 Rats
>>1.0.0 Rabbit
>>1.0.0 Gerbil

lol..i will admit...i can be extremely stubborn...but you were deffinately right about the rat thing...

i went to petco today and got a small rat to test your theory, she took it immediatly...i was a little worried about whether she would be able to swallow it or not..but she did pretty well...

shes about double her size in her tummy...lol

but now i am curious...should i feed her a small rat every week, every other week...or maybe feed her a rat, then a mouse, then a rat...etc etc...?

i feed her f/t...i go for her slowly when getting her out...and i usually try to get her by her mid body, as gently as possible...(when shes in her cage)

i feed her in a seperate container...its a locking rubbermaid thing...with tinted plastic...i usually either give her a few hours to settle down in the container and get her out carefully and swiftly with my hand...or i put the container into her cage and let her crawl out herself if i dont think shes calm enough to be handled for even a brief moment...

i cant really be certain how often/when she sheds...but i could deffinately start taking notes on that one...

she has a under-cage heat mat and a hide...a big bowl of water, and aspen bedding...plus a fake plant on the cool side to provider her a bit more hiding places...also, she has a really nice branch that i got last summer from the woods & scrubbed up really well to make sure i didnt introduce any mite or bacteria...and a rough-ish rock to help with shedding...

shes pretty sneaky about biting...lol....whenever i think shes going to bite, she never does...and when im least expecting it...wham!

its not as big of a deal now...i just really want to nip the problem in the butt now...rather than have a moddy 6 foot boa trying to tag me all the time...lol

thanks
-----
0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Argentine Black & White Tegu
1.0.0 Leopard Toad
1.2.0 Dogs
1.2.0 Cats
2.0.0 Rats
1.0.0 Rabbit
1.0.0 Gerbil

I wait till they poop to feed them again

hmm...that seems logical enough...lol
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0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Argentine Black & White Tegu
1.0.0 Leopard Toad
1.2.0 Dogs
1.2.0 Cats
2.0.0 Rats
1.0.0 Rabbit
1.0.0 Gerbil

She needs to move to larger prey items. Most of the time biting is a feeding response. Snakes have very primative brains. They can reconize eyes or a face, the end they eat first. I don't ever let a snake close to my face. The CO2 in your breath is also reconized.