Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm new to the Dumerils Boa world, but fairly up on the common sense practices that will keep the chance of a bite to a minimum. I recently purchased a 2yr. old male dum. with a supposed mild temperament two weeks ago (easy to handle thusfar). The previous owner fed in his enclosure. I feed mine in seperate containers. I fed him in a rubbermaid for the second time. No issues with getting him out of his enclosure, but about 5 minutes after the rat was down I picked him up from the rubbermaid (no issue). When I got him up he turned and bit my hand. I'm at a loss for the real reason this happened. Did I pick him up too soon after feeding? Could he smell the prey on my hand though I'd just washed them? He was already in my grasp when he bit. I would surely appreciate any help that would keep this from happening again. By the way, this was my "first" bite and was not too bad though he lost a tooth in my finger. Sorry for the long winded post.

Thanks for any help,

Tony

1.0 Dumerils
1.0 Anery redtail
0.1 Anery corn
1.0 Snow corn
1.0 Ball
0.0.1 Great Plains gopher

you picked him up too soon.

generally when i am finished feeding my snakes, i let them in their feeding bins for at least 30 min. if im in a hurry, i usually gently place their bins into their cages & encourage them to enter their cages on their own will...or get them out with a snake hook & place them carefully into their cages.

5 min is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too soon to touch an animal after feeding.

hope this helps.

jessica

-----
0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.1.0 Albino Columbian Boa
1.0.0 Carpet Python
0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
0.0.1 Aberrant California Kingsnake
1.0.0 Greek Tortoise
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 ?????? Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Leopard Toad
2.2.0 Dogs
1.1.0 Cats
1.0.0 Rabbit
1.0.0 Gerbil
....................................

Shed Your Fears!
http://www.freewebs.com/ShedYourFears

One should always "hook" and transfer.
Regardless of whatever the reason,handling or feeding.
Never second guess or assume,the results are posted above.

>>you picked him up too soon.
>>
>>generally when i am finished feeding my snakes, i let them in their feeding bins for at least 30 min. if im in a hurry, i usually gently place their bins into their cages & encourage them to enter their cages on their own will...or get them out with a snake hook & place them carefully into their cages.
>>
>>5 min is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too soon to touch an animal after feeding.
>>
>>hope this helps.
>>
>>jessica
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----
>>0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
>>0.1.0 Albino Columbian Boa
>>1.0.0 Carpet Python
>>0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
>>0.0.1 Aberrant California Kingsnake
>>1.0.0 Greek Tortoise
>>1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
>>0.0.1 ?????? Leopard Gecko
>>1.0.0 Leopard Toad
>>2.2.0 Dogs
>>1.1.0 Cats
>>1.0.0 Rabbit
>>1.0.0 Gerbil
>>....................................
>>
>>Shed Your Fears!
>>http://www.freewebs.com/ShedYourFears
-----
TnK

You have answered your own question Sir,
Just remember the answer and the boa will retain its teeth

Best Of Luck !
-----
TnK

I occasionally feed in tubs, this allows me to clean the cage when it is empty...

Every boa is different, some are shy eaters that I have never witnessed strike, but to be safe even with these I always grab the tail, get a hook in a loop of their neck and guide them back into their cages...

The time issue doesn't always work...I have a few 4' and 5' boas that will come exploding out of the tubs even after as long as 4 hours...the smell in the tub and on their skin is enough for them to strike at anything that moves...
-----
Heather Martin
---------------------------

This was my first post and I truly appreciate all the advice. It sure does help having a place to turn to when you have questions.

Thanks so much,

Tony