Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have the opportunity to adopt a 7' female boa but I have some issues. The current owner says she sometimes bites when you reach in to get her out if she's hungry. Once she's out, she's supposedly a kitten. My questions:

1) Does this mean she's not being fed enough or are red tails always hungry?
2) Can this response be conditioned out of her? Is she not being handled enough?
3) When I go look at her, what should I look for aside from the obvious health things? I'm talking behavioral issues?

Thanks!

>>1) Does this mean she's not being fed enough or are red tails always hungry?

Could be ,but generally yes snakes have all of 2 things to do in culture 1) EAT 2) Reproduce 3) Make turds !!
>>2) Can this response be conditioned out of her? Is she not being handled enough?

Most likely this is the case,no guarantee on future disposition but afforded diligence can likely have positive results in a domestication context.

>>3) When I go look at her, what should I look for aside from the obvious health things? I'm talking behavioral issues?

What would you define as "obvious health things" ?
Ask yourself .....
Can I handle a 7'/20lb Boa without help ?
Ya think ? a pissy 7' boa is much more then two handfuls.
Can I properly house a 7' Boa in an enclosure thats not intended for fish ?
Can I afford to properly supply/locate feed prey suitable for a large constrictor.

Personally I have animals that are generally pretty easy going critters but every so often decide to act like the wild animals they are and they have a go at me.Why ? I couldn't tell you ...I dont speak BCI/BCC
So if you feel your up to the task on "all" accounts then go for it !

Some how I dont think this is gonna be pretty ......
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TnK

She might be being fed plenty, some boas seem always hungry. If you posted a pic we could tell you if she's too thin etc. Or you could weigh her.

Yes, you can hook train her. If you take her out with a hook, she'll eventually learn that that cold metal means it's not feeding time. With a snake her size you just hook the front of her and lift while grabbing the tail with your other hand (be good if you could practice with a nicer snake!), you can't really lift a big snake with a hook (that's why giant python ownders use drag hooks and drag their snakes). Take gloves and a hook to go check her out if you can.

Take her out, or have her owner take her out and see if she really calms down or not.

Good luck
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Caden Chapman
slithering.serpents@gmail.com
http://slitheringserpents.com