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I have own my boa for about three years now (had him since he was a baby) but he is just now getting aggressive towards me. He was at my parents house for about a year and a half because I joined the military and he wasn't handled much there. I know have him again in my care but he is not very friendly. Any time I remove the lid to his tank he strikes at me and stays in a striking pose. He used to not have any problem being handled when he was younger. Does anyone know how I can calm him back down? Or even a cause of his aggression that I am not thinking of? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Just a guess, but sounds like he may have health issues from neglect. Boas generally have that bad attitude when they're not feeling well. First thing I'd do is make sure the snake is well hydrated. Could be something as simple as a retained shed.
jsc

Thanks for the advice. I handled him when I went to go get him at my parents place and he was fine. Then when I brought him to a friends place closer to me he started acting nasty. He always shows signs of being healthy. Any other advice would be appreciated. At what point would I need to worry about his heath and need to take him to see a vet of some kind? Thanks again.

It's hard to say without seeing the snake.
How big is the snake?
Can you post a photo?
Things to consider: too hot, too dry, mites, retained shed, hungry, in shed, enteritis, oral infection, repiratory infection.
Give the snake some seclusion and keep it about 82 to 88 degrees F with a reasonably high humidity. Maybe it will settle down in a couple of days.
jsc

You say he was fine at your parents house, but not where he is now? I would wonder if there is something, like an animal or high traffic area, that is making him uncomfortable. Obviously, with sudden changes in disposition you do worry about health problems like was said earlier.

Is he eating well?
Normal stools?
What temps is he kept at?
Any retained shed? Eyecaps?

The snake is being kept at a friend's house that lives close to me and they do have a dog and two cats but he is kept in a room that is not used and I don't believe that the other animals are in there ever. He is eating normal and his sheds are always good. In fact, he shed a little bit before the move and was still fine immediately after he shed. He looks 100% healthy and his stools look normal. He eats a mouse twice a week with no trouble at all. the temp in his tank is kept in the mid 80s and I have a light that is only on him during the daytime. The only part of his tank that isn't up to par is the humidity. I don't have a humidifier on his tank yet, but then again he never had one before and wasn't nasty. Could it possibly just be a period he is going through that he will be mean?

You say you have had the animal for 3 years ?
It only gets fed 2 mice a week ?
Recently relocated and under fed with limited interaction would pretty much sum it up.
A few tweaks in the husbandry dept are in order IMO.
Adjustments to prey size and feed schedules should be addressed first.

>>The snake is being kept at a friend's house that lives close to me and they do have a dog and two cats but he is kept in a room that is not used and I don't believe that the other animals are in there ever. He is eating normal and his sheds are always good. In fact, he shed a little bit before the move and was still fine immediately after he shed. He looks 100% healthy and his stools look normal. He eats a mouse twice a week with no trouble at all. the temp in his tank is kept in the mid 80s and I have a light that is only on him during the daytime. The only part of his tank that isn't up to par is the humidity. I don't have a humidifier on his tank yet, but then again he never had one before and wasn't nasty. Could it possibly just be a period he is going through that he will be mean?
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TnK

He might be okay on the feeding, we don't know it's size. I've got a 5 yr old male Nic that is only 28 inches long, and gets 2 every 2.

How big is he??
I have to agree with TNK if he is a big boa!!!!

Common boas usually have a fabulous feeding response. Two of mine constantly strike the glass when hungry. I don't believe that the animal is acting aggressively because it is sick, but it is possible that the stress of the new environment has had an effect on the animals personality. I actually have three, and all three were purchased/rescued as adults, and were living in sub par conditions prior to my buying them. When my female Valentine was first brought home she had a pretty bad RI, it took months to combat, and during that time, she was as sweet as can be. Once she started feeling better though, her attitude really changed. She has never struck at me, but her hisses are loud enough that you could mistake them for an airplane landing!

I feed my 5 foot male a medium rat once every other or every third week. Mice are way to small for an adult boa. I couldn't get away feeding two mice a week to my adult ball pythons, let alone a bci. IMO try upping the prey size!
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Thanks,
Amy
My Boids