Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am trying to decide whether or not to adopt a 4 year old boa or wait and get a baby from the next exotic animal show in may. I've done lots of reading and I've taken care of snakes before. I just want to know how easily an older boa's temperament can change.

I would go with the 4 year old one, but he's kinda shy and defensive. My friend didn't handle him much. Doesn't actually bite, just doesn't seem comfortable around people. I don't mind spending time working with him to get him to warm up and I know a snake is never going to be friendly like a mammal.

I guess what I'm asking is: If both were handled daily, could the older boa every be as calm and people friendly as a newborn would be? Cause if so I think I'd rather adopt the older one.

get welders gloves and a carhart jacket and take the older boa. no reason to let a good animal go to waste.
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Boas can live 25 years. Thats a really long term commitment as animals go. What can I expect his behavior to be like if I handle him daily?
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0.1 Ball Python
1.1 Corn Snakes

he wont see you as much of a threat so he should calm down some. also it is good to "train" them to a snake hook. open the cage and tap them gently with it to let them know they are coming out. My buddy actually trained his nile monitor using a glove. He put the glove on and the monitor knew it was coming out lol

Ive taken in a couple "rescue" boas myself the current one is a stripe het albino female that is possibly full of babies. Sometimes they seem fussy its just thier way of getting to know you.
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handled daily, the boa will get used to you, but also you will get used to the boa. With frequent handling boas will act predictably...but that could be predictably bad or predictably good. The key is, you will know the actions he makes before he bites.

Most of the time with gentle deliberate handling, most do calm down.
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Dave Lee

Shouldn't be a problem with the older one. Throw a sweaty dirty shirt of yours in there to help him get used to you.
I don't know how the parrot people can stand it with the bites those birds can give, but they do. Just remind yourself, at least its not a parrot. Show no fear and don't get him too close to your face, especially with eye contact. When holding him always support him midbody. Boas have a fear of falling. As well they should, with no arms or legs. A body of that much mass can get mighty tore up from a fall.
You'll both be fine.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

A shirt yes but make sure it doesn't have any oils on it or other chemicals that may be splashed on it from daily activities (windex, pledge......) so just make sure that it isn't any old sweaty shirt
Bob