Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought a suriname boa about a week and a half ago and every time I get near him or mess with his cage or a neighbor's cage he starts hissing and won't stop until I leave the room. He is fine after I pick him up, but I feel that he is stressed or will get stressed from al the hissing. Last monday I gave him a rat and all he did was hiss until the rat jumped on him and then he ate it. Today I gave him a rat and he wouldn't touch it. Is there anyway to make him hiss less?

Probably cover the front of the cage so he feels more secure, don't feed live unless you absolutely have to, and make sure his temp is right.

You want him to feel comfortable in his cage. Do not put live rodents in there with him. Kill it first then offer it or just leave it in there over night. Almost all of mine will find and eat the rodent during the night. The bottom line is to make him comfortable. Make him a hide box. Depending on the size it could be as easy as cutting a big plastic cup in half or a plastic trash can.

Good luck.

Kevin

No mites. Mites can put a boa in a horrible mood. Can you blame them? Not too hot. Max temp. at about 86 deg.F in my opinion. That's on the warm side. Not too dry. Provide adequate security/shelter. No bright lights. No live food. Same as others have said.
Just like in humans, some individuals are just a little more verbose than others. Just like in humans some are more easily stressed than others. If he continually strikes at the cage front, that's not good. Then cover with paper.
I generally hold my hissy ones to my chest, in the palm of my hands, so they can get a sense of my scent and heartbeat and realize this imposing creature will not intentionally do them any harm. They eventually grow out of it/settle down.
jsc

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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer