Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well my boas are starting to get bigger, so I'm wondering what the best way to handle them is. If they're acting a little pissy when you "pet" them or try to take them out of their tank, should you show them who's boss and get them out anyway or respect them and wait a day or two until you bother them again? Just wondering which approach you guys think works best.

Thanks,
Jessica

You should avoid conditioning them to learn that their display or "pissy-ness" will work, or they'll be more likely to use it in the future. You can usually snap them out of it by spraying them with water, or covering their head with a towel or newspaper or touching them with some other object until you're sure they're not feeling snappy. Being confident without being "grabby" is the best approach in my opinion.

Keep in mind, however, that every snake has times when they're not in the mood. Other factors can affect this time such as hunger, urge to breed, or improper husbandry. Ultimately, it is just learning to identify the subtle cues your snake gives you.

Hope this helps. I'm sure others will chime in also!
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Chris
0.1 Normal "Pastel" BCI
0.1 Normal BCI
1.0 Albino BCI
0.1 Normal Het Albino BCI
1.0 25% Suri Het Albino BCI
2.1 Striped BCI
0.1 Normal BP
1.1 APBT
1.2 Rug Rats

Whatever you decide, be consistent.
When you act in a consistent manner, your Boas are more likely to do the same.
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Jason Dowell

I'd just let them bite you. Soon enough they will realize you aren't good to eat and they will stop it.

Actually I am of the opinion that due to the inherent lack of real intelligence, I am mostly responsible for avoiding a confrontation. I always come into the cage using a Styrofoam stick. Eventually, especially if they don't smell food, they figure out that when they get touched or poked with that stick it's not time to eat. So you can generally "condition" a Boa that is prone to a feed response. An over defensive Boa is a whole different matter and a much more difficult problem. I have found it easiest to just avoid contact with those critters unless absolutely necessary. Repeated handling sometimes will ease their nerves. Sometimes. Don't really let them bite you. It's no fun for either them or you, but it was fun for me to suggest it wasn't it?
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Hi Jess, be the boss, put a good pair of lether gloves on and double up on a long sleev sweat shirt and get'er done.

teething ring!!!

If you let your boa "chase away the scary hand" it will learn to chase away the scary hand. If you don't back down, you may very well take a hit or twelve in the process but it will "learn" the "scary hand" is not so scary.

Of course like others said before, there are circumstances, there are times when it will be more pissy than others. You need pay attention to it and know what it's capable of and what signs are that it may not be the best time and/or need to get out the armour before attempting to handle.

Just last night one of my babys in the hatchling rack was hissing it's lil head off - full in blue and scared of the world. Needed it's tub changed so of course changed it. Just had to be careful and it never did bite me. Just hissed and hissed and hissed some more, even hissed the rest of the time I was even in the room.

Hmmm, was it really in the blue or were the eyes all opaque from hyperventilating??
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats