Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 3 nics, 1 male & 2 female....

I just got the last female & I know they can be tempermental especially as babies. I have handled this snake and made adjustments to it's cage with ease over the past two days. Well today I offered it a f/t mouse & it became very defensive, almost agressive really. Upon introduction of the mouse it repeatedly struck the mouse with no intention of eating it and then turned it's attention to me.

Any thoughts?
Thanks

Mine get cranky and defensive when they are early in their shed cycle (pre blue phase). When was the last time he shed?
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Cheers,
Jessica Gibbs
Ball Pythons; Corn Snakes; Green Tree Python; Jungle Carpet Pythons; Bci; Bcl
3.0 Crazy Dogs and 2.0 cats
Some Tropical Fish
...........and growing!

Only had her for two days. Not sure about the last shed but thanks for the response.

My common practice when getting a new Boa is --
> No handling until they've had 2-3 successful meals -- except to clean the enclosure.
> No feeding until 5-7 days after receiving the new Boa. This can allow them to calm down , and you may possibly get to see a defecation prior to your feeding, which can indicate if they're creating good stools proir to your care.

Your new Boa seems overly-stressed . Don't rush it.
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Snake room janitor

I agree. I give my cb Nics about 7 days before I feed them, and I give imports 10. I handle them minimally only when cleaning the enclosure. I like to get them established eating before I handle them more.

When you do attempt to feed again, leave the room...some Nics will not eat while they feel they're being watched.

If they are fresh imports they may not eat during the day, you may find that they'll only eat at night, in the dark.

It's also common for Nics to refuse f/t, some will only accept live.

Amie

Oh, I didn't realize you only had her for a few days...thought you just interacted with her over the past few days. I agree with the next post. Give a good while to adust and become secure with the new environment. As a rule of thumb for myself I don't handle other that for general health inspection for one whole shed cycle after I've received the animal. Give them time to feed and shed once.

But you are right...CA can be fiesty! Best wishes.
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Cheers,
Jessica Gibbs
Ball Pythons; Corn Snakes; Green Tree Python; Jungle Carpet Pythons; Bci; Bcl
3.0 Crazy Dogs and 2.0 cats
Some Tropical Fish
...........and growing!

Two days?? Giving reptiles (especially boas) at least a week (or two!) to settle in is basic husbandry. Don't mess with her cage, don't try to feed her, and DON'T handle her, unless you absolutely have to. Let her settle in and then feed her, then handle her.
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1.2 Longicauda
2.2 Bolivian Amarali
0.3 S.B. Amarali
1.1 Centalians
1.0 Dumerils
2.2 Hog Isles

I should have known better, thank you all for your help. I will go with the given advice.

I will take pics & share (in a few weeks of course.)

My two that I have are farmed and do only eat at night in secrecy and hide a lot.

The new girl is cb and a poss het for T . She doesn't hide in any of her many hides and seems pretty out going. I will give her all the time she needs to settle in and try later. She was reported to be eating f/t & that's why I tried feeding this weekend.

Thanks for all your help!!
Gene

and a bad keeper, is how they take advice and put it into action! Good on you for doing what's best for the animals
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1.2 Longicauda
2.2 Bolivian Amarali
0.3 S.B. Amarali
1.1 Centalians
1.0 Dumerils
2.2 Hog Isles