I currently have 2 very large female boas I rescued.They are in good physical condition but they seem to nip at me more and more.I know I don't handle them alot because I'm afraid of stressing them even more.Also I don't enjoy getting tagged by an 8 or 9 foot snake.Any advice?
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Nippy Adult Boas.
frankw
Dec 26, 2003 05:48 PM
Replies (2)
El_Pirata
Dec 26, 2003 06:22 PM
Snake bites are part of owning snakes. I never thought of the shirt idea but it just might work. Most snakes when they are getting ready for a shed will tend to be more defensive than normal and can bite. While their bites are generally scratches on our skin they can startle us a great deal when they strike.
One thing you need to understand is the fact that your snake NEEDS to be handled daily otherwise they will not be accustomed to being handled. Keep in mind not to handle them for 2 - 3 days after feeding or you could have a smelly undesired effect. Also once their eyes have started to glaze postphone handling sessions until the shed is complete.
Another thing, wash your hands before you handle your snake. If your snake is biting you you might want to invest in a pair of work gloves and handle your snake wearing those until the bites stop. Each handling session should be as long as you possible, especially as the snake starts to bite less and less frequent. If you leave a hostile snake alone they will only get worse, believe me. It's not too hard to watch tv or surf the net holding a snake as I am doing with my biggest right now.
Hope this helps.
RioBravoReptiles
Dec 26, 2003 06:39 PM
Some boas respond well to handling and some do not. I have found that attention to the temperatures, good caging and leaving them alone when they are angry does better than handling a scared boa.
Boas don't need to be handled (in my opinion) they need to feel secure. With some that starts with plenty of privacy, with others it may mean something else. Personally I do not handle scared boas, I wait until they are a little more calm and just cover their heads with my hands for a while, later I will move them, in the enclosure, after this has changed their attitude I then try to carry them for a while... but each boa is unique, you have to observe them and see what works.
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Gus
A. Rentfro
RioBravoReptiles.com
www.riobravoreptiles.com
"Quality is not an accident. Perfectly healthy animals are a minimum requirement.. everything else is just salesmanship" gus
