Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am a boa person but checking with you guys because you deal with this stuff way more than boa folks. I have a new 03 Hogg Island Boa that is used to being picked up with a hook and he is a snappy little bugger. Thanks.
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Jeff
0.1 Wife: Kim
1.0 Hogg Island Boa, Bob Sears Line: BLT
1.1 Smooth-Scaled Sand Boas: Xerxes, and Sa'rai
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa: Solomon
0.2 Kenyan Sand Boas, 100% het anery: Sheba, Jasmine
0.1 Doberman: Princess Grace
1.0 Pitbull Mix: Popcorn
1.0 Rough Collie: Dante

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I would recommend Tongs.com as they have a great little hook that is perfect for fast moving elapids, arboreal vipers and this hook would work great for young boa as well. Or, as the other post mentioned, you can probably look around your house and find something that will work just fine....clothes hangers, a pair of forceps/hemostats, cooking utensils...just something with a blunt end.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation (IL)

Just pick him up. Either that of make a little hook out of the crap they sell at Home Depot type stores, perhaps w/ a rubber tip as not to gouge his eyes out.

But I need to use something for a reason. He is one PO'ed little boa. He is a yearling 24” or bigger. I just got him yesterday and I want to just leave him alone for a while to settle in, but like this morning I had to clean out his cage and change is water. He is striking at everything. If he does not settle down in 5 or 7 days then I may need to take a hit or two to show him that biting wont help, but I would rather avoid that for now. I know he will out grow this phase. Thanks for all the replies.
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Jeff
0.1 Wife: Kim
1.0 Hogg Island Boa, Bob Sears Line: BLT
1.1 Smooth-Scaled Sand Boas: Xerxes, and Sa'rai
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa: Solomon
0.2 Kenyan Sand Boas, 100% het anery: Sheba, Jasmine
0.1 Doberman: Princess Grace
1.0 Pitbull Mix: Popcorn
1.0 Rough Collie: Dante

He may not outgrow that "phase" if it is caused by parasites, which it may well be. Get a fecal to a vet. Where are you? I'm in south Florida, & have a spare hook if you're close enough to come get it.

~~Greg~~

Thanks Greg for the offer of the spare hook, but I am in Tallahassee. I went a head and ordered a the nice 24” Mini Hook from Midwest. I will get it by Tuesday. About the fecal I defiantly plan on getting him checked out at the vet. All new animals should get a first visit. I have a feeling that he has been keep in a shoebox rack all his life and has not been handled very much. Then being sent from Texas to Ohio to Florida on a cold night and smelling dogs for the first time and any number or other things could be setting him off. I sure though that if he is parasite free it will just take time and patience.

Later,
Jeff
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Jeff
0.1 Wife: Kim
1.0 Hogg Island Boa, Bob Sears Line: BLT
1.1 Smooth-Scaled Sand Boas: Xerxes, and Sa'rai
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa: Solomon
0.2 Kenyan Sand Boas, 100% het anery: Sheba, Jasmine
0.1 Doberman: Princess Grace
1.0 Pitbull Mix: Popcorn
1.0 Rough Collie: Dante

I have a feeling that he has been keep in a shoebox rack all his life and has not been handled very much.

I have a nippy ball python that has a similar story - kept only for breeding, never handled except for husbandry. He's calmed down over the years, but he's still got his bad days. I will only free-handle him if I'm sure that he's in a docile mood (usually a couple of days after Feeding Day). Even with hooks, he was still pretty grumpy.

Last month, I got a python hook from LLLReptile (one of the Midwest ones). I am SO HAPPY with it! Ol' Frank sits on that hook like it was the Comfy Chair. He's usually an expert at throwing a hook, but he's taken to this python hook rather nicely. I had him out on the hook to put him into his feeding tank, and I couldn't get him OFF it! It's as if he turns from Mr. Nasty Snake to Mr. Docility when he's on it. It seems the proper tool has made all the difference.

Hey thanks for the responce. I have since ordered a Midwest 24" Mini Hook and it works great. Plus I got him to take his first meal since being here so now I hope I can start working on handling him more. Right prior to the last two pics he got me for the frist time on the right thumb , and it more than likely not the last time either..lol

Thanks,
Jeff

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Jeff
0.1 Wife: Kim
1.0 Hogg Island Boa, Bob Sears Line: BLT
1.1 Smooth-Scaled Sand Boas: Xerxes, and Sa'rai
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa: Solomon
0.2 Kenyan Sand Boas, 100% het anery: Sheba, Jasmine
0.1 Doberman: Princess Grace
1.0 Pitbull Mix: Popcorn
1.0 Rough Collie: Dante

I was at walmart the other day.. (yes im ashamed to admit it) and was in the barbeque section... they have these great little things called "steak hooks" that are 20" long and a PERFECT snake hook for little guys and for only $2.00 each I bought 2

..
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Jeff
0.1 Wife: Kim
1.0 Hogg Island Boa, Bob Sears Line: BLT
1.1 Smooth-Scaled Sand Boas: Xerxes, and Sa'rai
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa: Solomon
0.2 Kenyan Sand Boas, 100% het anery: Sheba, Jasmine
0.1 Doberman: Princess Grace
1.0 Pitbull Mix: Popcorn
1.0 Rough Collie: Dante