Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had this snake for about 3 years. I'm not sure on how old it is but it is about 4 foot or better in length. For a year I could not have it with me due to a lease agreement so I found a friend to care for it for about a year. Before I left it in his care the snake was very docile and a pleasure to hold (loved to be on your shoulders) It seemed to like being held. Over the year that my friend had it in his care somethings have changed the characteristics of my snake. It is now very aggressive. I'm sure it is probably from lack of beind handled but I know it suffered some trama as well. The tank use to have a heat rock in it which I am now totally against. It seems that while my friend was caring for the snake he would not monitor the eating of live rats. The rat had chewed through the wire causing the snake to get a nice jolt everytime he would get near the rock. I'm not sure if this is also a reason for the snakes behavior but I can only assume that it was getting shocked when it would go for heat since it wasn't noticed until I visited. I want to keep my snake but want to be able to handle it again. Can anyone help me with ideas on how to repair the relationship between my snake and being handled? Do you think it has caused any irreversible trama mentally? I'm sure it will take time and patience but thats all I have right now.

I am not an electrician, but I am ot sure the snake would be shocked by the wire. Now if the WHOLE outter caasing was gone, then maybe, but a snake (being large and flat) compared to the wire, I would not be surprised if the snake never was able to touch the wire. Now something with having a ground or lack of a ground, but I know there have been times that I have touched exposed wires and not received a shock (no, not a twisted game I play, but while fixing something).
On to the agressiveness. There is only one reason and that is lack of being handled and there is only one solution and that is be handled more. Take it out every couple days for 10 minutes or so and I am it will acclimate itself to being held again.
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Brian Oakley
Phoenix, Arizona
BrianOakley@cox.net

All your boa needs is some good TLC.. Your poor boa has been neglected and felt that they bond that you had established is now broken. I would say if you are scared of getting bit then go out to Home depot or Lowes and get a pair of welders gloves, it works with my gravid girls who get a little "moody" when it gets closer to there due date.. I think that you were given some great advice in trying to handle him in small time periods every day or every few days. Dont worry, you big guy will get back to trusting you but you know he has been through alot at the hands of your friend and will need a little time to regain his trust.. I wish you good luck and remember he is just scared so give him some time...

Sincerely,
Rose Hipskind
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www.srsnakes.com