Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys,
I will post some pics of my new Bolivian Female later on tonight. I handled her without problems when i was looking at her and she was incredibly docile. I decided to purchase her but since I was out of state I had a friend that was in that area drive her home for me since I was flying. Well long story short I just got her home and never in my life seen a meaner snake. I have no idea wha has changed her temperment so drastically. Maybe I am missing something but she was kept in a shoe box with a heat pack and not stresed more than that really. I just set her up in a small tank to feel safe and gave her a nice hide and lots of water along with a rat pup. I know your not supposed to feed so soon but she hadnt eaten in about 10 days according to the breeder She struck the rat pup instantly and while it had his head in her mouth constricting she was stil hissing !!! She hisses incessantly and keeps her mouth wide open. Never seen teeth like this before on a snake. I'll post pics later. Hopefully she will settle down after a week or so to settle in. My questions was are Bolivians known to be this testy or tempermental? She went from Angel to Devil in just a few days. Thank you guys for your help as usual.

Here she is !

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL93/2037157/3946855/48748485.jpg
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL93/2037157/3946855/48748472.jpg
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL93/2037157/3946855/48748462.jpg
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL93/2037157/3946855/48748456.jpg

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recycle your pets

I would be willing to guess that its simply stress causing her to be unfriendly. I usually leave all my new arrivals alone to settle in for a full week with the occassional 'peak' into their enclosures. I also keep them in a low traffic (quarantined) area during this initial period. Of course, I sometimes jump the gun and try feeding or handling a new arrival too soon. I think its a common reaction that most herpers go through at some point or another. I fed a new boa too soon and it regurgitated the mouse. Be prepared in case that happens. I followed the advice of some more experienced boa keepers & waited 5 days to try feeding it again AND I did not disturb the snake the entire time prior to feeding & afterwards. So while my intentions were good with an early attempt at feeding, it backfired on me since I had to wait longer to enjoy this new addition. Let it settle in a little while longer before anything else. I think most boas would behave the way you're describing under stressful new conditions/environments. Its simply a matter of natural instinct. I am not an expert by any means so others may have better or more appropriate responses. Also, its just my personal preference but I like to use white paper towels for substrate with new arrivals so you can see anything out of the ordinary (vs. the sales circulars/newspapers w/print that's in your current tank....once again..just a personal preference).

AND in case I didn't comment yet...VERY BEAUTIFUL SNAKE!
-Jason
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www.members.aol.com/northeastsnakes

Thank you for the advice Sir )

After last night she went into her hide box a few hours. About 5 hours after original introduction to her new tank(it is temporary till next Friday till Iget her a nicer set up)she emerged and placed herself on top of her hide spot and hasn't gone in since. She isnt acting crazy when i look at her anymore and seems to have calmed down a bit. She drank a good amount of water so I am beginning to think it was the stress that did it. Anyway I am really happy she is coming around. ))

This sounds like good normal healthy snake behavior. I would much rather have a snake reacting like that when they are new as opposed to a snake that seemed lethargic.. I have received several new snakes over the past year or so and what you are describing sounds very typical. I agree with the previous post in reply to you to just let the snake settle in for a week or so. From the looks of your cage set up, your snake looks a little exposed. I would give her very good hide spots so she can feel safe and even put the cage somewhere out of the way so she is not even bothered with normal houshold traffic noise, as the previous post suggested also.

good luck and she is a nice looking snake..
Patrick

Thank you for the replies. The picture was of the cage empty when I put her in it initially to get some pics. It has a couple of hides now and they are completed covered on all sides except for a small slit in one side where she slithered in. She likes to peek through that hole heh )