Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In general, are captive-bred emeralds aggressive?

Define Agressive?
Is a shark swiming alone in a tank agressive, No...
When I grab a fin and begin to tug, HMMM yes...

The question about emeralds being devils is so mis construded. I can reach in any of my snake enclosures and not get bit, not because the snake wouldent bite me, I just dont give him the chance.
As far as the CB vs. WC, I have WC animals that I can kiss on the cheek. On the other hand I have a CB 98 animal that hits the glass when I am 7 ft. away from the enclosure.
I guess what I am trying to say is that it is not a CB/WC thing, but to be judged on an case by case basis.
Keep in mind and be aware, the emeralds have moods, and they are the only boids that I have encountered that will bite and hang on(Serious Pain) not out of instinct, but out of anger and spite. Some of the worst bites have been because I trusted an animal way to much and ticked it off.

Oh, yea if you are thinking neonate, I have several and for the first year your hand will look like a pin cushion. : )

Hope I have been helpful

Joe
http://www.emeraldboas.com

I will agree that you it's not a WC/CB issue, but an animal by animal issue, we are able to handle all of our animals when necessary. The ONLY time Craig has been bitten by an adult (I've yet to be bitten by an adult - knock on wood) is when we've been assist shedding a fresh WC on a couple of occasions and once when he accidentally startled an animal out of a deep sleep, she fell off her perch and came up biting. We've never had an animal bite and hang on.

As far as neonates, ALL of ours have calmed down after the first couple of WEEKS. After that, we are able to handle when needed without looking like a pincushion. I am even able to clean the little ones cages at night, something I definitely wouldn't be doing with our adults.

A few months ago we purchased a yearling male from someone who made a comment that he guessed he was going to get bit AGAIN when he had to pack him up for shipping. I take care of the little guy, even at night, and he has yet to bite me or even try to bite me. You have to be calm, confident, sure of yourself, watch the animal and learn its body language.
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Karen Clark
Gems of the Rainforest

I agree with Karen, its all in the BODY LANGUAGE...NO ETB WANTS to bite....Snakes are unlike humans, domestic cats, terriers, dolphins, and other critters that often take PLEASURE in attacking and killing......snakes BITE to eat and to defend themselves...thats it.......when an ETB is in hunting mode at night its not prudent to wave a warm hand near him or breathe warm air on him because he may bite......If you happen to have a nervous defensive ETB he will let you know by his body movements....once you learn them you wont get tagged...make him feel comfortable and he wont bite....they really dont want to waste teeth on us....

It is definitely a case by case situation... I've got a sub adult pair of Emeralds.. When I opened them out of the shipping box they were like hot snakes.. Striking at any movement.. I thought I was in for a bad experience sooner or later... Days went by, they seemed to have calmed down... It's been 3 months and they haven't struck since day one... I can go into the enclusure to clean water spots off of the acrylic, change the water without having the slightest sign of aggression.. At this point I can even remove the snakes from the enclosure without a snake hook.. I handle them frequently and they are tame as a puppy.. They both eat and have bowel movements regularly... Never a regurge either.. I hear about the fierce ETB's and I'm waiting for it to show up in mine.. I'm thinking it just may never happen.. It is definitely a case by case situation..
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Joe Lydon
Got Boids?