Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Me and my wife purchased a Brazilian Rainbow almost a year ago, female, and she's a handful. Is it normal for BRB to be very agressive when handled or am I just lucky like that?Is it because she is still small? She is alright when I where gloves, mostly because I'm less nervous, but she still gets that look like she can't wait for the next opportunity to get me. And why does she always go for my head not my exposed arm?

I know people who do and there are a bit more untrusting then a normal BCI Boa. the fact that you may hesitate with out gloves may in fact be teasing he into biting you. If you are more comfortable wearing gloves then by all means use them (thin garden gloves should give you plenty of protection from a Medium size BRB. Once you and the snake become comfortable with each other, then the gloves may not be needed. Also keep in mind that a bit is not really all that bad, it is more of a startling thing then a painfull one. It took me years to not jerk away when I was bit (jerking away may cause a worse wound then taking the bit) But now I don't think much about it. I still don't like getting bit by my big boas, but the corn snakes that I have, I will let bite me with out any thought to it.
Good Luck
Jim

I've had a few temperamental snakes and they do tend to go for the face or fingers vs a nice flat arm. I personally think the fluttering of eyelashes and the warm breath is what disturbs them (movement and heat). If your snake is defensive when you try to take it out of the cage, you can always hook it. Most snakes don't see a hook as a threat as readily as a grasping hand. With smaller snakes (under 8 ft) I usually just obscure their view of my hand reaching for them with a piece of cloth, (snake sacks always around) paper towels or newspaper that I use as substrate. Once the snake is out, I keep it away from my face and avoid sudden movements, especially towards the snakes head. I've used thin leather gloves for persistant strikers rather than anything suede or fabric to lessen the risk of teeth getting caught in the glove material. I don't like to use gloves, because once you've got the snake out, you can't get a good grasp on it or feel when it's tensing up. Young snakes tend to be more agressive than adult snakes because they've got the "everything is trying to eat me" syndrome.
Not trying to be bombastic- just some observations...

Lora