Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys. I have question to ask. Actually, I'd just like your opinion. I was reaching in to pick up my Boa last night in his cage, and when I did, he began hissing at me. He has never done this before, he is normally very docile and is easily handled. I'm thinking maybey he is getting ready to shed or maybey I just spooked him. I dont think that he is sick either, so what do you guys think? Thanks in advance.

It can be quitre scary to have a large boa actually hissing at you. I have a 11 footer that was in the middle of a shed once and wanted to be left alone......WOW she could hiss LOUD. Other than that one incident she is always a sweetheart, never minds being picked up and handled. She has gone to many shows and been handled by dozens of people. I have handled her during shed before and never before or since has she gotten hissy on me. Just leave yours alone for a couple of days and see how it goes. Just keep an eye on her/him. Also, let this be the warning to you, never go into a cage distracted, ALWAYS watch the animals reaction to your entering it's space. When asked if a snake bites, I always answer that anything with a mouth can bite.
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Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife
0.2 kids
12.4 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.1 Ball python
1.0 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

An 11' hissing Boa? That must have been quite un-nerving, my friend. Fortunately, mine is only about a foot and a half long right now. I was at a pet store earlier in the evening, and was handling a lot of different snakes. I'm beginning to think that maybey he smelled the other animals on me and got scared. Further, I think he might be getting ready to shed, who can say for sure? You make a valid point when you say to never get complacent or too comfortable handling these animals. I was just a bit taken aback by his behavior, he's normally very docile. I'm sure he will be fine. Thanks for your input.

I am certainly no expert, as my earlier post of the same question shows. I have tried leaving my boa alone and it returns to "normal" in a few days. I have also tried handling it anyway. It doesn't seem to matter. Both animals showing this behavior "get over it" in a few days. I was afraid that leaving them alone would encourage the aggresive behavior. They are both male? neonate suri's, 100-200g. Sometimes they settle down when picked up, sometimes I get struck at the whole time. If they do not even out I don't plan to keep them. All of my other neonates and larger boa's have great temperments. Hope this helps. I only got one reply from my post; thanks Rose.

Good luck,
Al

btw - getting bit doesn't hurt, but I do worry about the boa hurting himself on my hand.

yeah, the little ones don't hurt, even when they draw a little blood. I have bred many BRB's and they all are born nippy. Had to train myself not to pull back....tends to launch the snake across the room.

The bigger ones though......ouch.......got my hand hit and coiled on by an adult BRB, Damn they're strong. Had to submerge the snake and my hand in cold water to get it to let go. Hand was quite sore for a while. Snake was fine.
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife
0.2 kids
12.4 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.1 Ball python
1.0 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Yeah I still pull back, even when I know its coming. Like trying not to blink your eyes for a loud noise. I have never tried it, but I hear spraying mouth wash in their mouth works great for getting them to let go.

Al

I'm not always successful at not pulling back, usually does end up in launching the baby across the room. I too have heard various common household stuff to get them to let go, I figure water is the least likely to cause harm.
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife
0.2 kids
12.4 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.1 Ball python
1.0 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I know these animals sometimes aren't in a good mood, I was just so ecstatic that mine was so docile, I let my guard down, which could have had even more dire consequences had Nemo been bigger. He didn't bite me or try, he just hissed. I think that maybey I startled him a bit and that he just instictively reacted. Still, that hissing sure will make you take notice. Thanks again everyone for the feedback.