Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First off let me say that this is my first boa, have a few ball pythons but first boa. I purchased this female at the show in sacramento about a month ago, she was 9 months at the time. My concern is that she doesnt like to be handled, she strikes out at me when I am holding her, or she stays in that S curve just waiting for a good opportunity. Are they just nervous snakes by nature? She is always hidding out when she sees me she is quick to find a hide.My biggest concern is what do I do, do I just take a few bites and she will quickly learn, or is this a sign of something else.I have been using gloves to pick her up and handle her, is this a mistake? Are boas generally aggressive snakes? I would like to get another, a male next year, but not if they are all like this.Any advise appreciated for a newbie.

From what i've read and the Hogs i've interacted with, they are considered pretty even tempered. Maybe she is not used to human interaction other than being feed. Try to think more in terms of fear rather than agression. From the sounds of things she is more fearful rather than mean tempered. Although there are exceptions to all general profiles of individual species. If it was my snake i would continue to handle it on a daily basis if the snake doesn't get to wound up. When i get a snake that has a questionable attitude, i will usually remove the animal from its enclosure with a glove. If all is going well with the handling session i will remove the glove and work with it as any other snake. Obviously, don't let it get near your face or other vital areas, and make sure your in an area where there is no distractions or things which may startle the snake. Goodluck, Clint
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0.1 Colombian Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "Honey"
1.0 Hogg Isle Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "Peeker"
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa-(Epicrates Cenchria) "Houdini"
1.1 Argentine Boa-(Boa Constrictor Occidentalis) "Lacie" & "Oreo"
0.0.2 Green Tree Python-(Morelia Viridis)Biak type-"Smog" & Sorong type- "un-named"
2.0 Canines Husky-Cody & Husky/Shepard-Trail
0.1 Wife-Michele
2.0 Kids-Chris & Bodhi(still in the oven)

Good advice.....Just keep working with it on a daily basis. If you do have to pull it out with your glove at first then take the gloves off after it has mellowed out a bit. That way it can feel your hands. She should mellow out. And to answer your other question most Boas are generally easier to work with. I have one nasty one out of the bunch but she is a Nicaraguan and hasn't been handled much....my bad. Good luck!!! By the way I am in Sacramento as well.

I agree with the above posts, but I'd get yourself a hook to remove your great looking hog with. There fear as youngsters fades with time. But it's just good practice to use a hook for initial removal fron the enclosure.
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Ed Lilley, www.constrictorsnw.com

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