Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So my Dumerils Boa did not have her usual perfect shed. She had some leftover skin starting just behind her eyes and going down her neck 6-8 inches. So I got a warm damp cloth, pulled her out of her house, set her down beside me and covered the un-shed area with the cloth. leaving just her eyes and nose clear. After about ten minutes I decided to stroke the dry skin with the damp cloth to see if I could help the process along. Problem is I'd have to start at her head and stroke toward her neck. I've read here a number of times that Boas don't like their heads touched and my boa is over five feet...big enough to give a nasty bite.
So gingerly I started stroking with the cloth around my finger, figuring the fabric would give a little protection. Well much to my amazement she didn't mind. In fact by the way she held her head up and pushed toward the cloth, I think she liked it. Eventually I got all the old skin off and during the whole time my boa didn't even flinch. It was almost like she realised I was helping her. At one point I had one finger under her jaw and another finger was touching the tip of her mouth while my other hand was working loose skin off the side of her head.
Just wonder if others of you have had similar experiences.

All my snakes could do without me touching their head. But, when I handle them, I make sure I do it a couple of times. They are not thrilled about it. But, when the time comes to deal with a bad shed or something.........They are more use to it.
This really worked out well when I owned burms and retics. It payed off tenfold!
John
-----
"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

They never really like it, but they do get used to it somewhat, and don't freak out like one that has never had it's head restrained. When I pick up mine whether it is to hold it for a while or just move it, I always touch their head or grasp it gently for a second or two. You never know when you might end up having to treat a mouth problem or tube something down one. The more they are handled everywhere on their body, the less of a war it becomes later......imo.....
-----
Linda Hedgpeth
lindafh@frontiernet.net
Sierra Serpents

"There is just as much horse sense as ever, but the horses have most of it".

I had this happen as well, and I hope it happens again tonight! (see story below) I got a "narrow saddled" boa, and it had mites (which I was able to rid her of). There were some that were in the skin under the eye. She did not bite, but pulled away and hissed when I tried to secure her head. Finally I was able to secure her head and gently roll the skin and push out the mites. That must have felt ALOT better, because when I did the other eye, she did not flinch one bit.

Funny you should mention this. My OrangeTail Hypo male shed and left the skin from the top lip to the neck, including both eyecaps. I have to take care of this tonight. I may get a good chomping tonight!

-----
Mark Blanchard
Blanchard Productions LTD
E-Mail

You guys are braver than me. I never clamped down and actually held her head, rather she just rested her head on my hand and did not move.