Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just picked up a baby male bolivian at the reptile show that passed through San Jose, CA. this past weekend. He temperment was awesome at the show, and when I first got him home. I got him all setup and the guy told me he was on day 7 for feeding so I tried to feed him. I offered him a live small mouse but all he did was bite at it defensively and wouldn't take it. I put the mouse away for another day but after that all my new boa did was hiss and strike at me. Do you think I scared the hell out of him with a live mouse? I emailed the people I bought him from to find out what they were feeding him, (live, f/t, or f/k.) and am waiting for a response. Also I think I've read somewhere that red heat bulbs can sometimes make certain snakes aggressive at times. Any thoughts are appriciated. Thanks.

He is in defense mode because something is still scaring him, bothering him, or not quite right with him. Maybe he's not used to the live mouse, you, the color of your clothing, the way you approach the cage, etc...

There could be many, many different reasons to trigger this in him. There are many things that can be done to help him settle in and be comfortable with his surroundings.

Sometimes it helps to cover the cage for a while, sometimes just a hide-spot is good.

Sometimes my snakes will keep striking at it defensively and then suddenly wrap it while still hissing.. sometimes it just takes a bit of coaxing for him to 'turn off' his defensive switch and realize there is food right in front of him..
I always blow the rats scent towards the snake.. the premise being, he smells it/realizes it is food before he see's something that may make him defensive..

Then there are some that will NEVER get over that.. lol.. they'll just sit and hiss and puff for hours and hours! lol
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Thanks and take care - Joe Rollo
'Tis not the stongest of the species that will eventually survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change' Charles Darwin

i would wait a few days before feeding him again. let him get more comfortable with his new surroundings. also make sure he has a hide spot.

on a side note, i have heard that dispite what some sources say, some individuals have seen signs that indicate their snakes were able to see red lights (pupil changes) if this is the case then they would be agitated having a visible light on them 24hrs (as most red lights are used at night). this is not the reason i use black lights but rather because i am bothered by the red bulb glow. in conclusion, it wouldnt hurt to change out the red bulb for a black one if you can/want.

If he's just a baby, I wouldn't worry too much.. The others are definitely right, give him some time to settle in.. It's more than likely the snake has spent it's life in a small tub and the only interactions were from feeding, so it won't be used to you frequently checking in on him.. Give him a week or so to settle in, I would try to get a few meals in him before you attempt to handle him, you don't want an animal that won't feed.. If he takes a few meals down and is still acting defensive when you try picking him up, pick him up anyways.. I bought a snake from Greg Riso, a snake he claimed to be the NASTIEST SOB.. The first 2 days I had the snake I never witnessed ANY aggression, I could pick him up no problem.. After he got settled in, he displayed the behavior of a rattle snake, hissing and striking at anything he could.. I just won't have that, so every now and then I open his tub, reach in and grab him, once he's held he calms down.. You need to get the nerve up and try picking him up, let him move around where he wants with no restriction, let him get comfortable.. It's something you're going to need to do, unless you want him to stay mean.. A tip on picking him up, DON'T come from ABOVE, and DON'T come from the FRONT, try coming up behind him and gently grabbing mid body, then let him do his thing.. It's all about making him feel safe and not threatened, you're a BIG GIANT MONSTER to him.. I always ramble in my posts, but ya get the picture...
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Joe Lydon

LOL, Joe, if you were able to tame down the devil snake I readily admit you're a better man than me. Either that or you've got leather hands that can take a beating and don't mind fire breathing dragons. I can't wait to see if he proves out to be a triple het like the last dh sunglow I sold! I wish you good luck with him and all of your other breeding projects this season.

lol... I never said I tamed him, but he's all show and no go once you have your hands on him. lol Yeah, he's got 2 girls lined up this year.. After quarantine a 9' virgin 66% het from Chuck T and later in the season a DH Snow female.. I just finished up 2 breedings, hopefully have a litter of Xanthics aka Davey Pastels and a litter of Motleys cooking up.. Good luck Greg..
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Joe Lydon

Probably just needs to settle in, new environment and all, he's just scared. cover the cage, let him adjust for a couple of days. Don't handle him, then try feeding again. Once you get him feeding then work on handling him.

Who'd you get him from? I was there as a vendor.
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Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife
0.2 kids
4.12.136 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (OK, I'm only keeping a few of the 136, just tickled pink with my production this year)
1.1 Ball python
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

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