Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I received via Delta Dash a 15-month old Gila about one week ago. It came out of its box madder than a hornet! I've fed it once and it still hisses at me when it sees me out of its Boaphile cage. Tonight I decided to try to handle it...maybe too soon. It was biting and hissing and got a hold of my glove! This is my first Gila...do they usually calm down?

When they get larger and become less fearful. . .

HA ha ha ! Welcome to the club friend. Everything likes to eat young gilas so they need to be mean. Dr Seward told me that in its simple truth!They calm down with age but males usually get mean for breeding season n my females are vicious when nesting.fyi

For me it seemed when I was first keeping them they almost sensed my fear or misunderstanding. Once ones riled only time n quiet seem to calm them too. They are pretty emotional for reptiles. IMHO n be careful cuz they are tough but they stress out easy too. Give him what he needs as far as somewhere around 80-85 half the day or so n plenty of clean water n a couple choices of great hiding places then leave him alone. He'll come out hungry hunting early in the morning usually when he is ready to meet you. They are far more intelligent n emotionally complicated animals than all the other reptiles I have kept. My beadeds n Gilas surprise me all the time as I learn new things about them hands on. Good luck n be careful.....peace

Thanks Dennis. Its a cute kind of anger...if you know what I mean. At what age do they tend to calm down significantly? (I realize that it's a gradual thing). My Gila is 15 months old.

In my experience, my animals mellow out as they approach close to adult size which varies a lot on invidual animals for me but around 2-4 years. They get comfortable with home and confident in thier defensive ability about then for me n usually shed the Napoleonic drama some. In a way they are like people. Very individual n not ever totally predictable. Some my animals are always mean, some seasonally mean, some docile n some usually docile but provoked sometimes by my dogs or birds!lol

Personally I would never trust a Gila or Beaded not to bite me. I've notice although apparently more aggressive Beadeds bluff more n calm down to situations faster for me. When my Gilas do
get mad they mean it. Several times I've had animals charge my hands n make very deliberate attempts to bite me. My biggest male beadeds have given me reality checks a few times now n strike me closed mouth with a recognizable force on my forarms as I've cleaned them. Not certain if they know the gloves don't go that high or if its coincidence but they rarely even try in bite my gloves.

Laters

Again, thanks for your good information.

I'm facinated with my Gila. I've kept a lot of reptiles in my life.

I'm interested to know what you would say are the *main differences* between Gilas and Beadeds behaviorally and in terms of taking care of them. I already know the difference in size.

Scott

I have a few beaded's that are nearly a year old & one is kinda of calm but the other is pretty mean . Seems liked they switched places as days go on . They will not try & bite my tongs , wood or anything that I put near their faces but my hand or finger's they will bite . I'm not sure but I believe they know the difference , very smart & nosy . My beaded's are sloowww & Lazy . Only to move to drink , eat , & to " explore briefly " .