Need Help With My Boa

Danderson · 06-02-10, 05:18 PM

hi i have a female red tail columbian boa who is about a year n a half and just over 6 feet long. everytime i go to get her out of tank its like she feels threatend and looks like she wants to bite as she puts her head where ever my hand goes, is there anyway to make her more friendly and easier to grab and to be more tame

infernalis · 06-02-10, 05:53 PM

Lankyrob · 06-02-10, 05:54 PM

Welcome to the forum - dont grab her!

Try sitting next to her enclosure with it open and see if she will come to you - you may have to repeat this for a few days - say 15 minutes at a time. If nothing else she will get used to how you smell and that you aren't going to attack her.

You dont say how long you have had her for?? IF she is relatively new to your house then she may just be stressed from moving home?

dragunov.762 · 06-02-10, 06:20 PM

i agree with Rob about not grabbing her. you can reach in slowly and see if she gets used to that (wear gloves) and when she is used to you just reaching in and she knows your not a threat gently pick her up. this is not a fast process, i have had a mexican black king snake since feb and he is still flighty

marvelfreak · 06-02-10, 06:21 PM

Hello and welcome! My big jungle does this sometime if i stop moving my hand she crawls right up my arm. Does she ever strike or hiss? She might just be checking you out or know your sent and wanting pick up.

shaunyboy · 06-03-10, 09:09 AM

how long have you had her ?
is she eating ok ?
what size of food item is she getting ?

if you've just got her,id give her a week or 2 of peace and quiet.only changing her water every other day.

if you've had her a while then handle her for 5 minutes every day.except the day she eats and 3 days after her meal.

at first handle her for 5 minutes then put her back in her tank.any longer could lead to stressing her out and putting her off her food.

once she accepts and gets used to you handling her for 5 minutes up the handling time to 10 minutes.

once shes used to 10 minutes up it to 15 minutes.

usually once they are quite happy to let you handle them for 15 minutes they're ok with a little longer.

has she got plenty of hides at both hot and cold ends.also you could throw in some fake silk plants all this will give her places to hide and feel secure.

all the best in getting her calmed down
cheers shaun