asphyxia starting to behave?

asphyxia · 11-20-02, 06:47 PM

I am trying to type with her on my other hand.

She is comming around, although its a still bit scarry getting her out of the cage.

she was striking at the glass when my wife was near her needless to say it scarred ths ****out of her.

Ok, now for a couple of questions...you all let me know if I am being a pain in the ***

When can I expect her to be like Monty my ball Python?

How long should she be handled every nite? I am now at about 20 minutes untill she seems to of had enough

regards
Brian

rattekonigin · 11-20-02, 07:01 PM

I handle my boa nearly everyday, for around 5-10 minutes, he still hisses like mad when I take him out, but he's generally even tempered and calms down within a few minutes. They only act like that when they're little, because they're afraid. I'd say handle her for short periods daily (excluding a few days after feedings) and she should calm down considerably. Don't expect her to be rainbows and lollipops right away, but with age she'll get better...and another benefit to lots of handling is that you can get used to her manerisms and you won't be so frightened of her. It is startling when they strike, but getting bitten isn't really all that bad...and I do believe that the snake can sense when you're afraid of it. My friend has a texas rat snake that she rarely handles because it strikes at her and is generally ill tempered, but when I was over at her place, I just reached in, picked him up and handled him like I would any of my snakes, even gave him a bath, and he was just fine.

P.S. I just remembered...the snakes always seem to be better to handle during the day, when they're asleep...they don't seem to be as alert, and therefore, they don't seem to be nearly as pissy as when being handled in the evening...

Tim_Cranwill · 11-20-02, 07:02 PM

It sounds like you're on the right track. There's not much else you can do about it. She's gonna be the snake she's gonna be and that might never be like a ball python.

And you're not being a pain

Lisa · 11-20-02, 08:14 PM

Our Burmese pythons hiss a little when we get them out of the cage, they've gotten better with daily handling, but if we miss a day or 2 they get hissy again.

Edwin · 11-20-02, 08:23 PM

My boa was really nippy when I first got her, but everytime she nipped at me, I refused to let her go and held her for even longer. She has now learned that nipping does not improve matters and has stopped. She is quite docile, apart from the occasional hiss.

Another method which I have seen people do is to cool the terrarium before handling their snakes. This makes the snake eager to be held because of your body warmth.

Just keep at it and I am sure that your boa will come around.

Dom · 11-20-02, 09:10 PM

well my rock python, i have been taken her out of her cage almost evereyday for anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour and she still is determine to kill me .. it is the most vicious snake i have ever encountered .. i love it if my problem was a bit of hissing .. lol

Best of luck to you guys .. She attacks anything .. including inanimate objects!

asphyxia · 11-21-02, 10:45 AM

Thanks rattekonigin, and all for the feed back all,

Hey Edwin how much does it hurt and how many times did she bit ya?

Doms, will she ever settle down I wish you luck

B

AstroZombie · 11-23-02, 09:29 PM

lol Dom,

your Rock sounds like my male Hog Island Boa when he's in "feed mode"....he gets that old wide eyed look and will try and eat the darn hook...but at least he's as sweet as pie for the next 5 days

Anyone else with Hoggs notice their "feed mode" one track mind?

Jenn

Edwin · 11-24-02, 09:48 AM

I got tagged say six or seven times total in the first 3 months I got her, and it did not hurt at all. Just a drop or two of blood. I was more surprised at the speed and distance of her strike.

I am sure that your boa will calm down eventually.

Linds · 11-25-02, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AstroZombie
Anyone else with Hoggs notice their "feed mode" one track mind?

Jenn,
Hogs are notoroius for their feeding behaviours. They all seem to posess that one-track mind. I know mine is sweet as pie out of her cage but the whole time she's in it she's striking at any movement around it, and just wants to eat! :flick:

asphyxia · 11-25-02, 08:28 PM

Remind me not to get a hog,

Clownfishie · 11-25-02, 09:21 PM

LOL

No kidding!

Best of luck with your baby -- I'm sure that she'll settle down a bit in no time...

Lisa · 11-25-02, 09:58 PM

Is it any worse then a king or a burm's feeding one track mind? "Mmmm i smell mouse!!! Chomp!"

nuno · 11-25-02, 11:07 PM

I have nevever been hissed or struck at yet!! I handle my snakes alot and they never even flintch. when I try to put them int their cage they'll do anything to avoid going back, not all Hogs are the same...I hope.

J.Monaghen · 11-26-02, 02:10 PM

My colombian is the same way as Nuno's. There have been evenings where I have had her out and handled for almost 2 hours. She is content to hang over my shoulders, tuck her tail inside a warm flannel shirt and watch T.V.

Then she will lock on as hard as she can in order to avoid going back into her enclosure. Maybe Delilah just loves to be handled, but she has never hissed, struck, or done anything to make me second guess her behavior.

I guess I got a good one! Good luck, I hope your friend calms down.

Joe