going back in cage

CHRISSA · #1 04-12-2005, 12:33 PM

Does anyone have any suggestions about getting my boa back in the cage? Everytime I try and put basil back he wraps around my arm, or just streches so his nose is in the air. Last night I was trying to unwind him and get him back in. I managed to get him off me, but then when I put the top back on he kept pushing it up with his nose. I gently nudged his nose down and again tried to put on the top. This time his nose got caught in the top and I pinched him! I felt so bad. No blood, no visual injury, but I know it had to hurt. Does anyone else have a problem like this?

cherrykasper · #2 04-12-2005, 12:38 PM

Sesha's redtail does it constantly... And my girl, Lexx, does it too, only she's not really big enough to resist too that degree... Best thing I can offer is to have the tank open and ready... Hold your snake by both ends so that you can manipulate how it moves and place him in. The whole door thing you really just have to find what works. It's a timing thing that will hopefully get better over time... Try putting him in the tank head first so that his head is farther away from the door.

RobbinLara · #3 04-12-2005, 12:55 PM

I'm guessing you have a screen top? Open one end and put your snake's head over to the middle ...let him slide in at his speed...they usually scramble like that because they feel off balance.

davidag02 · #4 04-12-2005, 01:11 PM

It also helps if there is something in the cage for them to grab onto like a branch or something. If you can get them into the cage enough and get them to grab onto it instead of you... then its smooth sailing.

CHRISSA · #5 04-12-2005, 01:38 PM

I know it doesn't help that I am 1/2 retarded when it comes to holding basil. It just seems like he is 1 step ahead of me.

I get his head in, he is strangling my arm. I get him off my arm and his head is halfway out of the cage. :/ I have a branch, but the problem is he acts like he doesn't want to go back in. yes temps and humidity are correct! I can't wait for summer. maybe if he has more play time he will be tired and want to go back in! Tonight i will try and hold him head and tail. i have never done that. I always kind of hold him like a baby.

Seshashadow · #6 04-12-2005, 01:41 PM

lol, my baby does does have a habit of fighting going back in the tank. I find getting him to coil around my wrist then slipping him off like a manacle as a lump in the bottom of the cage works. . . it's usually great unless he decides to deathgrip my wrist in which case my hand changes colors. . .

Namazu · #7 04-12-2005, 07:20 PM

I don't know if this means anything. Shampoo used to protest vigorously whenever I was putting her back in the glass/screen topped cage. But since I'm keeping her in a Boaphile she crawls into her home peacefully on her own every time. It's easy to see how life in a cave is more relaxing to a Boa than life in a fishbowl.

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Doug · #8 04-12-2005, 08:21 PM

hi,
Wait til he puts some weight on and has a real problem with cage a phobia, my guyana really hate going back I can usally peel them off but they always try and come back on me or escape to the corner , jeeze will you stop that...Back you boa back....
Doug
here's one giving me a hard time changing the water and paper and they say snakes don't want to be held..

dmtownse · #9 04-12-2005, 11:36 PM

doug, that's flippin hilarious! seriously lmao, love the picture. My method for little pablo(who isn't really so little anymore) is to sorta gently guide his head to one of his hide openings into which he usually retreats slowly. Hope this helps.

RobbinLara · #10 04-12-2005, 11:43 PM

hey I LIKE that shelf! That's pretty innovative Doug! I might have to copycat that idea. But I'll credit it to you k lol...BTW...I saw a Hog for sale for $100...are they usually that cheap?? It looked like a baby!