Redtail

[onesweetguy632]

As most of you know I have a Redtail boa. I have had him about 2 almost 3 months. About two weeks ago I was holding him and he moved up close to my face and just grabbed ahold of my lip lol. It was rather funny but kinda creepy as to why he would just do that. He always follows my fingers when I am holding him especailly if they get near his face. He has only shown aggression one other time and that was the first day I got him and I knew that was cause he was stressed. I handle him about 3 to 4 times a week usually a few hours each time. I feed him on sunday and I don't handle him until wednesday. Also he isn't always that active. Like I have never seen him just start moving all around his cage like my ball does. And also when he is out he stays generally wrapped around my hand and doesn't wander much. The most he does move is when I try to put him back. He trys his hardest to not go back in. I is the only snake I can sit on the couch and hell be there when I get back. Unlike my ball who would be half way to china. Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions. Thanks!

[sclark]

Re: Redtail

Hi,

That is no fun getting tagged on the lip.. One thing you didn't mention. Did he fully bite your lip and let go, or hold on, or did he just hit your lip with his face?

There could be so many possible reasons he did this. He could have seen your lip move, senced heat and went in for the meal, could be a nervous snake in general and your lip bugged him.. Now I have seen people who have gotten bit on the lip and most were kissing the snake. Hey they are cuddly after all, but kissing is never a great idea. Some people forget they are snakes and not dogs. So if that was the case, just stop kissing him.

Remember snakes don't bite just to bite, they will bite normally for two reasons. Food (some times they don't wait long enough to see its not food) or the get startled. I personally wouldn't lable your snake mean or anything, just keep holding him, let him feel secure when you hold him, and keep him away from your face. Don't get me wrong, I break my own rules all the time, but if I get tagged I blame myself.

Question to think about. Are you feeding him enough? Not sure how big your snake is, but it may need some bigger food..

Good luck with him.

Best Regards
Steve

[onesweetguy632]

Re: Redtail

Hi,

That is no fun getting tagged on the lip.. One thing you didn't mention. Did he fully bite your lip and let go, or hold on, or did he just hit your lip with his face?

There could be so many possible reasons he did this. He could have seen your lip move, senced heat and went in for the meal, could be a nervous snake in general and your lip bugged him.. Now I have seen people who have gotten bit on the lip and most were kissing the snake. Hey they are cuddly after all, but kissing is never a great idea. Some people forget they are snakes and not dogs. So if that was the case, just stop kissing him.

Remember snakes don't bite just to bite, they will bite normally for two reasons. Food (some times they don't wait long enough to see its not food) or the get startled. I personally wouldn't lable your snake mean or anything, just keep holding him, let him feel secure when you hold him, and keep him away from your face. Don't get me wrong, I break my own rules all the time, but if I get tagged I blame myself.

Question to think about. Are you feeding him enough? Not sure how big your snake is, but it may need some bigger food..

Good luck with him.

Best Regards
Steve

No it wasn't fun. It really didn't hurt either. When he bit he bit the right side of my lower lip. He stuck and had atleast one side of teeth get me so he hit on an angle. He held for like 2 seconds and let go. He just moved up to mice which he eats 3 on sundays. I tried for 4 but he was full. And if I do kiss him it's on the mid section when he is not looking. Should I hold him more? Also I know redtails and balls shouldn't be housed together but can they have out time together? I ususally have them both out and they just cuddle up togther on my stomach. They are both hell to deal with outside lol. The will both go opposite ways. Lucky for me my ball is rather thick and easy to spot.

[T.C.]

Re: Redtail

First off DO NOT KISS YOUR SNAKE! That is a great way to get salmonella poisoning. Your snake slithers through its feces and then you pick him up and kiss him. Now you've gone and done it.
As far as the not moving around and staying wrapped around your wrist it sounds like the snake is craving better heat. They are more active when their temps are in the acceptable range. That is common when people think the temps are okay because of the thermometer at the bottom an inch above the heat pad saying the temp is okay, but you need them at each level and another source of heat. I recommend the heat pad used in conjunction with a CHE. Definately watch your humidity levels. You should keep the humidity at the lower end of the acceptable range and raise it to the high end when the snake is in shed. You should end up with an active Boa.

[onesweetguy632]

Re: Redtail

First off DO NOT KISS YOUR SNAKE! That is a great way to get salmonella poisoning. Your snake slithers through its feces and then you pick him up and kiss him. Now you've gone and done it.
As far as the not moving around and staying wrapped around your wrist it sounds like the snake is craving better heat. They are more active when their temps are in the acceptable range. That is common when people think the temps are okay because of the thermometer at the bottom an inch above the heat pad saying the temp is okay, but you need them at each level and another source of heat. I recommend the heat pad used in conjunction with a CHE. Definately watch your humidity levels. You should keep the humidity at the lower end of the acceptable range and raise it to the high end when the snake is in shed. You should end up with an active Boa.

Everything in the tank is fine. I have digital termometers along with digital humitdity guages and a thermostat that runs all the heat sources.

[T.C.]

Re: Redtail

Okay, I just know that is usually the problem. I also have noticed that some of my snakes just get into a pissy mood sometimes just like the women in the world...believe me I know all about that one too! cwm15.gif
Just last month I woke up one day and looked at my fiance' and what did I see b17.gif I was terrified s35.gif I hid under my bed for the rest of that day...LOL ;D

[onesweetguy632]

Re: Redtail

Okay, I just know that is usually the problem. I also have noticed that some of my snakes just get into a pissy mood sometimes just like the women in the world...believe me I know all about that one too!  cwm15.gif
Just last month I woke up one day and looked at my fiance' and what did I see b17.gif  I was terrified s35.gif  I hid under my bed for the rest of that day...LOL ;D

lol I know about that also. The thing was he just seemed fine. Now on sunday he was in a pissy mood. He followed my hand in the S position everywhere. I had to get him out though cause it was feed day. He never sruck at me but he made me rather nervous.

[sclark]

Re: Redtail

Hey again,

Still sounds to me if your boa stays wrapped around your hand that you boa is not feeling secure. I would continue to work with him. Try to keep the holding down to shorter times. Like no more then an hour each time. And if your snake is eating 3 mice, its time to move him to a small rat and try not to give more then 2. Rats have higher meat to them, so it will be better for him in the long run as well. Just keep him away from your face.

Good luck
Steve

[onesweetguy632]

Re: Redtail

Hey again,

Still sounds to me if your boa stays wrapped around your hand that you boa is not feeling secure. I would continue to work with him. Try to keep the holding down to shorter times. Like no more then an hour each time. And if your snake is eating 3 mice, its time to move him to a small rat and try not to give more then 2. Rats have higher meat to them, so it will be better for him in the long run as well. Just keep him away from your face.

Good luck
Steve

There is no way he can eat a small rat. My ball is on small rats and the thickest part on my redtail is about the size of a quarter.

[redtailedmel]

Re: Redtail

bbbbbbaaaaaaaahhhhhlieve me he can my 8 month old baby has a tiny head and he can swallow down a good sized small rat by himself! LOL you may not think it but he can . oh and dont freak out when he looks all deformed hehehee i ordered more from rodent pro and a few were on the big side but still he ate it! no probs just had to strech his skin a bit more thats all. hehe

[T.C.]

Re: Redtail

Remember they can take down prey that in girth is 10 times the size of their head! Rats are more nutritious.

[sclark]

Re: Redtail

Remember that most people seem to gauge the size of the rat when its all curled up with the hunch in its back. I always gauge the size when I hold them by the tail and let the grab onto something and just strech them out some. It will give you a better acturate size to what your boa can eat. I normaly give my snakes rats that are about 25% bigger then they are. Even my 16 inch baby boa that is thinner then a quarter punds down pinkie rats that are about 6 days old. None of my boas, from 16 inch to 7 foot are eacting anything but rats..

Good luck with him.
Steve

[Fonzy]

Re:Redtail

My 21 incher is hammering fuzzy rats with no problem. I totally agree with what everyone else has said; stick with rats, Frozen/Thawed is best, they are safer and healthier in my opinion (and many others too!! ;D).

Jeff

[tatdaddy]

Re:Redtail

I would switch to f/t rats i would try rat pups. You will see a huge difference in your babby boa. As far as him biteing your face it could be because he was hungry. Try to switch him to f/t rats.

TAT

[sclark]

Re:Redtail

Hi onesweetguy632

Keep us updated on how things work out..

Steve