Boa behavior

[jokersjinx632]

Hi there. I had a quetion about a boas behavior. Ihave had my boa for many months now. I hold him often. Sometimes he will lay on my stomach and i will rub hishead for hours. And god forbid if I stop he will actually start hissing at me lol. But anyway when I hold him and my girlfriend goes to rub him like on his mid section he turns his head around so fast like he is gonna mess her hand up and of course she jerks her hand back not knowing what he is gonna do. Does anyone know what this fast jerk my mean?? thanks!

[Red]

Re:Boa behavior

Some snakes take a while to trust people... Just kinda how they are...
I have a snake that was nice one day and then one he was mean has been that way ever since... No amount of holding seems to work with this lil' one... Snakes have there very one personal behavoir.. So I would not worry to much about just keep holding the lil' guy and it will calm down in the long run I bet....
Eric aka....Red

[jokersjinx632]

Re:Boa behavior

He used to be mean but has gotten really tame. It just freaks her out when he will whip his head around like that. I wasn't sure what he mean't by it. If he was investigating or he was mad or it scared him. He is very sweet. I shower with him every other day. i have a hammock in there he sits in. He just loves it lol. And yes I take showers everyday lol. My ball goes on the days the red tail isn't in with me :-) Thanks!

[XzyluM]

Re:Boa behavior

Could have been a reaction or just something that was annoying him. I doubt he was trying to strike, because if he was, he would have whether she jerked her hand back or not. I've seen snakes that do similiar things when touched in certain areas.

[BMoore]

Re:Boa behavior

I noticed when I touch the midsection of my snakes a few days after they eat, they jerk like that prolly because they are unomfortable. And my biggest snake does not lik eher tail touched. I've heard that snakes have deep nerves so if your touching the snake ever-so- lightly, maybe your actually suprising it our tickling it? Just my 2 cents. ;D

**Beth**

[redtailedmel]

Re:Boa behavior

shower with your snakes now that sounds like an obsession, hehe mine get a squirt bottle bath or they play in the tub alone not with momma thats for sure LOL

[sclark]

Re:Boa behavior

Hey JJ,

I won't comment of the shower part.. it is kind of funny, but I guess its not the worse thing you could do, just hope you never get bit in the shower.. Ouch..

OK.. Some boas get possesive to what they are hanging on, you in this case.. Takes some work, but the best thing for your GF to do when the boa reacts this way is to pick him up and hold her.. Let her hold him more. It could have been a sensitive area she touched and the snake got defensive. But like said above if the snake really wanted to tag her, she would have took the bite. The snake can tag faster then she can pull away..

Good luck and keep us posted..
Steve

[jokersjinx632]

Re:Boa behavior

lol I hope i nevr get tagged again period lol. He actually loves the shower. I don't wash him or hit him with direct water he just sits in his hammock. I take hot showers and the steam does wonders for him. Last time hewas sheeding I took him in there and he started shedding right in there. I just rolled the skin right off. I think I will have her start holding him more. Hopefully that will work. She actually didn't get to touch him before he snapped his head around. Thanks for the info though!

[sclark]

Re:Boa behavior

Sounds like a possesion issue.. I would let your GF hold him more.. Let him have a bond with her.. Should do wonders..

As far as a tg. if you own snakes long enough, it will happen. Its really not as bad as people think it is.. As long as its not the face, it will bleed for a little bit, and in a couple days you will barley be able to see it.. Only does damage if you tank back at the time he tags.. If it does happle, just clean with some peroxide and double check the area to make sure no teeth stayed in your skin. Its normal for alittl puffy feeling, but if it swells bad, get to a Dr. 1 out of 50,000 have a slight reaction to the snakes saliva..

Good luck
Steve

[jokersjinx632]

Re:Boa behavior

He has tagged me once the lip and that bled forever lol. I hope never again. Did u everfind anything out on the western hognose stuff?

[sclark]

Re:Boa behavior

JJ,

Thats right. I remember now. I thought we spoke before.. You were looking for breeders of the hoggnose, that was the question right? If I remember right, Lee on this forum came across two in a local shop by him, real cheap...

The main breeder I knew who had some, is till out.. No word if he has any babies coming.. But I did come across a place that had feeder toads.. Gotta find the link again..

Steve

[___LEE___]

Re:Boa behavior

actually i know a breeder that has a little over 80 western hognoses and some eggs still in the incubator he is letting them go for 50 a piece let me know i can get u the info and he does ship.

LEE

[jokersjinx632]

Re:Boa behavior

Yeah Steve you said u were gonna have ur friend look up all kinda info and stuff. Send me that toad link. Lee how much does he charge for shipping? Find that out for me. Thanks!

[___LEE___]

Re:Boa behavior

i sure will actually let me get his card and i will im you his info and u can call and talk to him personally he is also who i get all my rats and mice from he has a business on the side selling rats and mice as well as his hognoses. real cool guy. i am sure shipping should be no more than 35-40 for overnight but i dont know who he goes through i will get u that info though. lol

LEE

[jokersjinx632]

Re:Boa behavior

ok thanks alot. i just need to find a place to get toads lol. I may not be able to get one until september. Does he sex them at all? Thanks!