children and boas

[rockysmama]

I just got 5 days ago a six foot red tailed boa.It seems to be adjusting nicely. I built a good habitate for it and it even ate a fresh killed rat for me even though the other owner only fed it live rats, (yes it had been bitten by the live rats :'().It seems real sweet and we have handled it a lot. Some people are saying I shouldn't let my children 12 and 6 handle it cause it could hurt them.Being new to snakes I don't know what's true but my kids love it and want to handle it and there slow and gentle with it. Does anyone have an opinion??

[SaKSTa]

Re: children and boas

Since it is 6 feet long and you just got it I would stay close when the kids handle it and just keep a good eye on them. Always be there cause you dont know what the snakes attitude is since you just got him. Just stay on the safe side for awhile.

[rockysmama]

Re: children and boas

Thank you for your reply.The children are not allowed to handle him without me. I think some people are just paranoid about snakes.

[LORI]

Re: children and boas

The individual snake needs to be taken into account first actually. It's temperament is going to make all the difference in what you do with it around your children.
As for the size of the snake. A 6'er IMO should NOT be handled by a 6 year old really. A 12 year old.. Now that all depends on the kid themself etc.
We have 7 kids here in our home. Ranging in age from 5 up to 15. When it comes to handling the snakes. Given rule here, no matter what is.. No child handles a snake that is in excess of 5' alone until they are over age 14. AND They still jhave to have a "spotter" for handling the snake even anyways. BTW.. They are only allowed to handle the snakes at age 14 even that are not larger than like 8'ers even.
AND Those are only the boas even or the colubrids. The burms are a whole different thing.
Gotta teach your children how to properly handle a snake first anyways, a BOA that is 5' is not the right one to do this with IMO.

[kahaj]

Re: children and boas

I have mixed feelings here. For 2-3 weeks, I don't think the kids should handle the snake. Interact while an adult holds, sure. W/out knowing it's temperment, it could strike much more quickly then you could prevent. This large of a bite would be a bad deal. Once you know it's temperment, I don't see any issues with the kids holding it, but only with adults near --especially the 6 yr old.

That's my 2 cents on it.

[stormyva]

children and boas

My opinion... for what it's worth .....
Get to know the snake before allowing the children to "handle" it. Allowing interaction with the snake while you are holding is fine but until you have a VERY good idea as to how the snake is going to act while being held and exercised it is best to play it safe.
I would not allow any "younger" children to handle a 5' or larger snake unless you have at least one hand on the snake. My five year old is not permitted to handle anything over 3' unless I have one hand on the snake. He is allowed to have our 6' BCI to crawl around with him on the floor and couch, but only when I am within an arms length from him. For older children and even most adults I would not allow handling of a large snake unless there is someone there to act as a spotter. Call me over cautious but I like to play it safe

[Doug]

Re: children and boas

Hi,
I am  surprised how strong a 6 foot boa is. I would like to suggest , that you make it a rule no snakes out , unless an adult is present.. My 23 y/o daughter who's held numerous pythons was alarmed by the weight and strenght of my 2y/o Guyana.
 She was surprised and alarmed she dang near scared the poo out of my guyana . I think the snake sensed her fear and was afraid something was after them...   She didn't hiss or strike but became extremly tense and wouldn't release her grip of my daughter arms and leg with her tail , and it took myself and my daughters boy friend to remove the snake , before the snake got hurt..   Geeze guess who can't hold my snake any more..  Dang nab kids..
    Here's the baby snake.. hehe see's barely 6 ft..
 
psps thsi was taken a month after the incident i never hold my snakes after feeding for at least three days.
  She's looking a little full she ate the day before the pic.. urrrrrrppp! rudee was pre-shed and would'nt eat so I didn't want to toss the rat she's already gone down since the pic.
doug
   

[rockysmama]

Re: children and boas

Thanks all for your expert opinions.I would never let the kids interreact with Rocky unless me or DAD were there.Plus me or dad are the only ones who are allowed to open his habitat and take him out. We have other pets that Rocky could be a threat to (my "baby" ;D 5 month old amazon for one).As far as Rocky's temperment goes he is a sweetheart.I'm falling for him in a big way.He loves to be petted and he's gentle but I can feel the strength in him and I know I have to respect that. He recently went through a shed and didn't want to be disturbed during it so we just left him alone ( except for misting and water changing ). After his shed he was back to greeting me at the door ;D

[Red]

Re: children and boas

Well I have to say be very carful... I let my lil' nephue hold my snakes well not hold but pet and stuff like that... But I would never let a kid that was not mine or related to me hold any of my snakes.. I had a friend that almost lost his kid because his burm (which was only 24" long at the time...) Got out some how and some how protective services got ahold of the story They came and took his 6 month old baby away for like a week... before they actuly investigated... And found out that it had happend when they where gone on a trip and his friend that was taking care of it was holding him and fell asleep... They really stress out over boas and pythons... I would be very care ful with that six year old... Make sure it knows not to go talking about how the snake can crush thing or how it may of got out... Because child servises takes first and investagates later...
Eric aka...Red