[Handling] 6'+ Boa interested in faces

[motorhead1980]

Just wondering is anyone else has a Boa like this? I have an approx 6-7' male Boa that I handle twice a week, he is very tame and came from another owner who handled him alot.

When I take him out he is very active, and loves to get right in your face or very close to it. Being that he is strong and I'm fairly new to larger snakes, which is the best way to handle this?

Any tips to handling large strong Boa's? as he seems to go where he wants, and at times it can be difficult to control without forcing him, which I don't want to do. I basically just try to guide his front section.

I'm not scared, but at times it can be a bit un-nerving, as well as to other people who like to get close to him.

Thanks!

[tsblair]

Re: 6'+ Boa interested in faces

Sometimes you have to use a little force to keep them away from your head. I always keep one hand around the neck area of the snake so I can guide him/her to where I want them to be. There is no excuse for getting bit on the face. Always handle with two hands and if you want a selfie, have someone take it for you.

Not only is two hands on the snake at all times safer for you, but also safer for the snake. It prevents the opportunity for the snake to "take flight" because you can feel the motion of the snake throughout its entire body.

[motorhead1980]

Re: 6'+ Boa interested in faces

I always keep two hands on him, I just didn't know how forceful to be, when you are trying to guide them in a certain direction. I also finds he always wants to go around the back of me. So it's either around my waist or up over my shoulder.

He is alot of fun, just a handful

[Jrock23]

Re: 6'+ Boa interested in faces

Your head is 8 degrees warmer then your body so yes, most snakes tend to go towards the head area. My argentine boa loves to go to my head to rest LOL. But it is always best to have caution cause at time i do think that i might get bite in the face. Usually when my snakes try to go to my head, i tell them NO and they be slick and go to the back of my neck and go towards my head. Or maybe your snake want to give you a kiss!

[dumboa]

Re: 6'+ Boa interested in faces

Follow what [MENTION=8640]tsblair[/MENTION] suggested and you should be fine

[zamora]

Re: 6'+ Boa interested in faces

I have a couple of larger boas that can be quite a handful for one person, sometimes it's best to have two people just in case. Actually, my husband and I have what we call a 'Five foot rule', anything over five feet, there must be both of us present to take them out for handling. Neither of us care to be a statistic.

That being said, all of mine will calm right down when I give them my 'snake massage'. I'll have to get a video of that.

[motorhead1980]

Re: 6'+ Boa interested in faces

Is there anybody out there who handles these larger snakes alone? I would like to at some point, but their strength is pretty incredible at times, and I would rather play it safe. Although having two people around limits the amount of handling, as I would like to get him out more then twice a week.

I always have a friend of mine with me when I take him out, normally he checks things out and then straight up to one of our heads or faces. Where as the little 9 month old Boa i have who is also very tame wants nothing to do with anything higher then my chest.

Thanks for the info, just wanted to see if it was as common as I thought.

[Noelle7206]

Re: 6'+ Boa interested in faces

Is there anybody out there who handles these larger snakes alone?.....

I kept a (rescued) BCI for some 12+ years when she got to 7.5' long. I'd never planned or wanted a boa that size and even though I felt comfortable handling her I felt it was best that she move in with some younger

friends who are more into large snakes. I did handle her alone...though I agree with zamora's post about the 5' rule. That rule varies depending on your size, strength & 'comfort' level...ANYtime you feel you need another

person to help, you do. Please use good judgement about that...snakes that don't want to fall can grab you forcefully...& snakes that smell food...well, just don't go there! They often do not differentiate between where

the scent is coming from and whatever warm-wiggling thing they are hanging onto...it's nothing personal, it's just normal snake behavior...so YOU have to do the thinking.


My BCI was feisty as a yearling when I took her in, but in a few months she calmed down with me. I never had even one bite from her in all those years. She too liked to climb on my head (for warmth and just something

to hang onto!) and she was quite relaxed near my face. I should note that I never had 'rat-breath' though...LOL! Do remember that snakes are very keen for the tiniest bit of prey scent that might be lingering. Your boa

sounds like he is quite friendly but never (NEVER!) let him loop all the way around your neck, just in case he decides to "hang on tightly" for whatever reason...keeping one hand in that loop is not likely enough, as they are

SO very strong.

[natieb]

Re: 6'+ Boa interested in faces

A good rule of thumb is: don't let the toothy end too close to anything you don't want bitten, and don't wrap them around your neck. Like [MENTION=8640]tsblair[/MENTION] said, it's just a matter of using both hands to guide them toward or away from where you want them to be. The more you handle them, the more comfortable you'll get with their movements.

[dumboa]

Re: 6'+ Boa interested in faces

I have always heard that any snake over 9 foot you should consider having 2 people. But if you feel it is too powerful, make sure you have a second person with you. Better safe than sorry. Even if the second person is just there to watch and make sure everything is good.

[BoigaBoid]

Re: 6'+ Boa interested in faces

Is he head shy or no? Meaning does he tolerate being touched on his head?

If he's not shy then you should have no problem having one hand right behind his head controlling his movement. You won't be able to train him to avoid your head, instead you'll have to simply learn to control him. Like you said, its important to learn how to do this especially when other people are present who may want to hold him.

[motorhead1980]

Re: 6'+ Boa interested in faces

Had time out on the weekend, as tried to be a little more forceful keeping his head away. It worked great, he is not head shy at all, I can basically have my hand a few inches behind his. He also allows me to actually cup his head in my hand,and rests it there.

I'm getting the hang of it now!!

[Jrock23]

Re: 6'+ Boa interested in faces

Yes it is better to have 2 people when handling bigger snakes. At 18 years of age for me, was handling my 10 ft burmese python all by myself but i always had my older brother around just to watch and help monitor but never helped me handle the snake. He told me i wanted the snake at a younger age so i had to learn everything he teach me and how to be comfortable and not scared. So yes i am comfortable handling bigger snakes by myself but i always have to have help around just in case. But now i am pretty much able to do it by myself. My brother has been have reticulated pythons, boas and anacondas by his self for over 25 years. Yes he has my burmese python and wont give her back, yes i think i`m going to have to kick his butt to get my snake back LOL..

[Fender09]

Re: 6'+ Boa interested in faces

I wouldn't be concerned, he's just tasting you. He will probably stop in time but if he's new he's just getting to know you and your scent. My sisters hatchling ball python does this all the time.


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