Taming a new snake questions :)

[Zelica]

Ok i have questions on ways to tame our new snake..

we had a rough start the first day he hissed an struck at me that was 2 weeks ago this Saturday.

we fed him this Sunday and i moved him from his tank to a feeder tank it was a fast move an he did good he was good for the move back as well when he was done eating.

today i reached in with gloves on and kinda petted him he moved away scared but no hissing an i just let him go, a few min later he was back up in same spot so i reached in to try to pick him up as i tried to uncoil him from his tree he hissed at me so i let him go..

So i guess my question is how often should i try to hold him? is what i have done so far a good idea? and any other suggestions to try and get this little guy to get more comfortable.

[MSwift]

Re: Taming a new snake questions

ya like you said handling is the only thing that will calm him down so 2-3 times a week if you have time is what i do (again if i have time) and all mine but one are nice and calm I'm trying to work with her

[Zelica]

Re: Taming a new snake questions

I need a Snake taming class to take him to like dog training class LOL...

Is petting him in tank OK since he seemed kinda ok with that well he didn't hiss anyway but is it going to help at all?

[bebowebb]

Re: Taming a new snake questions

One thing that you might try is removing the tree from his enclosure.

Taking a bite from a baby boa is usually less than a mere scratch and the anxiety is more from the psychological effect of getting bit versus the physical part of the bite itself.

Some people recommend just taking hold and removing the boa from the enclosure. If you get bit, you at least get it out of the way and the boa will eventually be less adapt to bite when being picked up.

The use of the tree will hender your ability to pick up your boa easily as it is able to coil around the tree.

However, keep in mind that there are some times when your boa simply will not want to be held. Also keep in mind that a defensive bite can be stressful to your animal and if he maintains that demeanor once you have him out of the cage then he may need some 'alone' time to calm back down.

Just remember that 'taming' a fiesty boa takes time. Don't get frustrated with him and try to keep yourself from becoming apprehensive. The snake will be able to sense your anxiety and will react differently than if you were handling it with a calm and confident demeanor.

Good luck and just keep at it!

[shogun678]

Re: Taming a new snake questions

Using a snake hook to remove him from the cage wouldn't be a bad idea. Usaully they are cage defensive but fine once you have them out.. Most of the time that is.

[zamora]

Re: Taming a new snake questions

As one who had never been bitten - EVER - until this past August--I got a snippy little dude. Every time I tried to hold him, take him out, clean his cage....anything at all, he bit. No hissing, no warning, just right out tagged me. Trust me, it doesn't hurt at all. Now once I had him out he usually calmed down--usually.
I kept the handling sessions short like less than 5 minutes and eventually could start extending them a little more each week. Now at almost three months later, he seems to like (?) getting out of his enclosure and seems happy to hang out with me for a half an hour to 45 minutes. I watch him closely and always return him to his enclosure while he is being good.
Stick with it and don't worry-you will join the "Team of the Tagged" eventually--just go ahead and get it over with!

[Kaiyudsai]

Re: Taming a new snake questions

You said this boa has only been there for two weeks right??? Some boas take a month or more to settle in and get used to their new surroundings... I would leave him alone for a while so it can get comfortable with its area... If this boa isnt settled in and keeps geeting pulled out of the cage it will take longer for it to acclimate and put alot of stress on him

[Ace of Snakes]

Re: Taming a new snake questions

I rotate holding my collection and it works well. I try to hold them each about 15 minutes 3 days a week. I know they can go longer but usually I am done holding them by then unless I sit them in my lap while on the computer or watching t.v.

[jgonzalez305]

Re: Taming a new snake questions

Yeah... I would say give him more time to settle in and get rid of the tree for now...maybe hes not too comfortable with his surroundings yet...your handling of him needs to be as least stressful on him that it can be. when hes in the tree he in his comfort zone and here you come and all he sees are these big finger looking things uncoiling him from his chill spot...

Just leave his hide and water dish..

When you see him out of his hide crawling around and smelling, usually after he's just fully digested his food....This is a good time or your window of opportunity...

if he now does not come out of the hide...then just go in quick and pick him up...i use the hide to block the view of my hands going to grab him...

hold him for 5 min then next time 10 and stay at only 10 until your comfortable...

[Pandorasdad]

Re: Taming a new snake questions

ya like you said handling is the only thing that will calm him down so 2-3 times a week if you have time is what i do (again if i have time) and all mine but one are nice and calm I'm trying to work with her

Yup. Just keep handleing him. Keep the sessions short at first. 5 min. or so. This may require a blood sacrifice, but from a baby, it's not so bad.

Is petting him in tank OK since he seemed kinda ok with that well he didn't hiss anyway but is it going to help at all?

I wouldn't do that. Just take him out and let him calm down. Most of the time they calm down after a few min.

Using a snake hook to remove him from the cage wouldn't be a bad idea. Usaully they are cage defensive but fine once you have them out.. Most of the time that is.

The only reason I wouldn't suggest using a hook is that as he gets older, a hook will hurt him. Don't become reliant on the hook. I use mine for my rat snake. The only time the boa encounters it is when I remove un-eaten prey from her cage.

[MonsterBoas]

Re: Taming a new snake questions

You know what was pretty cool, I had a younger gentleman take care of one on my severly mean demeanor Boas because he wanted experience with aggressive snakes. He took it in and did everything just right. Well I picked it up a couple days ago and you know what, this kid taught me alot about snake handling. This snake came back and can actually be free handled without a glove! He is writing me a Boa Care essay and I cant wait to share his experience with everyone. One thing I can tell everyone, handling is the key!

-Rob

[Zelica]

Re: Taming a new snake questions

Thanks everyone so much for all the posts my biggest problem is my fear of them, about 1 an a half months ago i wouldn't come within 5 feet of a snake i was afraid of them till we got our girls i have gotten much better at handling them i wear gloves to remove them from the tanks and then take the gloves off after awhile i am afraid of getting bit i know it will happen but i am more afraid i will jerk and hurt him because i am jumpy i will remove the tree an attempt the short little sessions every other day for awhile he comes out every Sunday for feeding as well but i don't hold him long..

[Boa Amarali]

Re: Taming a new snake questions

I agree with handling but only after a nice acclimation period .
He is nervous about his new surroundings. Once he settles in
hands on time will make all the difference