My big disappointment.....

[L.West]

As I posted on this forum about my excitement to add two RTB's to my existing two Ball Pythons - well, I got them and now am regretting doing it.

I don't know if I got sooo used to my two bp's that are absolutely the most friendly, docile creatures you could ask for. I strictly keep my snakes for pets so friendliness is very important.

So anyway, I got the RTB's and am not thrilled with their demeanor - they tend to be very pissy and will not hesitate to strike at me. When I do manage to get them out of their enclosure - they flail around at first to the point where I can barely hold on to them and they are only 4-5feet long at this point - I can't imagine if they act like this when they are 6-7 feet long. I live alone so I have to be able to handle my pets on my own.

I called a breeder friend of mine and discussed the situation with him - he did say that he would swap the boas out for another bp that I want - I feel bad doing this but at this point I am not enjoying the boas at all - I've had them now for three months.

Any advice or helpful suggestions or maybe some support in my decision to swap the boas out for a more manageable bp.

Thanks everyone.

[ed4281]

I would trade them for the BP, but I am not a fan of the large snakes. Honestly though I would try handling them more first, Then if its not really gonna work trade. I wouldnt have a pet that I am afraid of.

[Aleria]

This is one of the biggest reasons I've found that when getting into the larger snakes for the first time you should start off with neos. If you jump right into getting one that is already 4-5' long then you really have no control over how it was raised or handled previously, thus can end up with a really pissy large snake that can do some damage.
I purchased both of my rtbs as babies and neither of them give me any attitude. And at 8' and 20 lbs for my largest rtb I am very glad of that because there is no way someone of my size could handle a snake that large going crazy on me.
So I wouldn't necessarily let these current rtbs turn you off of them completely. But maybe consider starting off with neos and raising them up yourself so you can actually control them and end up with large docile rtbs rather than psychotic hissy ones.

[Danounet]

I've read a lot that turning a boa into a more mellow snakes is a slow rewarding process. Sure some people luck out and get a mellow boa right of the bat, but there are always the more "wild" ones.

In the other hand the last BP I purchased, a Fire Female, she is 200g of pure EVIL!. I had never heard a snake hiss before, I been keeping snakes for 1+ year. She hisses all the time and when she doesn't hiss, she is trying to run away.

I think with every snake you purchase there is always the chance of a long term "mellowing" process. Anyways, I'm liking dealing with an "Angry Snake" I think it teaches a lot of what a snake really is, not the cute reptiles pups WE want them to be...

[L.West]

Thanks to ed4281 and Aleria for your insight. I am waiting to see what the breeder has to offer me in trade - and then I will make my decision. I do think I would have better luck in raising one up from a baby but I didn't have a small enough cage - which is why I went with an already established 2 year old. Live and learn I guess.

I am very happy with my bp's so I do think I will stick with them - a little easier for me to handle by myself in the long term.

[Aleria]

As a note, a baby boa will do fine in the same size cage as any size bp(unless of course you use massive cages for your adults), at least in my experience.
Hopefully working with that breeder will help you make your decision.

[L.West]

danounet, I do worry about having the bad luck of my next bp having an attitude - my first two were such good pets - never any aggression.

I am sooo torn because if I thought I could turn these two RTB's around - I think I would give it a try. They arent horrible - but they do have the tendency to "s" up and prepare to strike when I reach in to get them to the point where I get a snake hook to move them closer to the door and then reach in and get them - at this point is where they try like hell to escape - my bp's never do that.

[L.West]

To Aleria, the only size cages I have are the RBI cages. I have 3' x 2' and
4' x 2' - would the 3' size work if I supplied ample hides and greenery??

I thought I read that baby RTB's were very snippy - was this false information.

Thx

[L.West]

Just another thought - if I do decide to get a bp - what moderately priced morph do you guys think would be a good addition. I currently have a male Ghost and a female Normal.

Keep in mind - I do not intend to breed - just pets.

Thanks.

[Danounet]

danounet, I do worry about having the bad luck of my next bp having an attitude - my first two were such good pets - never any aggression.

I am sooo torn because if I thought I could turn these two RTB's around - I think I would give it a try. They arent horrible - but they do have the tendency to "s" up and prepare to strike when I reach in to get them to the point where I get a snake hook to move them closer to the door and then reach in and get them - at this point is where they try like hell to escape - my bp's never do that.

Have you noticed any improvements?