agressiveness help?

[SAMPSON-BP]

Ok so I was at the pet store today buying some mice for my bp's and (like eveyone else) looked at all the snakes. The first one that I stopped to look at was a 2'-3' boa, he was active and watching me so I moved my finger along the front of the tank and the next thing I know my heart skips a beat as his head slams into the glass! Talking to the people that work there it's been the friendliest snake up until 2 days ago, if someone wanted to hold a snake they'd either take him or the ball python out. Now he strikes at anything that comes within 6" of the tank, and is constantly coiled and ready to strike.

He's in a 25"x14" aquarium, bark mulch type substrate, water dish, heat lamp, no hide. I told the put him in a dark low traffic area cause he's probably stressed, or put a hide in/cover the tank where it is.

Did he just get stressed cause there's no where to hide? every other snake(except 6 or so big ones) have hides in their tanks.

I'm curious cause it sounds like they'll buy some baby balls from me if the 2 new girls I'm getting lay, so I might ask to do a trade for him, but I'm worried about that if he stays this agressive...

Any ideas would be great, thanks.

[llovelace]

They can develop cage aggression, I have one that was extremely aggressive while in his tank, to the point where I had to cover it with a towel, but he was puppy dog tame out of the cage.

[SpiffyYoshi]

There is no such thing as cage aggression, or aggression in general when it comes to snakes. The animal is either being defensive or has an aggressive feeding response. Was he just fed? If so he could have still just been in "feeding mode." My milk snake does the same thing after feeding. Pet stores don't use hides sometimes because the animal is more likely to sell if people can see it. I think it is a bit cruel. You may have a hard time getting him to eat for you if you take him home since he is probably already stressed.

[SAMPSON-BP]

The store has just gotten into reptiles, they were just doing fish before, and really are trying their hardest to care for their animals properly. Like I said the majority of the snakes and other critters do have hides, they just didn't seem to have anything big enough on hand to put in there for the big ones..and I don't think anyone wanted to stick their hand in there ayways lol. He was fed twice before he started doing this, but why would it just start now?

[Vypyrz]

The store has just gotten into reptiles, they were just doing fish before, and really are trying their hardest to care for their animals properly. Like I said the majority of the snakes and other critters do have hides, they just didn't seem to have anything big enough on hand to put in there for the big ones..and I don't think anyone wanted to stick their hand in there ayways lol. He was fed twice before he started doing this, but why would it just start now?

The boa is probably just stressed. They are more aware, curious, and reactive to movement. If the store has anything like a small litter box for cats, they can simply cut a hole in the end or side and it will make a good hide. If they don't have anything like that, they can get one at Wal-Mart for just a few dollars...

[Crazy4Herps]

The fact that the boa's head actually slammed into the glass leads me to believe it was a simple instance of cage aggression, which is common in even the friendliest of boas (which is why hook training is such a great thing!). If it was a defensive strike, the boa probably wouldn't have slammed into the glass.

However, the pet store's claim that this is a new and recurring behavior for this snake indicates that it is not cage aggression and is instead a reaction to stress, which is also very likely. Tell the pet store that boas NEED hides--and a cage cover or dark area is never a substitute for a snug hiding place!

I'm curious cause it sounds like they'll buy some baby balls from me if the 2 new girls I'm getting lay, so I might ask to do a trade for him, but I'm worried about that if he stays this agressive...

If you want the boa, get it. Cage aggression disappears once the snake is out of the cage, and stress-induced defensiveness will also disappear with a few weeks without handling in a peaceful environment with suitable hiding areas. Boas are very sweet snakes, even if hatchlings can be a bit nippy every now and then. Any properly cared-for and handled boa will grow to be a very docile, sweet-tempered snake.

There is no such thing as cage aggression, or aggression in general when it comes to snakes. The animal is either being defensive or has an aggressive feeding response...

Cage aggression is when a snake displays an aggressive feeding response when no food is present.

[Unstable3lement]

My boas (though still babies) have done the same thing. I would walk by their cage and they would strike and slam their head into the side of the box (dummies). But it eventually stopped...I think it was because I just got them and they were stressed out, but also after I feed one of the boas, she is still quite in the defensive/attack position. She usually gets over it and hides.

[jason221]

In response to the hides: in the case of being at a pet store, the boa may be stressed. However, some boas simply don't use their hides. I spent time and money buying and making different hides for my boa, and she never uses any of them. Still eats whenever food is offered and is as calm as can be when handled. All in all, though, it comes down to the individual snake.

[Crazy4Herps]

In response to the hides: in the case of being at a pet store, the boa may be stressed. However, some boas simply don't use their hides. I spent time and money buying and making different hides for my boa, and she never uses any of them. Still eats whenever food is offered and is as calm as can be when handled. All in all, though, it comes down to the individual snake.

This is true; neither of my boas use their hides. However, the option of having a place to hide is a must, especially in a pet store setting.

[SAMPSON-BP]

I went in again today and they put a small ceramic flower pot in for him(way too small for him to get into and just laying on it's side). He's calmed down, relaxed when I was in. Owner said they fed him a couple meals and he was fine. Adult mouse every 3 days, which I'm sure is WAY too much for a boa that size, but I didn't say anything...probably should have. If I do end up with him it'll be after I pay for my and pick up my next 4 balls, if he's still there. Told hubby before if he stayed mean they'd drop the price on him and I'd trade a couple baby balls for him

He's only $179.99, so that isn't horrible if I do have to pay the full price I guess