Boa playing favorites?

[SpartaDog]

So I got my little female BCI a month ago, which now makes her a year old. She's super healthy and all, but we've got one little problem.

She keeps biting my friends. She's never bitten me or my dad, who are the only people who handle her regularly, but two friends have been bitten by her (once in the face!) for seemingly no reason. Once I was holding her while my friend was holding Ramses, and she struck at the hand holding Ramses. We thought the issue might be Ramses, but they've been on the ground together before with no problems. I'm pretty sure the second bite was just a matter of rough handling, especially so soon after eating.

Normally this wouldn't bother me since she's good with me, but there are two issues. One, I planned on using her as an education tool. My friend and I are putting a hands-on reptile show together and she's part of it. For now I can just keep my hand close enough to her head so she can't strike at the kids, but I'd rather not have the issue at all. Second, when she's 9 feet long and 60 lb, a bite to the face is going to be a lot more serious. I'd rather deal with the problem now while she's 2 ft long and just under a pound.

So, any ideas on what the problem could be, or how to stop it? Aside from the handling after feeding thing, that is. That was a bad move on my part, I know it.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

If she has bitten like this for no reason, then please do not have her around children. It only takes a fraction of a second for something to happen which would only put another big damper on our hobby. Frantic and upset parents. More people who will have "proof" of the dangers of owning reptiles. If you restrain her behind her head, I guarantee it will only make her mad and you will lose what trust she may have for you.

It isn't a risk I would take. Work with her for a long time until you can trust her with any one before you do this.

[loonunit]

Yeah, until you can get her acclimated to strangers, she's not a good education tool. She just might not have the right temperament.

How old is she?

(Also, I have a dozen ball pythons? Completely different ball of wax, I know. Most of them are okay with handling after feeding--they're just lazy. The ones that hiss, they kind of hiss all the time anyway. Some animals just don't like change.)

[TheWinWizard]

Don't use a s an educational tool until you know for sure that snake will never bite. Kids are way too unpredictable in their actions. One bite and the education goes out of the window.

[Evenstar]

I totally agree with everyone else. I raise German Shepherds and we often use our dogs for educational programs offered through our local kennel club. I would never never ever advocate using an unpredictable animal around children no matter what kind of animal it is and no matter how much you want to. It just isn't worth it. WinWizard is right - one bite and everything you've worked for instantly goes down the tubes.

And I doubt I'd ever trust this one around kids. Snakes just are not like dogs - they really can not be trained. You might be able to work with her and she may settle down as she gets older, but even so I don't think I'd ever really trust her. I think you'd be better off looking for a docile sub-adult (say, 2 years?) that would be more appropriate for your program and just keep your current little girl as your family pet.

BTW, I applaud you for doing this - educational programs, if done right, are so benefical in our communities!

[TheWinWizard]

[QUOTE=Evenstar;157243
BTW, I applaud you for doing this - educational programs, if done right, are so benefical in our communities! [/QUOTE]

Ditto

[xFenrir]

Everyone here is giving the best advice: this girl isn't an educational snake. ESPECIALLY when she gets bigger. It's like playing Russian Roulette, someone's gonna get the bullet eventually. And I'd HATE to see the damage a 90 pound Boa would do to a kid. You mentioned your other snake, Ramses. Why not use him for your program, he sounds a lot more reliable than this girl.

[Jason Bowden]

Are you feeding her enough? Every seven days would be about right for a small boa.

I don't handle, except to clean a soiled cage, for at least 2 days after feeding.

Young boas can be naturally agressive. If she is from a breeder, she probably wasn't handled very much at the facility.

[Jason Bowden]

I don't like a snake's head any where near my face or anyone's. If I'm showing a boa to some one, I tell them not to let the snake get close to their face.

Not all snakes need to be handled by others to be shown and educational. Maybe you can hold the boa while a ball python is handled by the children.