Removing the hides of a Nic. boa - good or bad?

[Alexandra V]

So here's my dilemma. I've been thinking about two pieces of conflicting philosophy concerning boas and hides. I have a Nicaraguan boa, and she's still a little flighty and can be nippy (which is usually the stereotype), and she has two hides in her enclosure that I've been letting her use since I got her in January. Now here's the thing: I've heard everywhere that hides will help a snake feel more secure (which was the main reasoning behind me letting her have hides in the first place), but then I've been reading that BCI don't need hides, and I read an article by the Boaphile that getting a boa used to not having hides will result in a boa that is more secure out and being manipulated/handled.

So my question is should I continue to offer the hides and hope that it makes her a little more secure, or stop offering them for the same reason? Any opinions are welcome. I'm starting to think that removing the hides might help, but then with her being a Nic I don't want to make her any more nervous than she already is naturally...

[jtyson123]

So here's my dilemma. I've been thinking about two pieces of conflicting philosophy concerning boas and hides. I have a Nicaraguan boa, and she's still a little flighty and can be nippy (which is usually the stereotype), and she has two hides in her enclosure that I've been letting her use since I got her in January. Now here's the thing: I've heard everywhere that hides will help a snake feel more secure (which was the main reasoning behind me letting her have hides in the first place), but then I've been reading that BCI don't need hides, and I read an article by the Boaphile that getting a boa used to not having hides will result in a boa that is more secure out and being manipulated/handled.

So my question is should I continue to offer the hides and hope that it makes her a little more secure, or stop offering them for the same reason? Any opinions are welcome. I'm starting to think that removing the hides might help, but then with her being a Nic I don't want to make her any more nervous than she already is naturally...

IMO your snake's attitude is going to be attributed mainly to two different things; its temperament overall and how it is handled. I don't believe a hide makes a snake aggressive. The only boa I have is around 15lbs and 7' and rarely ever comes out of her hide. Yet any time day or night you can pull her out and handle her and she has never once bitten me or anyone else...She has even done some semi professional modeling and never got testy being held by girls who could barely handle themselves.

You snake is either nippy, or not. Handle her more and hopefully she will get better with or without hide - however you choose.

[TheWinWizard]

I don't think it matters either way. I keep hides in with all of my snakes just so they can feel secure. I'd say to try it without and see how your Boa reacts to it, only you can decide on which way to go.

[Alexandra V]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to give it a shot without hides, otherwise I'll never know.

[Wh00h0069]

I personally offer hides to the small ones, if they will use them. Some like to just sit on top of them. With those, I remove them. I don't use any hides with any of my larger boas. I don't think they really care either way. All of mine eat regardless.

[MikeV]

I have conflicting thoughts about this.

My RTB, (which is certainly not a Nic) ALWAYS uses her hides. Unless its close to or after feeding day, then she will camp out on either hot or cold hide and wait for food

Give it a shot but I wouldn't be suprised if you have to put them back in. Snakes like to hide the only ones who dont are the massive ones who dont care because they are big enough to defend themselves/dont have predators

Good luck!

[Crazy4Herps]

Imo, hides are a necessity for any snake that will utilize them. I just don't see how forcing a nervous snake to be out in the open is going to help them calm down.

It sounds to me that your boa is just nippy, which is perfectly normal (she is a Nic, lol). I would personally recommend leaving the hides in, whether or not she uses them. Removing the hides may not make any difference at all (some boas just don't use hides), but I could also see how removing the hides could stress her out and worsen her temperament. I simply don't believe that denying a snake a place to hide could possibly relax them.

I mean, it's your call, you can try it if you want. I personally don't think it could change anything for the better.

[Skittles1101]

My columbian boa is very nervous and flighty also. I have found a trick to picking him up without getting struck at though. He has two hides (which he uses....religiously!) so I open the tub, usually talking to him so he can hear me coming lol. I lift up the hide and take it out...at this point he usually pokes his head up to see what's going on. I talk to him, I let him see me and then I slowly (not nervously, but slowly) reach my hand in so he can see it coming, I pet his back a little (away from his head), and once I see him start sniffing (tongue thing...you know? lol) I pick him up with two hands. I noticed with my boa he's not really all that big (only about 460 grams) but he feels unsecure if I don't use two hands. He starts whipping his tail around for something to hold onto, but if I use two he just slithers along and explores my arms and shoulders. It's worked pretty well for me, he tagged me quite a bit when I first got him so it's just a matter of us getting used to eachother. I've only ever had balls before him so it was a shock to get tagged by a boa lol. Nics are kind of known for keeping that attitude longer than most boas, but I'm sure with handling and possibly taking a few bites he'll warm up. I know this sounds stupid, but I talk to my snakes (all of them...lol) and although I know they can't "hear" like we can, I think they can tell the difference between my voice and someone else's...and they always calm down. I agree with Crazy4Herps...I think taking the hide out may make things worse, if he can't feel secure in his "home" it won't change his outside behavior.

[Alexandra V]

Thanks for the replies. I knew about the nippiness when I got her (it was pretty much the reason I got her lol, I wanted a challenge) I was just curious to test out the two theories, to see if they would make a difference. I took out the hides, but then two days later I felt bad (I know, weird lol) and put them back in oh well. I'll test it out on another snake maybe

[Vypyrz]

I would think if the snake uses hides, then leave them in, and the best way to get your little Niparaguan calm and comfortable with handling is by frequent handling...