New Red Tail Boa

[jcaapps89]

I have a new snake I purchased last week and was wondering how long it might take for my little one to calm down she is flighty right now... Any tricks to help calm her?

[Inknsteel]

I don't know that you can put a time frame on it honestly. From my understanding with boas (I just got mine a few weeks ago) they can be feisty to begin with but they will calm down with regular handling. Just when you do handle, if they start hissing or whatever, resist the urge to immediately put them away. They'll eventually learn that response and know that they get out of handling sessions by being pissy...

[dragonboy4578]

I don't know that you can put a time frame on it honestly. From my understanding with boas (I just got mine a few weeks ago) they can be feisty to begin with but they will calm down with regular handling. Just when you do handle, if they start hissing or whatever, resist the urge to immediately put them away. They'll eventually learn that response and know that they get out of handling sessions by being pissy...

This sounds right. i was very lucky. My boa was great from day one...BTW where are the pic's......

[jcaapps89]

Thanks for the advice just started handling her two or three days ago taking ny time with her and holding her for about 10-15 mins to start out. She is about a foot and a half long with some hypo in here so she is pinkish on her side down to her belly. I just haven't come up with a good name for her any suggestions!

[xFenrir]

I guess I got lucky, my girl came with a stellar attitude. In fact she's pretty bossy about making sure she gets her out time, coming to the side of her tub and waiting for attention. Then again she's close to 5 feet long (don't know her age, she was a rescue). I would think that the bigger she gets, the less frightened she'll feel, even more so with regular handling.

Check out name sites and just look until one appeals to you. When I got my Ball I went to the show with a name already picked out.

[Evenstar]

Very pretty boa! I agree with everyone else too. There is no time frame, but regular and gentle handling should help her feel more at ease. I have a baby boa too and she is slightly shy in her cage but a real sweetheart and very curious once she's out with me. And she's getting better in her cage. Now that she knows nothing's going to leap out and grab her when we walk by, she's not shrinking away anymore.

It'll just take a little time and some take longer than others. I think boas in general have such good overall temperaments that as long as they are handled gently and with respect, any baby should come around.

BTW, one of my favorite names for a female snake is "Isis". This is the Egyptian goddess of fertility and beauty, earth and nature. I also like "Ivy" for a boa. A couple other suggestions are "Annis" and "Matilda". But I am sure whatever you choose will be perfect for her!

[Jason Bowden]

Congrats on getting a boa!
Welcome to the forum and I know you will enjoy being a boa keeper!

[DellaF]

Very pretty! Mine hasn't been feisty yet. She's just a baby though.

[Crazy4Herps]

Beautiful boa! Congrats!

There is really no way to determine how long an individual baby will take to settle down. It could be anywhere from a few days to a year. Some boas are flightier than others, but all will calm down with handling and time. I would recommend giving yours another week without handling (some take longer to adjust than others, maybe she just needs a bit more time to figure out her new home) and add two or three extra hides in the cage as well as some crumpled newspaper. These things will help to make her feel as secure and calm as possible in her new environment.

Start handling gradually. Start with 2-minute handling sessions every other day, then gradually increase it to handling for 10 minutes per day (obviously not during sheds or for 2 days after feedings). If you are worried about getting bit there is no shame in wearing a sweater and gloves. Be patient with her, she will come around. Nervousness is perfectly normal in baby boas.