Neuro issues caused by extended periods in the cold?

[Artemisace]

So I got a boa constrictor from a friend of a friend that was in need of a good home and since I have quite a few giant pythons and other crazy things she decided I should take the snake. She eats fine, sheds fine and poos fine, but when she's handled she has a strange habit of twisting in weird ways and swinging herself around. I've never seen other boas do this and was wondering since she sat in the cold for 2-3 months could that have caused some kind of neurological issue? I really only ask because she is poss het albino and I would like to breed boas, but I worry that if she truly has developed a neurological issue of some kind that it would harm her to put her under that kind of stress. I'll try and get a video of exactly what she does when held soon and will post it from my phone when I do. Thank you in advance for any and all replies.

[Eazyyyb]

Although I couldn't say for sure, that issue sounds similar to my red tail that I've had for almost his entire life. Whenever handling him, he swings around and twists and goes every which way. I never associated his behavior with a neurological issue, I am pretty sure he is just a grumpy snake that doesn't like being held, and perhaps feels more comfortable/more safe on the ground. Every snake is different, I would say it is more likely that she just doesn't like to be held, or doesn't feel safe, rather than having some issue. Hope this helps!

[Artemisace]

Although I couldn't say for sure, that issue sounds similar to my red tail that I've had for almost his entire life. Whenever handling him, he swings around and twists and goes every which way. I never associated his behavior with a neurological issue, I am pretty sure he is just a grumpy snake that doesn't like being held, and perhaps feels more comfortable/more safe on the ground. Every snake is different, I would say it is more likely that she just doesn't like to be held, or doesn't feel safe, rather than having some issue. Hope this helps!

It helps, it just struck me as weird that she would do that. I have held other boas that didn't do what she is doing, but you are right every snake is different. Hopefully it is just that she doesn't like being held and nothing more is wrong, because I'd really like to produce some baby boas in the future. I want a leucistic boa, I know the fires are quite pricey right now but I still want one. But I digress, thank you for your input.

[bcr229]

If she only does it while being held and not at any other time then it's likely stress or even panic-related and not neurological. Her prior owner (or owners) probably didn't handle her much and she's not used to it, so she may think you're a predator or feel trapped when you pick her up.

I just got an adult savu python that is very much the same - she doesn't bite, but will climb, flail about, and corkscrew trying to escape, and when she reallly gets wound up she will attempt to fling herself off of whoever is holding her.

[Reinz]

I agree with others, totally sounds like a handling issue with the snake

[Artemisace]

If she only does it while being held and not at any other time then it's likely stress or even panic-related and not neurological. Her prior owner (or owners) probably didn't handle her much and she's not used to it, so she may think you're a predator or feel trapped when you pick her up.

I just got an adult savu python that is very much the same - she doesn't bite, but will climb, flail about, and corkscrew trying to escape, and when she reallly gets wound up she will attempt to fling herself off of whoever is holding her.

Yeah the prior owner I don't know much about except that he claimed to have gotten her tested to prove she's het albino... don't think that's possible outside of breeding which she never has from what I hear.

I agree with others, totally sounds like a handling issue with the snake

Thank you all for the replies, it really eases my mind. She's such an amazing snake and I would have been so sad if she had developed something like that do to neglect before I got her.

snake room

[JoshSloane]

Totally agree with what everyone else is saying. I have had a male boa in the past that would go into a death roll anytime that it was held. Seems to be just a defense mechanism.

[Artemisace]

Totally agree with what everyone else is saying. I have had a male boa in the past that would go into a death roll anytime that it was held. Seems to be just a defense mechanism.

Thanks, I just wasn't sure. She's my first boa constrictor and I know nothing of her past so I figured I'd ask.

snake room

[JoshSloane]

Sure, no problem. Glad we could help.

[Sauzo]

As others have said, probably just the snake not used to being handled. Also on a side note, being overheated as a snake can do much more damage than being too cool. Neither is good for them but I have heard many more stories of neurological problems from snakes that got overheated than from snakes that were kept cooler than normal. But again, if the snake doesn't do the twisting and stuff when in the cage and only does it during handling, its probably just insecure about being held.