My boa is terrified of me (and new pics)

[freelancer]

.. But I think I'm making some progress.

He fed last week, so I gave him some days of quiet time. I was changing his water out and checking out the terrarium for feces or anything remiss, so I decided to try to get him out. He slithered away, though he wasn't as jumpy as the last time I tried, and when I went to get him at the bottom he wrapped himself around the base of the tree

I didn't want to push him too much, so I just pet him a little and after a while he stopped recoiling so much, and actually seemed to want to come out while sniffing the air (I left the glass door open). He never did, and after I pet him a little more he crawled back behind his hide.

This is better than last time, when he fell off the tree running away from me when I gently put a finger on him. He seemed to accept my presence after a short while this time. At the shop he was being handled all the time, but then he didn't have anything to wrap himself around in that little clear box they had him in.

I closed the door and will let him be for a couple of days, maybe next time he'll let me carry him out. What do you guys do with a scared snake? Just give him time to get used to you, I guess?

I did manage to shoot a couple of quick pics. The camera didn't have enough light so had to shoot at a really high ISO:

[JeffJ]

let it be for a week or 2, just feed and spot clean. after it becomes acclimated it will not be as evasive. all you can really do is handle it for short periods of time after it acclimates and it will figure out your not going to eat it.

the above goes for a nippy one too. same concept. they think you as a giant are trying to hurt it. it will come around.

[frankykeno]

Just time, consistency in your routines so the snake can learn that when you do "A" then "B" is likely to happen and "B" isn't hurting it. Also be firm in your handling, not rough, just firm, determined and again consistent. Snakes can't do higher math but they seem to respond to routines and can learn to relax when a routine never causes them injury.

[freelancer]

Thanks, guys. I've had him for about 3 weeks now, but I hadn't tried handling him until just the other day. It seems I'm going about it the right way, just have to be patient.

I've gotta say, even though he was obviously uncomfortable, he never once tried biting me.

[Muze]

Don't think your little guy is a biter from what I've seen of him (can't guarantee this of course). But, like everyone's said, patience & consistency. As soon as he's figured out your not going to hurt him (some take longer than others to figure it out), he'll tolerate being handled. The most important thing is to make sure he's not so stressed that he does not feed. He's already fed, so great sign.

[freelancer]

Finally got a decent pic of Chew. I used the flash and he didn't care at all, as I figured he wouldn't. I only shot one or two frames, though.



He tolerated me for a while longer tonight. I found him in the water dish today, and though he was wide awake he seemed a little confused about what was going on around him when I got him out to change and refill the water (he was barely in it as it was too low for soaking). I can't see any eyecaps, nor is his underside getting bluish, but I think he is going into shed soon because he never hangs out in the dish. I misted the leaves a little with a spray bottle as well.

He quit being jittery quickly, but still didn't want me to grab him so he did the same thing: go behind the hide, then eventually go up in the tree. At least he let me touch him a bit, then I took the picture and let him be. He's comin' around.