Young Dumerils Boa very defensive....Help!

Hi,

I have a 4 month old male Dumerils boa that I have had since 8/13/2013. I have not handled him yet due to his inconsistent feeding habits. He was shipped to me on 8/13/13. Here are the dates when he did and did not eat:
8/19 - ate fuzzy rat
8/26 - ate ""
9/2/ - refused, did not eat
9/15 - ate
9/25 - did not eat and was defense striking the rat and anything that moved, which was unusual for him
9/30 - refused meal and striking like crazy at everything

A few days after I offered food on 9/30 and he refused he spent a few days in his water dish and I could tell by his eyes that he was getting ready to shed. I have been in contact with his breeder about his defensiveness and not eating, they recommended that I wait a few days after he sheds to offer food again. Today I noticed that he shed well and was out of his water dish, he was under the shavings with just his head out, I changed his water,no issues and then I lifted his hide, which was behind the snake, not touching him, to fix the shavings and he turned around and freaked out, striking at me and so I just put the lid back on the tub and he was striking at the lid and anything that moved. He did not act this way the first several weeks I had him, nothing has changed. He is in a 31 qt. tub, hot spot is 88 degrees, cool side is 75-78 degrees, I use a digital thermometer with probe, humidity is 60%, he is on aspen shavings with 1 hide on hot spot, he usually stays under the shavings. I know that young Dumerils boa can be difficult as far as getting them to eat. Is the defensiveness normal? It bothers me because he didn't do this at first. And I'm not going to lie, when he is striking at everything it makes me REALLY jumpy and scared. I have a Hog Island, but I got her as a yearling and she has never done this, so I don't know what to do. Any ideas on what I can do, as far as eating or behavior?

Thanks so much
Beth

Im not a dum expert (I do love them and hope to own one someday) but regardless I believe its just normal for some small snakes to be defensive, obviously in the wild its kill or be killed so they are quick to get scared. I have a corn snake that is small and more aggressive than my other two. He has calmed down since ive gotten him and hes gotten older, but he still has his moments. He too will defensive strike his food even though its pre-kill. Snakes are still simple minded animals with primitive instincts. His biting wont hurt, don't let it scare you.

As far as picky eating, I have heard that dums are the most inconsistent eating boas, and their pickiness is very common.

Offer him food, if he takes give him 48 hours then handle him for about 15 minutes everyday. If he doesn't take then just start handling him and continue to offer, weigh him regularly and as long as he doesn't significantly lose weight I wouldn't stress his slowed eating.

Dums have slow metabolism so feeding too often isn't good as they will become obese. I have a female that is a garbage can and would eat every day if given the chance. Like stated small snakes can be very defensive and will try to kill anything they perceive as a threat. As far as being inconsistent feeders i have heard this as well. i normally don't handle any new snakes until after they have fed 3 times with normal time spans between feedings. Handling too much can stress them out resulting in them not eating.

PM Evenstar. She's our resident boa expert in the forum.

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Indeed, I may not have a clue. LOL

I think that the reason your boa is defensive is because it doesn't know you - you haven't handled it before! I'm impressed you could wait 2 months to hold it, actually. I couldn't.

I'd personally just start handling it. I'm not a boa person, but that's just what I would do. It won't get better if you don't try. Maybe someone with experience will say otherwise though.