Defensive posture for BCI

I was wondering if this was a defensive posture for a boa? I fed him on Monday and when I took him out today he just seems a little off. I can't tell if he's about to shed, his eyes aren't blue but his colors look a little less vibrant.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...pswzpzeifb.jpg

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Originally Posted by svtvenom

I was wondering if this was a defensive posture for a boa? I fed him on Monday and when I took him out today he just seems a little off. I can't tell if he's about to shed, his eyes aren't blue but his colors look a little less vibrant.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...pswzpzeifb.jpg

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Cant tell, there's more that goes with defensive posture than just a bent neck..... like hovering and how rigid or tense they are.. Honestly you would only be able to judge that unless you were posting a video so we could see his body language.


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He looks pale. Sure it isn't time to shed?

Looks a bit off colour to me round his tail,sometimes start to look a bit baggy round the neck and jaw line, some of mine look a bit sorry for them selves around shed time


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Yea looks like a shed is coming on, Anubis is the same


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He looks fine. Maybe shed coming as others' pointed out.

Watch the body movement and tongue movement.

Darty and quick movements can mean nervous. Quick tongue flicks, short and fast, can also mean nervous or hungry. If out of tank, likely nervous.

If breathing isn't fast, and tongue is all over - showing curiosity, tasting the air, etc. I wouldn't worry at all.

Also, how old and big is he? Could just be getting used to being handled.

Also, BCI's are curious animals, they do not tend to stay still like BP's, so he could just be moving around and look like he might strike.

Any hissing?

Again, 99% he is cool as a cucumber and might be getting near shed.

Ok great thank you everyone for info. I've only had him a few weeks. I can't wait to see him after he sheds! He is about 3 feet long right now. I think he is saggy around his jaw line! I was wondering why it was like that. Luckily he hasn't hissed at me yet lol.

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Originally Posted by svtvenom

Ok great thank you everyone for info. I've only had him a few weeks. I can't wait to see him after he sheds! He is about 3 feet long right now. I think he is saggy around his jaw line! I was wondering why it was like that. Luckily he hasn't hissed at me yet lol.

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He might never hiss at you or bite you! BCI's can be pretty chill.

I got nailed by Behira the other day, but I am pretty sure she was hoping for a juicy rat. LOL. I am no worse for the wear, and ignored obvious "hungry" signs.

If you are worried about getting bit, feed with tongs, and consider hook training. I am just learning about the latter. :).

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-Hook-Training

Remember though, fear is worse than any BCI bite, don't let it get the best of you! Enjoy your beautiful boy.

Doesn't look very defensive to me although you can only tell so much from a photo. Here's some defensive poses from my favorite jerk face of a male. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9677cc73fb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a873781bc7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...21fffcebe9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c26a6ee302.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4279dd2ec3.jpg

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My img was really defensive when I first had her https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4abbe2062c.jpg it’s took me six months she has relaxed no end with regular handling and tap training her, she a joy to handle now


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