A few tips for the admirer of a nippy boa...?

I'm sure there have been posts about this, but I can't seem to find them. I apologize!

My red tail boa is about 3' long, and he's very nippy. Any suggestions on how to get him to calm down just a bit? I don't mind the nipping so much for right now, but when his teeth get bigger, I'm hoping he'll settle down some! Even if he doesn't, I'll still completely adore him, as I do now. I'd just really like to "make friends" with him, and let him know I'm not a threat, like he thinks I am.

When handling, if he nips, I put him back in his enclosure. Is that the right thing to do, or is that a mistake? Am I teaching him that if he misbehaves, he gets his way?

I've had him for a few months now, and just figured I'd attempt to get some suggestions from people with more experience with these snakes, before he gets his massive size and it's too late for taming.

This is a tough one to judge over the internet, but I'll give it a whirl. ;) Take him out on a regular day to day basis (except the day of and the day after feeding) and keep him out for ten minutes. Use gloves as to not flinch from the bites, this will show him that his bites are not a threat. They are purely instinctive creatures and will rely on whatever works for pushing away any threat. I've heard of some putting old shirts and hats in with them to give them their "scent" but it never worked for me. Male boas go through "puberty" around that size, and they will get very nippy during this time period. It will go away, but don't wait for it. He needs to be handled nonetheless. If he strikes at you while attempting to pull him out, use the gloves and gently grab him behind the neck and take him out. Don't let him win.

On another note, this could also be from bad husbandry and wouldn't be a bad idea to check your temps and humidity. Humidity should only be checked with a digital thermometer/hygrometer, not a analogue one. Humidity about 50-60% and temp from 80 cool to 90 warm.

Hope this helps!

Thank you!

I only use digital probes for humidity/temperature checks. I laughed when my local pet store tried selling me those little strips. :D

Humidity stays about 54% or slightly above, and has only dropped to 47% once about two months ago. I got it straightened out and can keep it between 50-60%, now. He has a choice between being at an 80 degree temperature, or a 92 degree temperature, and I turn off the heating unit at night. Night time temp drops to 75 degrees. He seems to prefer the cooler side of the tank.

You know, I'd never have guessed he could be going through puberty. His attitude certainly does remind me of some young boys/teens I know!

Thanks again!

aside from the puberty factor he just might still be getting used to you. You mentioned that you have only had him for a couple months so he may be taking his time in getting used to you. The best thing to do is not give up on him, I'm sure he'll come around for you.

Thanks for the glimmer of hope!

I've only had him since around September (i can't remember the specific date, and the snake records are out in my truck), so he probably is just taking his time. I've always heard you can't rush a snake to do anything.

Here's to hoping for the best.

Kozma used to be the exact same way and sometimes he does get a wild hair up his butt. I find he has the most distinctive personality out of all my snakes. There are certain things he dislikes and he lets you know. But don't worry, I find it's a matter of mutual respect. You respect him and his dislikes and he'll behave. Good luck to you.

I like to cover my BCI with a towel to remove him from his cage. This way, he does not see my scary hand lunging at him and either get scared, defensive, or think that I am a meal! Once he's out, I let him explore on my lap, and things are fine.

We must have lucked out to have the two easiest natured boa's in our lives. Both big Sonja and little Severus have been easy as anything to handle. Sure you have to know the snake and be reasonable with how you deal with it but really they've been both super nice natured snakes.

Do check that the snake isn't overly stressed by it's environment, where it's cage is placed in your home, etc. Make sure it's eating appropriately as a hungry boa isn't looking for anything but food and will strike a lot when in the mood to eat. Try to make handling a non-stressful experience for both you and the snake. Wear thick gloves and just slowly try to get the snake used to being handled calmly and quietly. When we were dealing with a big aggressive female BP we just slowly worked with her, sometimes handling was all of 30 seconds but we made sure that removing her and returning her to her enclosure was quiet, smooth, calm but firm. In the end she got the point that snapping and fighting us wasn't getting her anywhere and is now so nice even kids can handle her.

Some snakes will never accept handling or much of it. That is also just part of owning a snake.

I agree with Jimi, Just keep trying. My male was a beast when I first got him in and I am still careful with him at about 2 1/2-3' b/c of his nippy tendencies(sp?).

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Make sure it's eating appropriately as a hungry boa isn't looking for anything but food and will strike a lot when in the mood to eat.

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It's funny Jo said this because I was just noting in my little journal how my 06 Het ablino "Hera" has bit me twice in the last two weeks and has tried numerous times to do so otherwise. I started to feed her every four days (thinking she was hungry--maybe) and she's calmed right down. Boas seem to tend to have "nippy" times when they go through a growth spurt too. This wasn't the first time I've noticed this.

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I agree with Jimi, Just keep trying. My male was a beast when I first got him in and I am still careful with him at about 2 1/2-3' b/c of his nippy tendencies(sp?).

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Thanks Jake, and you did spell tendencies right ;)