Re: Hog Island Boa: Handling after eating question
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Daybreaker
I would bump the temps down and see if that helps any: my boas like temps cooler than my pythons. I do 77-79 cool side/ambient and 88 hot side. You could try blocking out three sides of the tank/throwing a towel over the tub to give the snake more privacy and see if that helps at all too: if he's really new he could just be settling in and still getting used to things. Some of my snakes just have their "pissy" days as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Daybreaker
With my boas the hissing has always been a defensive reaction, so it sounds like it's that over a feeding response. Also when my boas grip really hard is when they are feeling a little insecure: some of mine that I've had for awhile never really wrap around things anymore when handling (they'll just kinda be there and let me support them). I would drop the temps, leave him alone for ~5 days with his tank covered, then try again and see how he responds. When did you bring him home/how many days ago?
This. Absolutely.
Just from what you've described, it sounds like your boa is insecure and needs to feel comfortable. I have a 2013 female that was a total sweetheart when we bought her, was sweet for about 6 weeks, then turned into the devil-incarnate and would strike at me every chance she got. She wanted me DEAD. I discovered that, while she has privacy in her tub, she could still see part of our stairway from the angle of her tub. I moved her to a different room and kept a towel over her tub that covered the back and sides. She's settled down almost completely and now I can get her out and work with her again without the hook. Look at things from your boa's perspective.
The temps can have an effect too. She'll be grumpy if she can't thermoregulate properly - which she can't do if she can't cool down.
Hook training is easy. You're training yourself more than your boa. Work with a friendly snake a few times to learn how to wield the hook with a snake hanging from it. :gj:
Re: Hog Island Boa: Handling after eating question
Quote:
Originally Posted by
foggs5
We brought him home last monday. He was fed on Friday. We left him alone until Sunday. That was when he began his grumpiness. I have been keeping a towel over the top of the cage. He is in a glass 40Gallon long tank, so should I put a blanket over it that is big enough to cover the sides so it is dark? He has hides that he has been using. The guy we got him from had him in a 20 Gallon. Do you think the tank is too big? We put the same substrate in and actually brought along his old hides and his climbing limb and heat source so his cage is very similar to what he was in.
Also, the last owner was feeding him a med rat (Live) every 2 weeks. He said he is 1.5 years old. He is only about 2' 3". He seems really healthy and at a good weight but I was wondering if maybe I should feed him more? We fed him F/T and he took it and ate it right away..
I will leave him alone as you suggested and see if that helps.
Thanks again for all your help! I really appreciate being able to ask someone that is knowledgable and willing to share info!
All the more reason to leave him in peace for awhile. He's brand new and just settling in. Give him time. :gj:
