Boa Attack

I was checkin out some baby BCI's in a local (crappy) pet store today and asked to hold one.

Cute little thing, but inthe span of about 30 seconds it struck at me 4 times. Absolutely full of piss and vinegar. Defensive strikes. Just bumped me.

I'm desperate to get a BCI. Is this behavior by babies normal? I've held a couple other babies, without the assault.

PLease share your baby BCI experiences with me.

Thanks,

Ken

Very normal. Baby boas are scared of anything and everything around them. They will cool down with time and regular handling.

Homer was a Feb04 baby. He could either be trying to get away or he would be piss and vingear. I've heard from others that their babies were nothing but sweet, but that wasnt my experience. Now, the 6ft BCI i kept for a friend this summer was nothing but sweet.

hoggs are different right?

I have had good luck, my baby is an April 04 baby, and he is sweeeeeeettt as can be.

It should be remembered that these animals are acting purely on the instinct to defend themselves and "most" neonates of any specie of snake tend to be nippy or extremely shy ... in both cases they are really just scared to death
whats up with the word filter?

Haven't been tagged by mine yet, he's docile as can be when being held. He has struck the glass a time or two at quick gestures - usually pointing or hand gestures at eye level-can't smell through the glass....has happened three times total. I just assume he's a little cranky and just leave him be.
I figure if you read the animal accurately you can minimize and possibly eliminate spastic moments. Keep in mind that in a pet store environment the animal usually is completely lacking any kind of feeling of security and are handled randomly many times a day. That would make me a little snappy, too.
Like above posts say, neonates can be a little jumpy, but also keep in mind that with a stable home and security needs met these traits can typically be eliminated. Unless you just wind up with a nippy snake..........half the fun is finding out! lol

My Boa is sweet as can be, i got her from a local breeder Chris Himstedt, i got tagged by her once during feeding but it was my fault. I had handled the rodent, then went to move her, and she was like "YUMMMMMM MOUSE!" and hit my hand....didn't even bit, just tagged it, and i think she realized it wasn't food, lol. But she's a total swetie, loves to be handlied, friendly as can be...and an awesome feeder. So i've got no complaints :D

For those who had nippy babies, how long was it before they simmered down?

K

I got my very first RTB earlier this year Gypsy, she was always very calm and mellow but latley she has become very weird acting. She's very skidish and doesn't like any movements around her at all. She use to be really calm but now she is making me nervous. I use to handle her a lot but recently I havent cause I am nervous and I am sure she can sense it. I just havent been bit in 2 years of ball python handling and the thought scares me. Not so much the bite but because I was a vet. tech for a few years and have very fast reactions. It's instinct to try to keep from being bit and I would hurt her and myself if I jerk away durring a bite. How do you learn not to jerk away your hand when you see the snake striking?
Hockeymom

The two females I purchased this summer have been awesome with handling. Nothing but calm and very exploratory. It depends on the animal really. A suggestion though and not to pick on hockeymom, the only way to keep your animals "tame" is to continue interaction with them. If they start acting differently lowering their human interaction isn't necessarily a good thing to do. I'm not saying you shouldn't look out for your own safety...by all means safety first. As long as the animal isn't acting differently due to illness or other ailments try to maintain that interaction even if it means you take extra precautions on yourself. I have an adult male BP that I am always cautious with...he's pretty good now after several years with me but he just needs to be handled a certain way and at certain times. I have another yearling female I am working also that is very defensive. I try and get her out regularly...even if I have to use a hook, just so she at least is out of her tub and can see us and that we are not going to hurt her...it takes time and hard work with some...but its always going to be worth it.

My bci is in his second year. he had been handled almost too-much by the people who owned him as a neonate, and so by the time I got him a few months ago, he was pretty much used to people and not nippy.
I know that like others have said, hatchling boas are pretty nippy. They think that everything that approaches them is out to eat them, as it would be in the wild. I think that they have to see you as part of the scenery, not as a threat. This can be "taught" to them by avoiding any sudden or fast jerking motions while handling.
You might want to look into getting a baby who's over a year old like I did. Mine was already used to being handled, and he never strikes at anything now except food.

Bump

HI,
most of my new boa's are a little nippy, WHat I have noticed if you pause and give them a moment they will chill out some.
Most animals are terrified your plannig a snake snack..
I have sen aggresion at times and will pick themup by throwin a small hand towel over the snake they usally are aok once out of the cage.

Doug

http://www.redtailboas.com/albums/al..._june_2004.jpg

this was a different day but even this grumpy hog will mellow if allowed some chil time .

http://www.redtailboas.com/albums/al...ose_030504.jpg

most boa's are not mean they just are defensive as babies.

My wife was holding our Bci one day. She was holding him close to her face to get a good look. The boa tagged her nose. Guess she was too close for comfort. lol

They do calm down quite a bit. I would still try to look for a mellow one when buying though.

cool rtb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and nice pic!!!!!!!

Wow Doug that's a NICE boa you have there. I like the fiesty ones; they're more of a challenge!