A little help needed

I work at a pet store, because I love animals. All animals. Except insects. Snakes are by far my favorite.

A guy came in a while back with a large homemade cage with table legs, that looked rather nice, with a heat pad, large water dish, and ball python in it. He said he wanted to get rid of all of it as soon as possible. He only wanted 100$ for it all. I got the snake checked out, he was healthy, and I decided I was going to get him. I fell in love with the snake. He's incredibly friendly and used to being handled, the guy adored him. His wife didn't.

I named the snake Puppy. Why? No idea. Probably for the same reason my boyfriend named our kitten Roadkill. Anyways, point is, he's super friendly. He was underweight, so I've been feeding him a lot. I've never met a snake as laid back as him. If a snake can be termed a cuddler, he's one.

Well, a few days ago, a guy came up to me at school and told me he was trying to get rid of his redtail. I think they're gorgeous snakes, and I told him I would try and find a home for it through my store. Then he went on to tell me he was trying to sell the snake and all for 60$. So I said screw finding someone else, I'd take it. He told me she was really tame, liked to be held, etc. I was looking forward to it. My boyfriend is in love with Puppy too, but wants a snake of his own, so I decided I'd surprise him with the redtail for Christmas. All the people I know with redtails say they're really passive and sweet.

I went to pick the snake up from the guys house, and the poor girl is 4 feet long and has been living in a 20 gallon tank! She hadn't been fed for weeks, and she had no water. It was no wonder the guy wanted to get rid of her, he had no clue how to take care of her!

I brought her home, got her some water and tried to figure out what to do about the cage situation. I can't put my ball in the 20 gallon because he's even bigger than her. And I don't have the money right now to go get a big cage, nor to build one. But she really needed out of the small one because she acts the exact opposite of how the guy said.

She's very aggressive towards people. You can't even open the lid of her tank without her lunging at you. I managed to get her out of the tank and into a large plastic box to feed her, the same way I do with my ball. She ate the two rats I gave her in no time. I waited a bit and put her back in her tank. She lunged at me again. I was like eep.

I left her alone for a few days, and then tried to get her out. No luck. She lunged again, but got me this time. Not bad, it was through a long sleeve shirt, but enough to bleed.

I've been trying to work with her the past few days and nothing has helped, she stays the same. I think the cage is a big issue for her.

She's been checked out too, and found healthy, and so I decided to try, just for now, to put her in the same large cage at Puppy. It's right next to my computer and I've been sitting here watching them for awhile.

Puppy, being the cuddler that he is, has tried to cuddle with her a few times but she's stayed stiff or moved away. She's currently hiding in the box that's in there, and he's curled up in his water bowl.

I was wondering if this is ok, for now, until I can get a bigger cage for her. I was also wondering if anyone had any tips or anything on how to calm her down, or any reasons for why she's being as aggressive as she is.

No. Go to Lowes or Walmart and get a tub and use that for one of them. It would only cost a few bucks. Snakes should never be housed together for any reason other than breeding. For the second part of that question...probably that way from not being handled enough. Ive been working with some of the larger ones at school that havent been handled enough for a while and are kinda mean like that. What i do is rub their side with a broom till they calm down enough to let me rub them with my hand and then rub them till they're ok with bein picked up. If i start to pick them up and they hiss or start to coil up to strike i just rub em some more. One of ours took about 10 mins of rubbing this morning to calm down. Anyway, best of luck.

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Originally Posted by piranhaking

No. Go to Lowes or Walmart and get a tub and use that for one of them. It would only cost a few bucks. Snakes should never be housed together for any reason other than breeding. For the second part of that question...probably that way from not being handled enough. Ive been working with some of the larger ones at school that havent been handled enough for a while and are kinda mean like that. What i do is rub their side with a broom till they calm down enough to let me rub them with my hand and then rub them till they're ok with bein picked up. If i start to pick them up and they hiss or start to coil up to strike i just rub em some more. One of ours took about 10 mins of rubbing this morning to calm down. Anyway, best of luck.

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I will second majority of the advice given here.The only thing i differ on is the rubbing with a broom part.Of course its obvious this snake has never been handled.When i had boas that were nippy or worse i bought a pair of welders gloves(they can bite them till the cows come home,i feel nothing!). I realize this snake is going to be a gift,i think you should have someone with you to help out just incase she nails you and you start to bleed heavily.Even though she is only 4ft she is capable of doing some damage with her teeth.I hope you realize taming her is going to be a lenghty process IF its even possible at this point.Some snakes are just plain mean and they never change.I am not trying to hurt your feeling just pointing out a few things.Did you handle her at all before you handed him the cash? If not then please follow this golden rule that i practice.I will NEVER hand over a single penny to anyone in person unless i am able to check out and handle said snake of my interest.I even do this when buying corn snakes;) .If you stick to this rule you will save yourself alot of money and headaches by not buying a wolverine in a snakes body;) .Last its not a good idea to keep two snakes together unless they are breeding like its allready mentioned here.Somewhere on this site is a thread with a pic of a boa swallowing a ball python.They were both good sized snakes also.

Never ever ever ever ever put two snakes in teh same cage unless breeding. Go get a tub for the ball python and leave the boa in the cage...

Not too mention the Boa could be infected with any number of things that can be passed to Puppy! Always quarentine!!!
Seperate and use the advice above. A plastic tote is really cheap and you can secure it more if needed by drilling holes through the lip of the edge and running thumbscrews through. Several of those will secure any lid.
Wolfy

There are sterilite tubs large enough to house adult ball pythons for about $8.00.

Just because you have a healthy boa and a healthy ball does not mean they can't get sick from each other. Some species of snakes are immune to diseases that are deadly to others, and this is true about boa constrictors and ball pythons. I would definately separate them now.

just to clarify the snakes i was dealing with were a 7 foot long red tail and (just guessing because i havent measured it yet) and a burm that is around 10 feet. Both are in cages quite high off the floor that the entire back opened up on and any bite could likely be in the face. I'd say a leather glove would be a better option in this case since the tank would open from the top and by reaching into the tank its only real option would be hand or arm, which the glove would cover.

He handled her in front of me when I picked her up from his house. He got her out of her tank and put her in a pillow case for me for the ride home. She was calm as anything. Didn't move an inch the whole ride home. Got home, started getting her out of her pillowcase and into her cage again when she lunged at me the first time. I chalked it up to travel stress and just didn't mess with her.

I also seperated them, as you guys said to do. The plastic box/tub I have her in is similar to the one I feed them in, but I different color. It's got my wooden drawing board over it with books on top of it because she's a damn strong snake. I don't have to work tomorrow, so I'll drive around and see what I can find as far as housing goes.

My boyfriend is aware of how she's been acting. He actually laughed at me when I told him she bit me. He's decided he wants to name her Absinthe. It kind of ruins the surprise for Christmas, that he's getting a snake, but all he knows is she's a snake. He doesn't know the kind or color or anything.

I'm not afraid of her, or spending a lot of time trying to tame her. My family is guilty of taking in pets that no one else wants. My favorite dog is one of the ones we rescued that when we got her was scared of her own shadow. I know there is a difference between abused animals and aggressive snakes, but the point is, I know it takes time, and that there are always going to be setbacks every now and then.

For awhile today, when I had Puppy out and roaming about my room, and just Absinthe in the large cage, I had the lid off and let her watch me for a few minutes before reaching in and rubbing her back. She didn't seem to mind this time. Didn't lunge or jerk away. Stayed away from her head. She just laid there. Left her alone for awhile. When Puppy calmed down and stopped being so active, I moved her from the cage to the tub. She pulled back like she was going to strike, but didn't. So I think I was right about assuming the small tank is one of her issues.

My boyfriend will love her anyways, even if she is a bully. One of our dogs is too. Hates everyone but Tim. Even me. That dog is evil haha. Knowing Tim, he'll probably turn Absinthe into a one person snake in no time, if it's possible with her.

I'm still open to suggestions though about what could be making her so aggressive, and ways to tame her =] The internet only tells you so much. It's nice to hear from people with experience.

I would guess that her aggressiveness is from being neglected as far as feeding and handling. I recently aquired a boa from someone in the same condition, only I didn't give them any money for it... He is pretty aggressive and we've gotten into it a couple of times. Yesterday was the first time I picked him up without him threatening me with an open mouth. I was getting him out to give him a larger water bowl, and since he was all right about it, I kept him out for a few extra minutes.

If you've just brought her home, she's still settling into a new environment as well. Due to the environment change alone, she's going to be a little stressed.

Call around to your local WalMarts. Ask them if they have in stock the large Iris Xmas tree boxes yet (they usually retail for $19.99). They are massive (close to 5 feet long if I remember right). Daniel if you are following this thread I think you grabbed up a couple last year if you could post a pic or dimensions please. WalMart generally gets them in around this time of year and they are perfect for larger snakes (just add vent holes of course and any extra security you can to keep them from popping the lid off....BCI's are incredibly strong).

As far as her aggressive attitude, you'd be cranky too if you'd been left unfed and thirsty for who knows how long, and then taken off to a new home. She can't understand you wish to help her...you are just likely another big warm humanoid that she can't figure out in her snakey brain. Feed her well, keep her comfortable and wear thick gauntlet gloves, get a snake hook if you want. Give her time and while being firm and slow with her, don't let her set the terms either.

For now focus on getting her happier in her environment (certainly never keep her with another snake), well fed and hydrated. Get her used to your scent and a bit of gentle stroking when she isn't hungry and hunting but don't push her to come out of her home yet. Let her get secure there first before you push her to accept handling. Remember BCI's have very long strike ranges but are generally easy natured snakes but you have to respect the power of that strike for your safety and hers.

With snakes it's not about days or even weeks, it's about months and just sticking the course with them very slowly working towards a goal, setting up routines and sticking to them exactly so the snake can feel safe enough not to have to act defensively. When we dealt with a highly aggressive adult female BP we did that. The same routines over and over again, gloves, more routine, everything the same, tiny steps forward, a few backward, then forward again inch by inch...eventually it got through her basic brain that we were not a threat to her nor could she eat us. She is now handled by 5 year old children and a lovely adult snake (still a killer eater though LOL she does NOT play on feeding day and will happily come out of her tub and help you give her a rat if you don't move it fast enough LOL).

I went out after school today and bought a large new tank for her. Came home and tried to figure out the easiest way to move her from the plastic tub to the tank. Decided I didn't feel like getting bitten and went to get a towel since I'm lacking in the gloves department, and she never really aims for my hands anyways, it's always my arms.

I wrapped the towel around my hand and arm, and sat next to the tub stroking her slowly. She didn't seem to care, only pulled back when I first stuck my hand in there. I've noticed before with moving her that she really hates being forced to move. So I waited until she started slithering around, and then worked my hand under her and picked her up. She curled up around my hand pretty tight but stayed pretty calm. I got her into her new tank, with water and all that good stuff. She spent awhile curled up in the corner, but then started exploring it. She seems pretty content with it right now. I'm going to leave her alone until Sunday, which is feeding day, and then give her a few more days to settle in.

Hopefully by then she'll be a bit calmer and a bit more relaxed. We'll see.

On a side note, compared to Puppy, she's fast. Really fast. Puppy, no matter what kind of mood he's in, unless he's hunting, is a pretty slow guy. He's just relaxed. She's like... wow. Haha. It amuses me.

Since you bothered her again today I would wait until next Wednesday. Do not disturb her at all unless for water. Then feed her in her tank on wednesday.

First off, I think it's awesome that you're giving these snakes a chance and doing research, and seperated them. Now after a good settling-in period and a few feedings under their belts, I would then begin handling.
I have a few snakes that are just jittery/nippy when first taken from their cages; namely, my two male BPs and my male boa. Weird how my females are not like this, hehe.. but once out, they seem to relax and enjoy. You did good by using a towel to remove the boa; I still do the same thing as mine sometimes gets the "S" shape when I open the cage, thinking a meal's coming in.
I'd get their setups all nice and the temperatures right, and then just give them a nice long settling-in period (a few weeks.) Then get them feeding good.. it will all pay off in te future.

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Originally Posted by joepythons

I will second majority of the advice given here.The only thing i differ on is the rubbing with a broom part.Of course its obvious this snake has never been handled.When i had boas that were nippy or worse i bought a pair of welders gloves(they can bite them till the cows come home,i feel nothing!). I realize this snake is going to be a gift,i think you should have someone with you to help out just incase she nails you and you start to bleed heavily.Even though she is only 4ft she is capable of doing some damage with her teeth.I hope you realize taming her is going to be a lenghty process IF its even possible at this point.Some snakes are just plain mean and they never change.I am not trying to hurt your feeling just pointing out a few things.Did you handle her at all before you handed him the cash? If not then please follow this golden rule that i practice.I will NEVER hand over a single penny to anyone in person unless i am able to check out and handle said snake of my interest.I even do this when buying corn snakes;) .If you stick to this rule you will save yourself alot of money and headaches by not buying a wolverine in a snakes body;) .Last its not a good idea to keep two snakes together unless they are breeding like its allready mentioned here.Somewhere on this site is a thread with a pic of a boa swallowing a ball python.They were both good sized snakes also.

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You would of had fun with my friend's BCI that I was trying to tame. I wore leather gloves and was enough because it was only about 2.5 feet and never felt a bite. But it either liked the taste of leather or really hated me. He would strike and strike and strike.

I figure it's time to give you guys an update on how things are going.

Absinthe's doing a lot better. She's still no where near Puppy's level. She's grown almost a foot since being moved into a bigger tank and kept on a regular feeding schedule.

She still has her days when she likes to strike and hiss at me. Actually, those are a majority of her days. But she lets my boyfriend handle her no problem. She'll hiss at him, but it's all show. His opinion on her preference to him is that she was owned by a male for two years and never knew anything else.

She started shedding a few days ago, but still allows my boyfriend to handle her. It's the oddest sight, to me, knowing her attitude to see my boyfriend curled up on the couch, watching TV, cuddling her as though she's as calm as can be.

She's super shy though. She never comes out of her hide box, that we've seen. But we've discovered that oh boy does she love to swim. If you put her in a bathtub, she'll go and go and go, or just submerge herself completely, head and all, and she'll put up a fit if you take her out.

Considering I bought her for my boyfriend, it doesn't bother me all too much that she has a dislike for me [and other girls]. She lets me get her out for feeding time, and that's really all I need XD

Thanks again for everyone who offered advice =]

It seems lack of attention was most likely what made her this way. I think with much handling she'll settle down eventually. Just keep your movements, in her presence, calm and deliberate. I've got one small ball python and a young African Rock python that are both a bit twitchy at first. I simply lower my open hand palm down slowly till I'm touching them on the head. If they haven't reacted by that time I rub them a bit and talk to them before picking them up. It may take some time, so just be patient ;)


Quig