Cranky Boa

[HVani]

SO Cy has been cranky the past few days. He's in shed but he went into the clear phase a couple days ago. I've been checking his enclosure in the evening for a shed for the past couple nights. Whenever I open the door he starts hissing.

I'm not sure the best way to handle it. The first night I took him out for a bit hoping to show him that being hissy does not make me go away. The next night I just checked his tank, checked his water then left. I'm not sure which is the best course of action. I'm leaning towards just leaving him alone since he is in shed. But I want to make sure I catch the shed so I can feed him. Last time he shed I missed it because it was balled up in a hide and he was off from his feeding day by a week. This time I want to catch it so I can mark it in my notes and feed him as needed.

I'm also considering getting a hook and starting hook training so I can avoid getting bit once he's bigger.

He's my first boa. I'm not afraid of getting bit but I want to do what's best to help him be comfortable.

[HVani]

When I got home today, Cy had shed and was in a much better mood.

Any tips for the next time he's feeling moody?

[carbn8]

Let him be, and do his thing. We don't like it when people walk in on us while were changing clothes. : )

[interloc]

I'm not trying to come off as a meanie here but I may by accident. Snakes are in no way like a dog or cat. With animals that are domesticated, they can understand that you don't mean harm when you are approaching the animal. Snakes don't have that instinct. They know that they aren't in a great mood and there is a thing coming toward them and they want it to leave. By going in and trying to handle your snake during the hissing, you are probably stressing it out more, essentially doing the opposite of what your intentions were. My advise would be to leave him be for a few days and let him shed in peace. Snakes don't tend to like being handled. Even tame snakes dont like it. Its just something they put up with. Snakes are really only concerned with food and finding a heat source. Bodies are warm, therfor a human makes a good place to hang out for a while. I've found that with cranky snakes, best time to handle them is a day or 2 after a meal. They are full, they've been sitting on heat trying to digest, they are generally more content. When they start to get hungry then they parade around the enclosure looking for food. This wouldnt be a good time for handling since they are likely to strike anything that moves. Good luck with your boa. I'm sure he's just a bit upset with his old outfit.

[Gio]

Pretty good advice above.

I just don't handle my animals during shed. It is a critical time period for them. They have reduced visibility, and they are using energy reserves to shed, and digest. Usually there is some type of waste elimination during the shed phase.

As stated above, the snake doesn't know you are there to handle it, and by instinct wants to avoid potential predators and harm.

If you are experiencing this EVERY time you try to handle the snake, I suggest hook training and then handling the animal.

It may cause initial stress, but working with the snake consistently usually calms it and gets it accustomed to handling. I suggest doing this frequently before the animal develops some real size.

It was mentioned above to do this 2-3 days after a meal and I agree.

[HVani]

Thanks for the advice . He's totally back to normal after his shed. I imagine shedding is uncomfortable, it looks itchy.

I typically leave my snakes alone during shed but none of the others are so crabby.