How to Tame a Boa

[Monty]

handling is the key to taming i mean you arent gonna get them 100% tame they still have the wild side in them so there is still a chance of being bit no matter how calm or tame your snakes my be always be mindful that they can bite

[eddyhead]

so i cant even get him out of his cage...he seems fine at first when i started to pick him up and then he just started striking like crazy..missed me every time. but i got the message lol. so i let him stay in...im lost and confused on what to do...i mean if he is striking obviously he feels threatened so i dont want to stress him out by taking him out even when he is striking...

[Monty]

i would handle him in the cage and let him crawl around your hand and get used to your scent

[Patrick Long]

OK, try this.

when he looks like he is gonna strike spray him with a water bottle, might knock him outta that mode.

[eddyhead]

i would handle him in the cage and let him crawl around your hand and get used to your scent

thats how it started and he was fine..for like 3-4 mins then i wanted to get him out cause he seem fine. and as soon as i almost got towards the oppening and started to strike randomly every where it wasnt even close to me, so i just set him back on his vines

[eddyhead]

OK, try this.

when he looks like he is gonna strike spray him with a water bottle, might knock him outta that mode.

ill try it....is this a common practice? seems like it would piss him off more lol i know it would be me

[Monty]

might just be scared of the inital pick up i would just keep handling him in the cage and let him crawl up your arm by himself and i would also say if you can get him out of the cage i would sit in a chair or something near the cage so you dont move him around to much when your handling him until he is used to it thats what ive been doing with the big 6 footer i got and he seems to hate going back into the cage. but least you got a lil guy the bite wont be as bad. im just waiting for the day

[Patrick Long]

Some people tap the snakes head, some people blow air in their face, some mist with water in the face (im not saying to just hose him, but a gentle spray).

Once he is in your hands does he calm down, or have we not got that far yet?

[eddyhead]

might just be scared of the inital pick up i would just keep handling him in the cage and let him crawl up your arm by himself and i would also say if you can get him out of the cage i would sit in a chair or something near the cage so you dont move him around to much when your handling him until he is used to it thats what ive been doing with the big 6 footer i got and he seems to hate going back into the cage. but least you got a lil guy the bite wont be as bad. im just waiting for the day

ok i will try that, im still havent recieved my first bite so im still nervous for the first one...and yes i am glad hes not as big as your guy.lol im more worried bout my friends..i dont want him to bite anyone..except for me

[Monty]

lol well getting bit has to do with the nature of owning snakes ive been bit plenty of time from smaller pythons and baby boas. i dont think ill be ready for this guy but o well and also keep your movements at a steady motion no jerking around no sudden bumps or anything and keep the room quiet. i would say handle him only bout 5 - 10 mins if you even get far enough to take him out of the tank. once he realizes that snapping in the air will make you put him down he will "learn" that and use it to his advantage.