My big disappointment.....

[L.West]

Yes, both my RTB's will "s" up when I attempt to reach in their cage. Once I do get them out - they are better but still not calm like my bps are.

I much prefer the temperment of my bps - they will hang around on your shoulders forever if you let them.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I had a similer problem but one that was my own fault. One of my super dwarf retics was spooked by my son and bit me. Prior to this she was sweet and tame. For a long time I had to use a hook to get her out. These guys are flighty anyway but she was terrible after that. It took a couple months but I finally got to where I can take her out without the hook without worrying about being bitten. She is still more flighty than before but Im earning her trust back. Of my 2 boas, the female is flighty and will strike when you try to take her out. They are not for everyone but the bigger snakes can be so rewarding with time and experience. If you trade yours and you ever plan to try again just be sure to get a baby. Maybe go to a show so you can handle different boas and interact with them before making a decision.

[BuckeyeBalls]

Yea iv held many boas and they are more flighty/active then bps. But some are just wild. Our's is wild when hes out but after a few mins he calms down a bit. But if you spook him at all he starts to get wild again.

Maybe you can trade yours in for a baby?

[llovelace]

I have a male rtb that i took in a year ago he is approx 3.5 yrs old, he has cage aggression something fierce, it took time but now he is very docile when out of his enclosure.

Also have a 6.5 foot female that was acquired last Aug. at a show, we should have named her speedy, she used to be all over the place when taken out of her enclosure, but would settle down after about 10 minutes or so. Now when we take her out she will just lay on the bed with you.

How often were these rtb's handled prior to your acquiring them?

Just give it time, they will settle down, but you have to consistent with the handling schedules. just start off with a few minutes per day, and increase from there.

Good luck if you decide to keep them.

[BuckeyeBalls]

I dont want to defer people away from this site but i would also ask over at

http://www.redtailboas.com

So saying people here are not helpful but there are more "boa people" over there

[jfreels]

Good luck asking over there. As a "newbie", every post or thread you start has to go through moderation which can take a day. But I don't see why you would need to go over there...they have boas and some of us have boas. I am registered there and posted there but don't quite like the atmosphere.

[L.West]

Hi Everyone,

I am still trying to decide on how to proceed. Over last couple of days I've noticed that the main issue is trying to get them out of their cage - they just seem to want to escape from me - but if I use the hook to move them to the front of the cage and then reach in and pick them up it seems to go fine, once they are out and being held they seem to calm down.

Do you guys think that if I hold them more often it would get them used to being held and curb the cage aggression?? My only worry with that is that I would be stressing them out too often and may have a reverse effect on them.

Your thoughts.