My agressive redtail, some advice?

[Swilz]

Hi,

I've been scouring the snake sites for advice concerning my big girl redtail! I've had her for nearly three years, she's very big and heavy and has always been a doll. And this has been how every "agressive snake!" post I've read has sounded.

I've taken the advice I've read, I've upped her food intake. She was feeding on three jumbo rats per week, I am now offering four. Nothing in her tank has changed, she hasn't moved, there is nothing but minimum foot traffic in the snake room, no noises, TV's or radios. I've covered her cage anyways. She is too big for me to handle with a snake hook, she couldn't be dragged out of the cage in that manner.

She is big, closer to seven feet and I don't know how heavy, but uncomfortably heavy for even normal handling. Does anyone have suggestions, other than checking her food size, or temperatures, ect. How can I get her out of the tank (it's a six by 4 by 2 foot glass enclosure) without getting tagged in the face? Or should I even try to get her out while she is like this? The moodiness, striking the cage, hissing has been going on for well over two months with no end in sight. I am at a loss and getting very uncomfortable having an animal I can't even touch. I admit I didn't handle her all that often the last three years, but steady every two weeks she came out, roamed the room or sat on the couch. Never had any problems.

Thank you for any suggestions!

[jason221]

Four jumbo rats per week sounds like A LOT. I'm pretty sure adult females are only supposed to eat every two weeks, and even then, they don't require massive amounts of food. I hope some people that are experienced with adult boas will chime in, but my guess is that she should be eating one appropriately sized rabbit every two weeks.

As for the aggression, I would have thought that she might be in shed but two months is too long for that. You really have to keep at it—leaving her alone except for feeding isn't going to help the situation. I would recommend getting a snake hook. Not only will it help in maintaining some control over her neck/head, but you might be able to "hook train" her. That is, lightly touch her on the head with the hook every time you get her out, and don't touch her at all when feeding. I'm not sure whether you can hook-train an adult boa, but it doesn't hurt to try.

Persistence and confidence are key. If the snake senses you are afraid, she will take advantage of that. If it's purely cage aggression, try opening the cage door and letting her venture outside of the cage before picking her up (although, this has the potential to backfire, so be careful).

[BbyBoa]

If they truly are "Jumbo Rats" 4 is probably way to many for a 7 foot snake, I can't say for sure because I haven't seen her. 3 years with not a lot of handling is a long time and plenty of time for a snake to get its "wild tendencies" back and become aggressive.

The only way you are going to be able to fix it is to handle the snake, she will most likely never just "snap out of it". If it is as bad as you say it is you will probably get tagged a few times, and its going to be a "process". So while handling Wear whatever protection is necessary. I would not use a hook, but thats just my personal opinion, I would only really use a hook for "hots". Anyways the only thing that is going to fix your problem is handling.

[Swilz]

Thank you for your advice.

Four is alot, too many I am already aware. I had been feeding her on two every week, which kept her happy the entire time I've owned her. She hasn't actually been eating the four, but on advice of others I figured I'd offer it up anyways. Trying something seemed better than doing nothing, in my perpective. As for the rabbits, it's a lovely idea but I cannot find them here. It's something I continually check into but with no success.

I will then get help and start handling her however I can, I am not sure how comfortable I feel just letting her out as I forsee a definite struggle getting her back in but I'll give it a go anyways. That was an idea I had orginally, since sticking myself into the enclosure to grab at her has been a distaster. I guess I won't know until I try!

[moravaguy]

ok im new to boas but i will tell my tail.... i got a 6footer from a friend and she was semi mean untill i put her in a tiny 41 qt tub in my rack.... now shes great comfy and happy.... oh and i got her a huge rabbit.... a f/t. since then i have had zero "trust" issues. and now i feed her either a large rabbit once a month or 2 jumbo rats every two weeks.... seems to be plenty, hope it helps

[BoaFreak]

I would say she is way over fed. My earily 08 is about 6 foot and I feed her 1 large rat every 2 weeks and at times She will only eat once a month. I would definitely try to take her down a bit. At 4 jumbos a week, she will be extremely over weight. A burm shouldn't even be eating that much.
As far as the aggression goes. I have to agree with everyone else. It will take time and plenty handling. I would try (like mentioned up top) letting her get out of the tank and see if she calms down. Alot of snakes tend to calm down once out of there enclosure. A pair of thick gloves like welding gloves or something like that may help you feel better secure with getting her out. Other than That I would just really cut her food intake. Hope you can get her attitude strait. Goodluck

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[dragonboy4578]

If she is as aggressive as you say she is consider having another experience snake handler with you just in case. Not trying to scare you, but you are better safe than sorry. I have dealt with a few aggressive burms, and like everyone said the only thing that calmed them down was constant handling, but I always had someone else around. It came in handy once or twice....

Best of luck,

Morgan