Do I smell....mean?

[elbee]

Hey guys, I was just wondering if anyone else had experience with aggressive hog island boa babies. I think mine hates me. Got him from Vin Russo and he is simply GORGEOUS. A 2012 baby. He doesn't seem to mind my husband who can pick him up fine it seems. Last time I held him he was chillin on my wrist for like 10 min. Then he decided to move and I thought he just wanted to explore. Nope, seems he just wanted to eat my face. Literally took a bite on my lip. He lets go, so it seems defensive. He strikes at me when I clean his cage etc. He has escaped twice and been found. Sneakly little man, lol. I want to be able to hold him and even though he is little it makes me nervous around him, just waiting for it. I'm used to my laid back bps I guess. Granted my husband barely interacts with him but each time he has, Banjo has been fine. Do I smell like a mean lady? He is in a 15 qt tub, 90 hot spot, 60% humidity with a nice cozy hide and a nice rat fuzzy each week. So, why does he hate me? I do understand he will probably calm with age but I'm still getting used to a boa's personality I suppose

[MootWorm]

Sorry I don't have any advice except to regular, short handling sessions and hope he calms with age. I'm in the same boat with one of mine I just wanted to say your title cracked me up!!!

[Daybreaker]

My Hog is a fart, she acts like a turd when first taking her out to be handled but does calm once she figures her bluffing isn't working. She was a very well behaved baby until she got into her "teenager" phase though. I bet yours will calm in time! And on the topic of a snake acting differently when someone else is handling them: my baby Cali Kings act totally crazy when my bf handles them (flinging poo and musking) but they won't do this with me. Likewise my bf's motley corn tries to eat me every time I handle her and she's fine with him.

[Willie76]

Quick questions: How long have you had your Hog? What is his birth date?

Over the years, I have owned or currently own everything from Balls, to Colombian BCIs, to Jungles, Retics, and Colubrids. While some just seem to be a bit nippier than others, we all know snakes tag basically for two reasons: Food and Fear. I am no stranger to getting tagged from my BPs, JCPs, and even my Retic. The fact remains for all of them though: The more regular handling they endured, the less they struck out. A 2012 baby is still small enough that he thinks everything is out to eat him. So as I have recommended many times before, handle regularly, handle with confidence, and if need be...wear a long sleeved shirt and some gloves (or in your case....a hockey mask) until he calms down and trusts you.

I also noticed you feed him one rat fuzzy a week? Maybe bump him up to a rat pup. We also need to be aware though some days, they just want to be left alone. My retic is a good one to let me know, "Not today dad".

[Pyrate81]

This maybe a little deep but there could be a other reasons:

-gender: some animals are more apt to hang around, get attached to, or "like" a specific sex more. I've seen dogs and birds do this and find my rat snake and cali king flock to females more than males.

-smell: slighty off of Daybreaker's scenario, maybe you smell "funky" to him in some way. Like your title says "mean", but not really mean. Perhaps try handling directly after a shower or bath. If you use different soap than your SO, it could be the soap or even the shampoo.

-kids: If you have kids(under 10yrs old) and they are old enough perhaps one of the kids can handle him and give you another perspective on it. A lot of times, kids are more in tune with nature and the spiritual world because they still haven't been taught that such things are "nonsense". Perhaps they can get a better feel for the animal than you.


In general I find people who have "odd pets" such as reptiles and uncommon fish or rodents are much more in tune with nature and commune better with it.

Just tossing things out there to give it a different perspective. Hope it helps.


PS- Daybreaker. Your hog is cute, and looks like he's giving you the nonstop stink eye.

[MrLang]

He can smell your fear.

[SnowShredder]

I have a 50% hog isle and he's always been kinda crabby. Never bit me but is hissy. During feeding time he'll strike the plexiglass on his cage. He's never been mean though, just crabby