Temperamental Hog Island Boa

[mmjson33]

Hey guys! So my friend gave me her hog island boa a couple weeks ago cause she was moving and couldn't keep her. I'm not sure how old the snake is but she is fully grown and is eating just fine. However, I got her about two weeks ago and she CONSTANTLY hisses at me. She won't let me pick her up because she will hiss and retract her head as if she's about to bite and I don't want to make her uncomfortable. I talked to her previous owner and she said that the snake would hiss sometimes but not all that often, so I'm a little worried. This is also my first boa so I want to make sure I don't do anything that will upset her. Other boa owners: how long does it usually take a snake to adjust to its surroundings? Is this behavior normal? I'm really worried that I got stuck with a snake that I can't even interact with.

Thanks!

[Sonny1318]

It's been quite a few years since my last hog island. But I always thought for the most part they were a little high strung. Some snakes just aren't the happy little campers we want them to be. Try to hold and see if it calms down once you pick it up. But it might bite you, but that's the chance you might also have to take. You could try picking it up with a hook or by placing a towel over its head. Sometimes they calm down through interaction. Sometimes they're just the way they are. Good luck. I have one out of six who's a little high strung, he calms down a little once you have him out. They're snakes, don't know what else to say.

[Marissa@MKmorphs]

While I don't have any Hogg Islands, I have 10 BCI, 1 BCC, and 1 BCA. Coincidentally, my largest BCI is not always the happiest, and I had a period where she was SO cage aggressive to the point where I almost considered rehoming her, but through patience and taking a lot of time learning her behaviors I'm happy to report that we have a much better relationship.

However, I will say, that I don't think what is happening with you is cage aggression. From the sounds of it you have tried handling/messing with her at least a few times and she has only been with you two weeks. When I get new animals, I don't handle except for cleaning during the entire quarantine period (at LEAST 60 days). I have also found that older animals have a much harder time adjusting to new people/environments.

Another thing I would triple check is make sure your husbandry is spot on. That can also be a stressor for her.

As a side note, you can enjoy a snake without handling it frequently or for long periods of time

[Sauzo]

Like Marissa said, check that temps, humidity, hides and general husbandry are good. Also make sure the snake has places she can retreat to and feel safe. This is a big thing since if the snake can never "unwind"(yes I know, bad pun), then it will probably never calm down. Also its only been 2 weeks, some snakes take longer to mellow and some take shorter. I would just change the water and do the daily stuff and let the snake get used to you. Also when you go to pick her up, if she hisses, just keep going and pick her up. You don't want to "teach" them that hissing will mean you leave them alone. That will just reinforce that behavior. If you show them that hissing gets them nowhere, they will usually quit but again, I would give her a few weeks to settle in before you try and handle her. My general rule of thumb is no needless handling until they have taken 3-4 meals with no problems. Then you can start working with the whole trust issue.

As for normal, well both my BCIs settled in really quick and are like puppy dogs but again I gave them time and gave them plenty of hides if they wanted them. This opportunity for security I think has made them much more relaxed. Now Dottie my BP, when I got her, the lady told me she hadn't eaten in almost 3 weeks and had bit her 6 times(pretty much every time she went to pick her up). Dottie was a 12" baby at this time. Well I got her home and set up and within 2 days, she was slamming little rat pups and eating every 3-4 days as well as calming down. She never stuck at me except when it was feeding time lol but she was very head shy and you could tell she had a stressful beginning. Now 6 months later and she is just over 3', weighs 1062g and is mellow and a lot less head shy. She still will sometimes hide her head if there is a quick movement but she is MUCH better. So bottom line is give your boa plenty of security and once she realizes you aren't a giant Godzilla monster who is going to eat her, she will probably calm down. Good luck.

[BWB]

My little girl is cranky at times about coming out of her warm, cozy hide but I don't let a little hissing stop me. Actually the last few times that I wanted to take her out she has been good and getting better at exploring. She has been shy and has a hard time leaving my arm to look around. Going back into her enclosure is the hardest part as she stretches in every direction trying to stay out. Keep working with your snake and she will get accustomed to being picked up, learning what your actions are all about. They are a great pet and so much fun to interact with.

[mmjson33]

thanks for the tips! I've never owned a snake before so any advice is appreciated! ^_^ not handling her for a while sounds like a good idea...I'm hoping with time she'll come around.

[Marissa@MKmorphs]

Congrats on being a first time snake owner! With snakes, patience is key. Also, remember that they are not like cats and dogs that crave our affection. I like to think of it as the snake tolerating me messing with them and handling them, rather than wanting it or enjoying it. To them, we are a big scary predator and they don't know if they should fear us. Build trust. It takes time, but is very rewarding.

BCI also don't feed as often or on very large prey, so be careful not to overfeed. I would recommend starting to hook train also so she knows feeding time vs any other time you interact with her. What I do with all of my boas is just reach in with the hook and lightly rub their head and body to let them know I'm there and that I'm not food. In time you will begin to understand her body language and know what she is trying to say with her posture and demeanor.

As far as reinforcing that hissing gets you to leave her alone, I don't really put that theory into action with boas. My goal is for the snake to have a positive handling experience. If a boa is being jumpy, hissy, defensive, or running away from me, I just leave them alone until the next time I want to handle. Every person is different and has different advice, so try a little bit of everything, and see what works best for you and your snake baby.

[mmjson33]

Thank you! This is really good advice! Much appreciated!

[elbee]

My Hog island is also very grumpy. Once I've got him out though he is okay.

[Sauzo]

Actually I swear Vicky loves to come out. She will stretch out on me and just sit there for an hour or so almost like she went to sleep lol. Then when I do try and put her back, she goes crazy and climbs up my arm and wraps my hand and wont let go or climb onto her PVC monkey bars in her cage. Rosey is usually the same way but recently she has been in lounge mode and only wanting to sit with her head outside the cage door and not wanting to actually come out and explore. Now this is my BCIs, my BP enjoys being out for about 5 mins, then she wants to find a nice dark spot under a pillow or couch cushion or blanket and just curl up. She would be content to never come out of her hides I think. But I do agree, they aren't like dogs or cats and don't want to be bugged all the time. I usually take my BCIs out every other day and my BP every 3 days or so.