Agressive big boa in a bad condition

[Pitonica]

Hi. I have never fed him live but I don't know about the previous owner. He came with a tip of his tail missing (mentioned in the first post here) so that's why im worried it didn't shed right again aldough I keep the humidity well and he has a nice size pool he can soak in whenever he wants. I have a good zoomed shedding aid spray and I will use that on his tail. The rest of him shed fine. Neck doesn't look swollen.To me he looks skinny and too soft when I try to move him, he has more loose skin and less muscle at least Its my opinion, maybe that is because he is an older snake or his immunity needs to improve. He looks better thats for sure. He drinks like a doggy in the first few minutes that I put him fresh water which is every two days or if he poops/pees in there. So he is well hydrated. Aspen works ok for now aldough I would switch him to cardboard or newspaper just to be sure...
I never saw anyone hold him, not even a previous owner so I don't know what to expect, im totally in the dark. He acts curious and calm when I approach him, but when trying to pick him up or hold him anywhere near his first part of the body - he gives the S position and stiffens, than goes slowly right to my hand that holds him. That is REALLY scary cause I don't know will he bite or just see wtf is going on, who are you, you are waarm, don't touch meeeeee, aaaaaaa...(I can almost hear him speaking with the face he makes...haha, so I need 3-4 hands to get him out. The previous owner described him as a scary bitey attacker and as a result he gave him away. If you ask me, this boa doesn't know what a hand is and is scared of any contact resulting him to be defensive, he lacks trust from anyone trying to touch him as he is not used to that. maybe he spent years not being handled. So what I think I need to do is to patiently keep getting him used to my touch and my scent as something positive, than to let him go out of enclosure himself and explore a bit, stretch out, than return him in, as calm as possible, than upgrade to more touching and staying out.
I think he can be fine, just with patience and handeling. The first Im managing, the second would be much easier if I had one bigger snake experienced person by my side. I read tons of info about them and looked at the videos but no study can replace real practice. My heart is in my throat every time his head turns faster to my hands, cant help not to imagine what would he do close to mz head, maybe going berserk once out of the cage.
I will just have to brake the ice and try, just wish he was smaller to begin with
I asked if they can call someone boa experienced to help me but no luck. Only person to help me is the one feeling exactly like me, which is pointless relying on pure luck as this kind of snake needs someone who knows what he/she is doing with no fear in the head.
Usually the more defensive bitey or skittish reptiles I begin to handle end up being my favourite and more tame than others so Im hoping same will be with him.

Thanks guys.
Will update if any change.

[Prognathodon]

My husband’s red-tailed boa is a sweetheart, but the S posture did take some getting used to. I’ve seen a couple posters of different boa morphs, and they’re all shown S-ed up. Between that and handling husband’s boy we’ve learned that it’s a boa thing, not like a BP that’s getting ready to strike. But we got to learn that with a baby! I’d probably be intimidated by a big boy with a bad reputation, too.

Since he hasn’t bitten you, only investigated, it sounds like you’re on the right track and getting used to each other.


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[Pitonica]

My husband’s red-tailed boa is a sweetheart, but the S posture did take some getting used to. I’ve seen a couple posters of different boa morphs, and they’re all shown S-ed up. Between that and handling husband’s boy we’ve learned that it’s a boa thing, not like a BP that’s getting ready to strike. But we got to learn that with a baby! I’d probably be intimidated by a big boy with a bad reputation, too.

Since he hasn’t bitten you, only investigated, it sounds like you’re on the right track and getting used to each other.


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Yea, I can see by his posture besides the S, that he is scared, gets all cramped up..and than relaxes after a minute or few.
Well tomorrow I have to clean his entire cage well so he is out one way or the other


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[AbsoluteApril]

Agreed that boas do like to sit in the 'S' posture. He really doesn't sound like an aggressive boa, just a scared guy.
Having been bit by a few adult boas, the fear of the bite is so much worse than the bite itself.
You'll do great and hopefully he will too!

[Pitonica]

Agreed that boas do like to sit in the 'S' posture. He really doesn't sound like an aggressive boa, just a scared guy.
Having been bit by a few adult boas, the fear of the bite is so much worse than the bite itself.
You'll do great and hopefully he will too!

If I can ask you..ive seen the skeleton and teeth of the grown boa and how they grow towards the inside and that it can really mess you up hahahh. If this snake has never been handeled and its more than 10years old, looks like that..than she thinks of me as a monster
Where did the snake bite you and why?
Im afraid more from her strong coil if she freaks out.. than a bite...


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[AbsoluteApril]

One of them bit me on the back of my hand as I was reaching into the enclosure to change the water, just a quick tag, caught me totally off guard (that was the first boa bite). Left some pin prick marks on the back of my hand from her teeth.

The worst one was my big girl (she was about 7.5' at the time) during feeding. I had the f/t rat on tongs in one hand, was opening the plexi front cage with the other, the door slipped out of my hand and she turned and grabbed that hand instead of the rat. She fully grabbed and coiled, I dropped the tongs and rat to use my free hand to grab her behind the head in hopes it would get her to let go. No luck, she kept a hold on me and was starting to move her body to loop around my hands and arm. So I pulled her out of the cage and onto the floor and moved to get out of the room (headed to the bathroom so I could dunk her head in water). As soon as we were out of the room and in the hallway away from the smell of rat, she let go and uncoiled me. That one was a little messy simply because I jerked away and was trying to pull her off, so her teeth dragged a little in my skin making some small cuts.

Both were not too bad, not nearly as bad as I had expected. A little blood and in the second case, a little bruising. However within days it was almost completely healed up and one week later couldn't even see the marks.
A boa bite feels kind of like a slap or a light punch. The teeth are not too bad and I never had the feeling of being stabbed or needles or anything like that. It's more the shock of it than anything. My heart raced and my hands shook from the adrenaline but the pain wasn't bad. Pulling away is an instinct but try not to as that is what can actually make the bite worse. Most boa bites are quick tags, they slap you with an open mouth and retreat. The only coil was the one I mention and that was feeding related. I've never had a defensive boa try to bite and coil.

If an adult boa does coil, unwrap them from the tail end first, you won't be able to pull them off from the head.

[Pitonica]

One of them bit me on the back of my hand as I was reaching into the enclosure to change the water, just a quick tag, caught me totally off guard (that was the first boa bite). Left some pin prick marks on the back of my hand from her teeth.

The worst one was my big girl (she was about 7.5' at the time) during feeding. I had the f/t rat on tongs in one hand, was opening the plexi front cage with the other, the door slipped out of my hand and she turned and grabbed that hand instead of the rat. She fully grabbed and coiled, I dropped the tongs and rat to use my free hand to grab her behind the head in hopes it would get her to let go. No luck, she kept a hold on me and was starting to move her body to loop around my hands and arm. So I pulled her out of the cage and onto the floor and moved to get out of the room (headed to the bathroom so I could dunk her head in water). As soon as we were out of the room and in the hallway away from the smell of rat, she let go and uncoiled me. That one was a little messy simply because I jerked away and was trying to pull her off, so her teeth dragged a little in my skin making some small cuts.

Both were not too bad, not nearly as bad as I had expected. A little blood and in the second case, a little bruising. However within days it was almost completely healed up and one week later couldn't even see the marks.
A boa bite feels kind of like a slap or a light punch. The teeth are not too bad and I never had the feeling of being stabbed or needles or anything like that. It's more the shock of it than anything. My heart raced and my hands shook from the adrenaline but the pain wasn't bad. Pulling away is an instinct but try not to as that is what can actually make the bite worse. Most boa bites are quick tags, they slap you with an open mouth and retreat. The only coil was the one I mention and that was feeding related. I've never had a defensive boa try to bite and coil.

If an adult boa does coil, unwrap them from the tail end first, you won't be able to pull them off from the head.

Oh gosh... The rat thing must of been so bad, aldough not snakes fault
Thanks for explaining, couldn't help not to imagen it
I am just wondering, is it possible that a boa coils if not food related ?
Yours don't luckily

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[JodanOrNoDan]

I consider any bite from any constrictor that coils after the strike a food related bite whether there is food present or not. If they bite and coil the intent at least at that moment is to eat what they have grabbed.

[Pitonica]

I consider any bite from any constrictor that coils after the strike a food related bite whether there is food present or not. If they bite and coil the intent at least at that moment is to eat what they have grabbed.

Well That's just lovely
And makes sense.
Imagen that your own snake wants to eat you...well at least trying..





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[bcr229]

Imagen that your own snake wants to eat you...well at least trying..

It's not personal. They strike at scent, heat, and movement.

This is a pretty good video of how to handle defensive snakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDjlg1njtfY

Also something I've found with mine is not to let yourself be backlit. Watch your shadow - if it lands on the snake it will instinctively consider that a threat from a predator.