rtb latching on all the time

[andwhy6]

this is the first rtb i have owned. she is always latching onto me or something around her, a lot like a tree python would. i was wondering if other rtbs out there act the same. she is still little (around 250 g's) if that makes any difference.

[xdeus]

Latching on as in biting or curling around something? Boa Constrictors are primarily terrestrial but do spend a fair amount of time in the trees and are excellent climbers. I know whenever I move my guy he has a tendency to wrap his tail around something to "hold on" until I can unwrap him. I think they just like to feel secure.

[ladywhipple02]

Agreed, boas' tails are extremely strong. All of my boas, from the little baby to the big girl wrap their tails around anything they can reach to feel secure. As stated above, they are mostly terrestrial, but also make excellent climbers---unlike the bulkier BP.

Just their way

[cassandra]

We call the tail thing "safety tail"...my BCC is very clingy and very strong...can't WAIT until she's 8-9', oh yeah...

[aeio540]

My RTB does the same thing. They seem to have a stronger more prehensile tail than the BP's. When I pick up Fingers, he seems to want to hold on with as much body mass as he can. When I hold Motoko, she wraps her tail around my watch and becomes a bit more exploratory.

[ffollett]

All of mine pretty much do the same thing. I have one female that will wrap around your arm so tight she has actually cut of the circulation to it.

[frankykeno]

The big boa we fostered used to use that strong tail to grab small pieces of furniture and drag then along behind her LOL. Nothing like trying to convince 6 feet plus of stubborn, bull strong snake that no she cannot take my nice rattan side table back to her enclosure with her.

They are very good climbers. I watched a nature show on them in the wild and they were hunting up in the trees after baby monkeys. Here's my son's boa enjoying some climbing time (he was of course being spotted by my hubby the whole time just in case).....


The big boa (Rauri aka Sonja) trying to convince my older son that he really, really should let her climb the Xmas tree....

[cassandra]

Holy cats, Sev is getting HUUUUUGE! We need new pics of him! =D

[ladywhipple02]

I am in TOTAL agreement with you there, Cass! I wanna see that boy!

Back on topic... I believe boas can hold 2/3 of their body off the ground as long as their tails are supported around something. They're totally fearless... and very nosey

[ffollett]

This was part of a series of pics we took of one of our girls.