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mpgt · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 05:55 PM

I haven't got my hands around my Amazon Tree Boa yet. I've only had him for a week. I've had him on a hook twice, and we had him out at my friend's house the night he gave him to me. I've seen him strike in defense twice. Other than that though, he moves slowly and with purpose toward me whenever he's out of the cage. I don't know what to make of it. Is he trying to see me better? Does he want to bite

, or get some love

?

I can't see him moving closer like that, just to bite me. If he was looking to bite, wouldn't he just coil back and wait for the chance?

All opinions welcome. I'll let you know when he tells me the answer.

Thanks!

morti · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 07:11 PM

ATB's are little freaks. Their movements and behavior is different than any other snake I have ever seen. They will cock back into a quad S shape and just sit there waiting for movement and not bite, or they will gingerly move forward like they are smelling and lay you open.

You just don't know and you never can tell until you get really used to their proclivities.

SiUK · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 07:47 PM

mine does exactly the same she seems on the verge of striking every time I open the tub, she moves at me neck in S shape ready to strike, but she very rarely does strike, I hook her though to be on the safe side because I dont fancy being bitten.

morti · #4 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 12:30 PM

I suggest you treat any ATB with the same rules as a loaded gun:

1. It is always dangerous, even when you think it is unloaded.
2. Don't point it at anything you are not willing to destroy.

MegF · #5 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 12:47 AM

I find that mine tend to come up toward your face. I've also found that an s-shape does not mean a striking position as with other species...it's just the way they sit. Katari is totally fine to handle. As long as you don't move too rapidly around him, he will not bite. He usually just mock strikes at fast moving objects, I've never had him actually bite anything. My new ATB's seem to be pretty good. I use gloves to get them out of the cage, but once out, the male at least seems pretty good. I haven't handled the gravid female much at all. Just to put her in her tub after I received her, and once while I was changing some stuff in there. She struck at the gloves, but gave it up once I held her. I don't blame her though. She's very full of babies and probably feels a bit defensive as a result. The loaner female I have is pure evil though.She will strike at the lid of the tub if I even go in there to check on them. I definitely wear gloves with her. If nothing else, she can nail the gloves instead of my face! They are a curious species though. I've never had anything quite like them before. Katari will literally sniff you like a dog. It's the weirdest thing.

SiUK · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morti

I suggest you treat any ATB with the same rules as a loaded gun:

1. It is always dangerous, even when you think it is unloaded.
2. Don't point it at anything you are not willing to destroy.

that made me laugh

VexalUntil · #7 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007, 05:41 AM

Old post but I'll add my experience with ammies.

I have one female that I bought from the illustrious JuliusSqueezer waaay back in 2002. She was born on Christmas day in 2001. She was nippy as a baby but I started holding her a good bit and feeding her in a separate container. Now I can just reach in barehanded and pick her up any time of the day. Even if she's coiled up fast asleep or at night. I could probably pick her up while she's opaque and not get struck at. When I have her out she always wants to climb on top of my head. Usually by coming straight at my face then, but I trust her enough to let her crawl up. Like Meg said, as long as I don't make quick movements she is perfectly happy. But the weird part is that once I have her out for long periods of time, 30-45 minutes, it's as if she finds some confidence and will give me a strike now and again.

The male I received from a pet store as a young adult. He was about 4-5' and breeding age when I got him. I've had him for about a year now. He will strike on occasion when I clean his cage or move to take him out. But for the most part I can reach in barehanded with him as well and he will not strike at me.

Both of my Ammies do share one common behavior. If they are alert and awake when I open each of their cages, they immediately come out to investigate. I move my hand slowly into the cage and hold it there allowing them to come up and "sniff" my hand. They will then move back and that's when I reach in to pick them up.

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