Another weird question

phaedrus · #1 (**permalink**) 06-15-2002, 07:24 AM

So, here's the scoop. I've had Ted (RTB) for a little over two months. I spend a lot of time with him. I mean a LOT of time. The first thing I do when I get home from work is take him out of his cage, handle him a bit and then rest him around my neck where he usually just perches. (He's about 5 months old and about 30" long). Then I go about making dinner. Yes, it can be a hassle if I have to reposition him. Then I have to wash my hands thoroughly and then go back to making dinner.

Once dinner is done, he stays there while I eat. We go for walks (responsible, of course. I didn't get him to impress or scare people. These are usually private walks) or drives in the car. If I'm lying down watching TV, he's usually curled up under my shirt with me.

He gets tubbies once or twice a week and I watch him wander around the living room to get some exercise. Truth to tell, he probably spends more time out of his cage than in it. The only time I really don't handle him is for the two days after he eats.

So, here's what's worrying me. When I first started handling him, he would always curl his tail around something as a safety anchor - usually my necklace or bracelet. That way, if he wandered too far, he wouldn't fall off me. And of course, if I thought he was getting over balanced, I would carefully reposition him. Now, he's lackadaisical and carefree. He hardly ever anchors himself and when he's around my neck, he tries to climb my head and sometimes rolls off. I'm usually lying on the floor when this happens and I catch him. But there have been a couple of times when he's tumbled onto the floor or the pillow I'm lying on. (When he tumbles, it's a fall of 3-4 inches onto a carpet or pillow so he doesn't get hurt)

I thought it was the nature of snakes to secure themselves so that they don't fall? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] Is this a sign of disorientation, the beginnings of some neurological problem or is it because that since I spend so much time handling him that he's that comfortable with me and feels entirely safe and secure with me.

Someone please tell me that I'm just worrying too much [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]

Other than this somewhat disregard for his own safety, he acts totally normal.
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RevMojo · #2 (**permalink**) 06-15-2002, 07:30 AM

The first boa I had used to love to coil up on top of my head when I was watching TV...

Probably just a sign that it's comfortable with being handled

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#3 (**permalink**) 06-15-2002, 07:34 AM

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>or is it because that since I spend so much time handling him that he's that comfortable with me and feels entirely safe and secure with me.
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I'd go with that thought myself [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] Sounds like your boa is growing up and is quite comfortable with you is all. My big uns like 8'+ can get like that sometimes and it is a PITA when such happens as I need others to help "adjust" them and try to get them to "anchor" to ya on like the arm or such.
Don't fret, unless he starts showing some drastic signs of neuro problems like star gazing or the like.. he's just fine [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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bensnacks · #4 (**permalink**) 06-15-2002, 07:52 AM

'Cleetus' my spotted python is quite clumsy
,he will fall asleep on a perch under his lamp
and sometimes slide off and land with a thud on
the bottom of his cage 14 inches below. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

I think pythons & boas must be pretty robust.!
Its common for carpet pythons to drop 10 ft.
& often a lot more while 'embracing ' a possum.
The whole heap coming down with a crash!
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JC86 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-15-2002, 04:54 PM

Lol

I'm sorry but I can't help but laugh everytime I think about a snake falling. It's so funny! All of of mine have done it.

My corn snake's cage is an aquarium with one of those sliding screen tops...well somehow he'll jam himself up along the very top edge of the 25 gallon aquarium and 'slitther' upside down on the top of the aquarium! Needless to say the only way he ever gets down is falling, and it's a good foot and a half. He usually falls on aspen, but sometimes hits his waterbowl. Considering he does it so much I dun't think falling really hurts snakes too much. The weight of their body compared to the surface area that hits the ground (at least of the smaller ones) makes the impact with the ground not too traumatic.

This said I'd not let yer snake fall too much=p

Scott
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XzyluM · #6 (**permalink**) 06-15-2002, 09:04 PM

I would go with the thought that he is feeling safe and secure when being handled. Snakes fall out of trees all the time in the wild. A few drops wouldn't hurt him. But I would be careful to prevent them from happening to much.
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zupanm · #7 (**permalink**) 06-17-2002, 04:04 PM

Snakes can fall from trees and be just fine. Everything has a terminal velocity and cannot break that. You can through a mouse out of a plane and if it doesn't have a heart attack on the way down it will land and run away cause its has a very slow terminal velocity.
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coferj · #8 (**permalink**) 06-17-2002, 05:53 PM

Yea, my bci is a clutz! It'll start crawling along my arm, then the slide starts...I have to really pay attention b/c if I'm walking with it, it might encounter a good 6' drop or so...but, oh, well...I've gotten used to it.

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Isak007 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-24-2002, 08:43 PM

my snake doesn;t ussually fall, it just jumps down like if he wants to fall, he's really weird because once he just striked the ground for no reason..
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savannah_babe · #10 (**permalink**) 06-28-2002, 11:02 PM

yea i think everyone is right...my snakes do the same thing...lol i
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EerieStyleWavelength · #11 (**permalink**) 06-30-2002, 06:11 AM

Can you hold a snake too much. I have a ball python. 1 year old. Hardly hold him because of aall the paristes ans sheds and underfeeding I had to care for when I got him. Now he is through that but doesn't like to be held. I owuld like to hold him but am uncomfortable because he get away from me or strikes.
For 2 weeks I can only use one hand due to stitches on the other from a cat foood lid (ouch) that got my finger and artery. And I don't want to drop him> Can someone give me pointers on how much to hold him by day so I can build his trust to be held as much and like all of you. I would Love to take him for walks. He has striked at others also when I have held him. This is my first snake so I am learning. I would appreciate any advice. He is a male and 2 and a half feet long. Thanks!

BTW. Red Tailed Boas are beautiful!
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Bry · #12 (**permalink**) 06-30-2002, 06:43 AM

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> Yea, my bci is a clutz! It'll start crawling along my arm, then the slide starts...I have to really pay attention b/c if I'm walking with it, it might encounter a good 6' drop or so...but, oh, well...I've gotten used to it.
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JUST how tall are you, coferi? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]

Bry
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phaedrus · #13 (**permalink**) 06-30-2002, 06:54 AM

Eerie, I've heard that BPs can be a real pain. I'm not the expert on them, but from what I've heard here, handle often and handle a lot. Try putting a "used" shirt into the same tank. That way, it'll get used to your scent.

When removing him from the cage, wave to him to get his attention - if he isn't hiding. If he is, lift his hide and pet him about 1/2 down his body. Let him know it's you and not some predator.

When picking him up, lift him about 1/3 to 1/2 way down his body. Never by his neck.

Don't handle during sheds and when you do handle, don't smell like a prey item.

Just a recommendation, you may want to repost this as a new topic. You may get more responses.

I'm sure the BP owners out there will also respond and be of more help than I.

Check out this care sheet about handling snakes. There's a section about how to handle snakes that don't want to be held.

Oh, and Welcome to RTB!
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