New and have a question on a snake !!

danyellelynn05 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-23-2006, 11:46 PM

Hi ! Well my boyfirend just moved in and with him came his snake !! AHH ! It is a redtail boa , it is about 1 1/2 years old. The problem since we have been to gether he hasnt seen much of his snake , he works 11 hour days and then spends time with me. So we now have a snake who is mean !! He has been picking it up daily since he has moved in but it still strikes at us. Any other ideas ?? Is there hope we can make him tame again ?? He has to wear gloves to pick it up it !! What can we do !! Thank you all !!! Daniellle

seduisant_sang · #2 (**permalink**) 01-23-2006, 11:54 PM

I am definately no expert, I'm actually a bit of a novice, but I think I can get my ten cents in. Snakes are, in my opinion, the easiest animals to handle when aggressive. If you slowly stroke her/his back and then pick it up away from your body, she/he should see you as a branch/trees and eventually get used to the scent.

Vin · #3 (**permalink**) 01-23-2006, 11:54 PM

tip no 1, mind your face! lol. only joking.

I have a boa of the same age, it was a Rescue, it was very aggressive.
Patience and no sudden movement is the key, just try holding it every day.
If your tank opens from the top, try to get one that opens from the front, they seem to feel less threatened that way, it worked for mine anyway, it was a tip I got from the guys here.

ps. its kitten tame now

danyellelynn05 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-24-2006, 12:03 AM

i have always been afraid of snakes but yet intiriged (sp?) i really want to like this snake and hold it myself ! So there is hope then ! Whith handeling it daily it shouldnt take to long for it to be tame again ! Good !

Vin · #5 (**permalink**) 01-24-2006, 12:05 AM

could take a few weeks - months.
good luck and and enjoy your snake

Pork Chops N' Corn Bread · #6 (**permalink**) 01-24-2006, 12:21 AM

I would handle it every other day for 15 minutes at least. Everyday could cause stress and since he is already nervous what good would that do having a nervous snake. Since snakes love to be alone too much handling will cause stress as they are not used to it. I have not seen a snake that loves to be help, I think they just tolerate it. Although lots of them will explore when out of their cages

tmfleo1 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-24-2006, 12:22 AM

Welcome to RTB like the other post it will take some time a patients RTB are easy to tame in my oppion

Sponger05 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-24-2006, 12:28 AM

That's good you're motivated to try to work with the snake, your boyfriend is lucky. As everyone said just get some leather gloves and if he strikes you dont flinch or scream or run, just let them bite the glove and show the snake it does not hurt.

Everyone else covered the other stuf-f

danyellelynn05 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-24-2006, 01:11 AM

LOL ! Yeah he had on his winter gloves !! Ok so maybe tonite i may try this !! AHH !! Now another dumb question iam sure! How fast do they move like if i hold him and he gets on the floor will he book , or are they slow movers ?? Is this a good snake for me to get used to as a first snake ?? Thank you !!

Pork Chops N' Corn Bread · #10 (**permalink**) 01-24-2006, 01:17 AM

IMO rtb are not the best starter snakes because they have the posibility to reach 8'+ although it takes quite a few years. A good snake to get is a corn snake. Calm, rarely get over 5' and are very good with children or even unexperienced keepers. A snake of such size and a good temper will help get you familiar with snakes. RTB are slow movers. They can move quite fast but not a problem as long as there is nothing in reach they can get into. Remember, where the head goes, the body usually follows.

JuliusSqueezer · #11 (**permalink**) 01-24-2006, 01:35 AM

I hate to throw a monkey wrench in the advice...but reaching in and petting the snake before picking it up will get you bit more often. They aren't domestic animals. They don't understand petting as affection. To them, it's something big that might can eat them, poking at them. They often learn over time to put up with it...but an already nippy snake needs no added anxiety. Open the cage, put your hand with fingers together and flat, quickly but gently over the snake's head and cover it so he can't see. You can also use a towel. Then just pick him up. He's at this point too preoccupied trying to figure out why the lights went out to worry about you. Once he's out, just let him explore. I'm assuming these strikes are occuring from in the cage when you are reaching in after him. Does he ever strike while he's out being held?

danyellelynn05 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-24-2006, 01:41 AM

No he only strikes when we try to pick him up, i will tell my boyfriend that towel trick ! Thank you !!

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