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rockafeller · #1 (**permalink**) 05-02-2002, 05:12 AM

I've kept Ball Pythons for years and have never had a problem with them. I think they are the best snake to keep as pets for the novice.

I've always been fascinated by Boas and wanted one but the size was an issue for me. 8 ft is not what I wanna deal with. But I found smaller insular BCIs to be my ticket into boas. I did my research and found that Corn Island Boas and Cay Caulker Boas were my best bet. They stay under 6 ft and some max out around 4. I chose the Cay Caulker Boas and bought a pair from Gus at Riobravoreptiles.com.

I got the boas today. Now I was warned in advance that they are nippy as neonates but mellow out to be one of the calmest boas of all the BCIs as adults. Now I've NEVER had to deal with bites cause BPs are the most gentle snakes when captive bred. Also, I've done all my homework on Boas, but I was wondering if any of you could add anything related to the personality (temperament) of their snakes. The body language of the boa is very different from my BPs and I was wondering what to look out for.

I know they're stressed right now from the change so I will be taking my time with them but here are a few questions:

1. Should I always beware when they coil back in the S position?

2. How are they with touching the head (my BPs don't care at all)

3. Are there any other signs for when a boa will strike

4. Again I've never been bit, so how bad does a neonates bite hurt?

5. Is there anyone who has kept both BP's and boas and can tell me some of the temperament differences.

6. Do any of you have snappy adults and how do you work around that.

I really think that it's a stress issue and I've also had several owners tell me that they are nippy youngsters but the most mellow adults. I'm really just conerned cause they were incredibly nippy right out of the box today and didn't stop. I really look foward to working with them, but I'm just trying to avoid mistakes by asking questions. I guess mistakes are the best way to learn though so I'll probably just stick my hand in there and see what happens. heh heh. Thanks for any insight you all can give me. I'll take pics this weekend and throw some up for all to see.

Laterz
Rick
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ss26969 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-02-2002, 05:25 AM

i have a argi and the are known to be snippy and mine is fine never bit me yet . but he gets a little mean when he eats. i also have a bp and shes great. if the snake does not want to be messed with he should let you know. every snake is differnt. you just have to learn the personality of your snake. if your scared of a bite wear gloves for awhile. till you get to know the snake. if you do get bit it realy doesn't hurt. i have a bci and she's almost 6 feet and she is a sweet heart. shes sick so i have to give her a shoot every other day and shes great with it. i don't even think she knows whats going on. and its a big needle too. the best thing i can tell ya is to look on the web for snakes and do some research [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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Dr.Oviparous · #3 (**permalink**) 05-02-2002, 11:01 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>I'm really just conerned cause they were incredibly nippy right out of the box today and didn't stop. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

are you leaving them alone for now? In my opinion all snakes need at least a little adjustment period. I would let them be in their enclosure for at least 6-7 days. this gives them a little time to get used to their new environment, and feel at least a little safer. my .02 -Juggalo
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rockafeller · #4 (**permalink**) 05-02-2002, 01:41 PM

Yeah definitely. I always let my BP's adjust to their new setting for about a week before starting to get them accustomed to handling, but I've never had one of them this nippy. I was just wondering if this is a BC thing or did I just catch these guys in a bad mood?
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Dr.Oviparous · #5 (**permalink**) 05-02-2002, 01:51 PM

naw, bci babies are usually a little nippy, just stick with it (and get a camera, cause we wanna see some blood! hehe [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] ) got any pics of them? -Juggalo
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Dragon · #6 (**permalink**) 05-02-2002, 11:35 PM

Well in my experience they tend to get worse as they get bigger. It's as if they realise that they can do more damage than before and go out of their way to prove it! Oh, and it hurts like #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& too! It would also be pretty good to have a few blood bags on hand, just in case.

lol, sorry I'm making all that up. In order

1. They will often coil back into an S when you approach, but they are probably just getting their heads out of your way. It doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be tagged.

2. Don't touch their heads unless absolutely necessary, they don't like it.

3. If they mean business, you will probably be hissed at first. One of our Juveniles sometimes hisses and strikes if he's having a bad hair day.

4. It doesn't hurt at all, it's more a shock than anything else.

5. I have Royals and Boa's and I've found the Royal is much less likely to behave aggressively, but then again I've never really had any real aggressive behaviour out of any of our snakes (except the hognose, who tries to tag me every time I pick him up!)

6. All of our adult snakes have beautiful temperaments so I can't help you there, sorry.

The single and most important piece of advice I can give you from personal experience is this: *Relax*

Relax with your animals and you will be much less likely to be tagged. The reason I say this is because I have found that if you are nervous around them, it's like they can sense it and they can become a bit "frisky". Also, if you are nervous you are more likely to do something to initiate a defensive bite, like sudden movements and panicking to get them away from you. I have seen this a couple of times and it usually results in a bite.

I'm not saying ignore the potential for injury, because it is there. I'm just saying, be cool with your snakes but be responsible, respectful and aware. They are after all wild animals.

BE SAFE!

Enjoy your Boa's, I'm sure you won't have any problems with them if you do things right. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Welcome to RTB! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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morti · #7 (**permalink**) 05-02-2002, 11:54 PM

I keep Boas almost exclusively. I also have one BP... I like the boas better. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Heres the answers to your numbered Qs.

1: I have found that they pop back into that S curve for a lot of different reasons. If you startle them they will do it.. If they are particularly curious about something they will do it. Sometimes they will do it for no good reason. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] I call that the "Keeping My Options Open" postion. It's just a reminder as if they are saying "I am Probably not going to Bite you, but I am just letting you know that it's a possibility" [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

2: Some Boas are head shy, some are not. If you have a neonate, try to get them used to haveing their head messed with. Your vet will appriciate it. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

3: I have noticed that if you mess with them when they are on the ground or in their cage, if they are in motion and in that S position and have their head up off the ground, you are probably going to be tagged. Much like some venemous snakes, my boas seem to want to strike from a coiled position. There is a definate differance between a protective strike and a feeding response strike. Most of the time, mine don't even open their mouths to show me their displeasure... They will just bump me with their nose really hard and fast. I have never had the pleasure of a feeding response strike from my boas but I have had a Kingsnake grab my hand and hang on tight. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

4: It is a shock. By the time you can get the words "You bit me you little Bas..." out it's over and they are back to looking innocent.

5: From my experience, BP's are definately a lot more easy-going than boas. I think boas have more personality. That's why I Love them. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

6: I have a 6 ft adult male that I got in as a rescue. He had been mistreated in the home he was in and was not in good health. He had every reason not to like humans. I just handled him a LOT and now he is one of my calmest snakes. He has gone with me to classrooms full of kids and has not bitten me or anyone else. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] The key is frequent handling.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

-Morti.
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rockafeller · #8 (**permalink**) 05-03-2002, 02:07 AM

Dragon - you scared the crap outa me I thought you were serious for about a millisecond, heh heh.

Morti - that was hilarious. "You bit me you Bas..."

Thanks everyone for all the great advice. I can't wait till the adjustment period is over so I can start getting them used to handling. Boas are a new world of snake to me after my BP's. I'm sure I'll be on here alot.

Thanks
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#9 (**permalink**) 05-03-2002, 08:52 PM

DRAGON!? LMAO [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]
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rockafeller · #10 (**permalink**) 05-04-2002, 07:19 AM

Just wanted to let everyone know that I had both of my Cay Caulkers out of the cages tonight and they were much less nippy. It seems that what sets them off is the initial approach of reaching my hands towards them. They are very skitish and afraid of everything, but once in your hands they are more secure. If I remember correcly, my old roomates Columbian Imperator was the same way. A little skitish while the initial hand approaches but fine once you picked her up. This seems to me to be the difference between Boas and my BPs. I can reach in real quick and pick a BP up without them thinking twice. I gotta get some pics up to show everyone, but I spent the money I was gonna use on a digital camera on them. heh heh So looks like I'll have to settle for old fashioned snap shots and scan em in on my scaner.
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#11 (**permalink**) 05-04-2002, 08:55 PM

Ya gotta remember that Ball Pythons are like the most docile snake around when it comes to handling. Just keep in mind what you have learned from your snakes and take it from there when picking them up is all now. AND The pics are coming.WHEN ?? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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