RESCUE!!!

[Bbatson]

I just got a redtail that is 6-7 feet long, he hasnt been handeled in a year, and for that year HE HAS BEEN IN A CLEAR TUPPERWEAR CONTAINER 1+1/2 FOOT HIGH BY 2+1/2 LONG WITH ONLY A HEATED BLANKET!!!! I guess the owner went to jail and this boa has been moved around between a number of homes. The last people who had him were scared as #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& to touch him but fed him well, and he shows no signs of dehydration. It really broke my heart to see him in such a small container, but he seems healthy.---I am taking a break from building his new cage (its about 3foot high and 6and1/2 foot long--he will DEFINATELY have room to stretch out!!!).
The problem is he is obviously traumatized. He is scared. I am no stranger to boas, and I can tell this guy doesn't want to be picked up. I spent a few hours last night with my hand resting lightly on him, after a minute he would relax. Yet this morning I lifted the lid and he got into strike posture. -- I guess my question is how do I treat a "flowers for Algernon" snake!!???? I mean psychologicaly what is going to be the best thing for him?-- I'm thinking once I put him in his new home (in about an hour from now) , I'll give him a few days to get adjusted and than reintroduce myself.

Any comments greatly apreciated

[toker]

Welcome to the site!

From what I have ever been told, the only way to get a snake to calm down is to handle that bugger every chance you get.

I personally think a new home would be good, and yes by all means give him a chance to calm down once in there.

Good luck with him and keep us posted

[peruvianfanatic]

I would get him in his new home first (the one you are building)and leave him be for a week.Then when he is aclimated in his new surroundings,then you can start working with him daily.

[schatzie001]

Welcome to the site, and good luck - give that big 'en lots of good care, gentle handling and he will come around

[LdyDrgn]

Flowers for Algernon... what a great book! Thank you for bringing that memory back.

As the others have said, let him acclimate to his new surroundings for a few days, then move on to handling him daily. I would suggest short sessions in the beginning... 10-15 minutes once a day for a week then twice a day for another week (except for the 2-3 days you allow him to digest that jumbo rat ) I have found that snakes usually respond well to their 'rescuers'. When placed in better conditions, treated well and handled gently, they 'seem to know' they aren't in any danger. *shrug* At least that has been my expereience... Morti's, too.

Good luck... post pics when you can.

[Wrasse]

Possibly the strike pose is not an 'attack you' type of behaviour, but rather food learned. You said the last people were scared of him and possibly, whenever they lifted the lid, it was to purely throw him a rat ? Hence, you lift the lid, he thinks he is to be fed ?
Will be interesting to see how he turns out in new surrounds and with different handler behaviour.
Good luck with him and kudos to you for taking him on.