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View Full Version : New nippy rosy boa. Taming tips.


Archie_Desu
06-16-17, 03:24 AM
I recently got a rosy boa from my principal in May. He had brought her to school for a snake show and informed me that she did bite him for the first time. Though I'm assuming that she was agitated from being bumped and moved a lot that day. There were new vibrations, she traveled to the school I'm the back of a truck, and he didn't really seem to realize that he was slamming things on the table. So when he gave her to me, he gave me a glove and said that a week of handling should make her stop biting. I feed her as soon as I got home and she ate fine. A few days later I took her out and held her. I literally watched as she slowly bit me. She had sort of rubbed her head then opened her mouth and bit me slowly. I wasn't sure why but I assumed it was because I had just picked her up and she didn't know. It was also apparent that she was not being handled by my principal with many obvious reasons. I didn't move my hand because she had intertwined with it in a weird way and I did not want her to squeeze tighter and break something. I put my hand back in her tank and she let go then. Finals, project, and my sisters graduation came up so I didn't handle sketch again. I did put the glove that my principal gave me on and stick my hand in the tank for sketch is investigate. She got pretty close to my hand but I had to do something so I stopped there. I did this maybe three or more times. I researched a little bit and I let her get used to the environment a little more. Her tank is an upright one so the door opens up like a regular door. Well, sketch decided to burrow right under the handle of the door making it near impossible for me to do anything. Shes quick to investigate anyhing weird and i didnt want her taking the chance of getting out. About 2 weeks ago she finally moved away I started to sit outside her tank to kinda let her get used to me. Then I made a makeshift hook and I rubbed it against her body. I did this for two days. I let her investigate and I pushed her head down a little to see if she would bite or do anything. Then I put on a thin glove and picked her lower body while keeping her head away. She kinda ran away from being picked her so I didn't push anything. She had come back to the front while I put on a glove and I touched her head and body with the makeshift hook and she didn't really mind it. Just looked. I took this as a sign to proceed, thinking she wouldn't bite. I rested my hand close to her head because she was almost out of the door so I didn't want her coming out more. I made sure not to make sudden movements. She stayed still and I moved my hand a little bit then stopped. Im not sure what happened but she struck and bite me. I got startled and yanked my hand way resulting in her coming with. She landed on the floor and I put my jacket over her and picked her up and put her back in her tank. I fed her a few days later and its been about 2 or 3 days since. Its a long explanation but I'm just wondering if there's a reason why she's biting apart from defense or if there's just something that sets her off? I dont know. Thanks if you can help.

regi375
06-16-17, 10:05 AM
It sounds more like food bites than defensive bites. The last time you handled her you probably triggered a feeding response. Keep your hands away from her face. I don't know what other kinds of pets you have, but their scent could have triggered the feeding response as well. Just wash your hands before and after handling her. I'm going to suggest you hook/tap train her as well. Every time you have to go into the cage for cleaning, maintenance, or to handle her, tap her with the hook. When you feed her in the enclosure, don't tap her. Simple as that. To tame her I'd start with weekly handling sessions. Tap her with the hook and gently pick her up from underneath. Don't grab her, because then she only has two defensive options. Musk, or bite. She'll eventually calm down with regular handling sessions. Just slowly increase the frequency and duration of handling. I wish you the best of luck :)

Archie_Desu
06-16-17, 06:38 PM
I'll try that. Thanks