Am I worrying about nothing

[kingsnakes]

Hi

I own a Red tail Boa who is 8 feet long and 8 years old, I have only had him about 4 weeks. The chap I got him off has had him since hatchling and only been bitten once and that was a mistake on he's part. I also thought my Boa was a female but have been informed he is definately male. I handle him every other day and he seems fine. The problem I have (if it is a problem) is he spends so much time in the S shape when out of his tank (unless he is trying to get away) I usually have him out for a hour or so, and he is always gauranteed to hiss at least 4 to 5 times in the time he is out, he dosen't do long hisses they are just short ones. He has never made any attempt to bite me, but my concern is will he bite me or anybody else and thats why he's hissing. If anyone visits me I always keep him in is Vivarium because I'm worried he may try to bite who is visiting me if I have him out. Would really appreciate some advice on this matter or to hear from people who have or have had this problem (if it is a problem)

Thanks.

[Invictus]

An hour is WAY too long to have a boa out. Limit it to 15 minutes and not every day. And yes, if he is curled up in an S position and hissing, the odds are very good that he will strike at anything that moves in front of him.

[snakehunter]

Redtails are normally kinda testy, he is fine, and probably reacting to the extended handling periods.

[kingsnakes]

Hi Invictus,

He dosen't curl up in the S and then start hissing, he goes into the S when he his not trying to slither off. With the hissing he does this every now and again for no apparent reason, (only when out of his Viv)
I read on a few forums and in a few books that half hour to 1 hour every other day is about right for handling an adult Boa, handling once a week is not enough.

Would appreciate if you would feedback on this.

Thanks...

[bistrobob85]

hahahahaha, handling once a week is not enough??? I manipulate my snakes every 1-2 weeks and never for more than 20 minutes. I have never had a snake hissing at me while out of its cage ( in my humble collection ), not even my ETBs!! I think your snake may just stress out a little bit because he need a little rest from long periods of attention when he's out of its cage. Try to take him out for smaller periods of time and defenetly not as often...

phil.

[Invictus]

If the snake is testy, then no, once a week is not enough to calm it down. If the snake is otherwise fine, use your discretion... but trust me on the 1 hour thing. 20 mins, as suggested by Phil, is about as far as you wanna go with that.

[RB420]

i notice if i take my boa out for more than 20-25 mins she kinda get a little aggitated. i have only had her for just shy of 2 months and m still learning to read her behaviour patterns, but i limit my self to 15-25 mins. never any more. i have yet to be bitten and she has only ever hissed at me once and that was when i took her out while she was shedding in order to clean up some crap.

[C.ADAMANTEUS]

Ive had mine for 6 yrs this month, and I handle her a couple times a week. I try to put her up after 20 minutes or so, but she says longer. usually, about 45 min. Only time she bit me was after handling a bird, and acting like an apprentice by getting her out without washing up. OUCH!
Rick

[ydnic]

I wouldn`t have him out around other people. It could cause a lot of problems for you or him a lot of problems if he bit a less understanding friend

[The Dragon Lady]

Also keep in mind you just moved him (4 weeks is okay normally but each snake is an individual), I would cut the handling down to 15-25 minutes once a week for a few weeks. I would also wait 2 weeks with no handling to let him really de-stress.

Is he in shed? How many weeks has this behaviour been going on?

Laura