Boa Handling

[brummit3]

I have been looking up Kenyan Sand Boas and Rosy Boas and from what I have heard they all seem to be pretty docile and tame out of the enclosure. However, I have also found a couple sources saying they aren't very tame and can be kind of nippy. I am just curious as if this is true or if they are simply making a mistake (like not washing their hands after handling mice) and it is not truly the snakes fault. Thanks for your input!

[BarelyBreathing]

My Kenyans can be nippy if they're under their substrate and you go to grab them. Once they're out, they're great. If you want to avoid getting bitten, use a small hook to pull them out, but in all honesty, it really doesn't hurt.

[Caylan]

In case you heard from me, I have to work... I can't really be dancing with the snakes all the time and sometimes I just reach in and pick them up, probably similar to a predator... they never actually bit, but would flail or do a harsh flinch I guess, and end up stabbing me with their tail!! Once they're out they realize quickly what's going on and they are calmer, but they can still flinch or get startled easily from quick movements... Only time's they bite me is when I accidently grab their head.... darn things fool me sometimes.... Aspen and Kenyans seem to work well together... Generally not nippy, depending on approach of course.

[brummit3]

Thanks for responding! I am thinking about getting a kenyan Sand Boa as my first snake and that was one of my concerns. Thanks again

[SSSSnakes]

I have had both kinds of snakes and I have had them both be nice and nasty. As with all snakes, you can find some that are docile and you can find some that are aggressive. You never really know what you are going to get. Some snakes start off one way and as they grow they get a different attitude. Good luck.

[Conner90]

I love Rosy Boas and I've only ever seen one person get bit. Most definitely not the snakes fault at all though, took her out in public and everyone wanted to touch my albino Rosy. People were cluttering around my wife who was holding her and she turned and bit my wife. My wife laughed about it and she has never even acted aggressive once since then.