biting columbian red tail?

[robertjnovak59]

I got a male and female baby boa within the last year.
Up until a month ago, I've had no problems. Now, if the female
doesn't want to be picked up, she will gnaw your arm off.
Is this something she will outgrow, or is this something I need to get used to?

[rmfsnakes32]

Have you changed anything in the enclosure? How old is the boa?

[robertjnovak59]

Besides for cleaning it, no I have not changed anything.
Shes not 2 years old yet.

[Aaron_S]

Get used to it. Sometimes they are docile. Sometimes they are not.

[nick654377]

Glad im not the only one going through this with a red tail....

[robertjnovak59]

Does one ever get used to it? Lol

[Lankyrob]

If its only when you pick her up then get yourself a sturdy hook. :)

[Terranaut]

Better to learn to deal with it now than have her change at 7' long.
I would dress appropriately with a thick sweater and gloves anf handle her anyway. Watch your face. She may or may not change back.

[Jendee]

Better to learn to deal with it now than have her change at 7' long.
I would dress appropriately with a thick sweater and gloves anf handle her anyway. Watch your face. She may or may not change back.


true story!! Ive never had an aggressive snake..a few grumpy moments but nothing more then random!
I just got in a 9 ft 47 ib adult females that's nothing short of evil and me and her are still working things out since I have no idea how to go about handling a snake her size that is genuinely out to get me every moment Im in view lol Ive been wearing full snow gear and googles lol while handling her until I get to know her a bit better :D
Good luck!!

[robertjnovak59]

That helps, I've been a little worried about
wearing anything she could get her teeth
snagged on. I was hoping she would grow
out of it, bites aren't bad now, but I really
dont want a bite from a 9 footer.

[Swany]

Be careful with her jendee. All the best on getting to know her :-)

[Ms. Medusa]

I have to admit I prefer to non-protective gear handle my snakes, however I had a yearling carpet girl that was like chainsaw massacre on steroids from about 11 months of age. She wasn't huge but she was a demon. I never did figure out what happened with her to make her behave this way-- no changes to environment, and no discernible issues with her... My first few times handling her around feedings at this point I was left bloodied...and remarking-- Ohh she was cranky this time!

I finally started using a hook with her, and gloves and long sleeves. She honestly never seemed to improve in her attitude....and is living with a good friend of mine now for breeding purposes. I think she wears hazmat for her feedings. Go figure.


My boas--- have always been decidedly sweet with feedings and handling, except when younger--then I found most of them could be a little snippy. All of them have thankfully grown out of it. I hope your girl does too...nothing like a cranky chick who wants to eat your face ;)

[nick654377]

we gotta give our boas some hope. i have a feeling when it comes time to start handling my bcc im going to get nailed by him, bad part is he is already around 3.5-4 feet.

[Squirtle]

Start handling her ASAP. My Albino Burmese Python was the same way, too, when he was about five months old. He used to hiss and snap at me when ever I attempted to handle him, and it was very terrifying for me as he was the first large snake I've ever owned. I started handling him regularly and in just a few weeks he became tame all over again. I trust him around other people and younger kids love him, although I'm always supervising.