Need some expertise on this one!!!

[CDN-Cresties]

Hi, i dont own a boa but my friend does, so this one is for him. He was carrying his 5 foot Columbian boa up the stairs and it bit him in the arm, it let go immdiatley but it then constricted the railing along the stairs. Now he has noticed that it tries to get away from him whenever he holds it. What i like to know is what do you guys think made the boa bite and why does it try to get away from him now. Before it would just hangout on his shoulder and so fore. But like i said my friend has noticed this behaviour change and would like to know what do to?

Thanks

-Steve-

[CDN-Cresties]

anyone? anything would be helpful!
Thanks

-Steve-

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

CRESTIE:

It could be many factors really like this from what I understand it was being walking up stairs and it got defensive.

So I think it was these factors:

Speed
New smells
Handling
New sights
And sounds

Basically if your friend exceeded anuy of these factors from the norm then the boa got defensive. Snakes like security and if any of these factors made the boa unsecure it would lass out. Now once it got itself secure with the railing, it made it self secure and breaking it from that might make it more aggitated. So these 2 situations may have convinced it that its unsecure with your friend.

Also the boa mave have had its own situations like in a bad mood as is, shedding, disturbed before walking it and so on.

Simply let it be in its cage for a bit like 1 - 2 weeks alone, do not change its life style with heat, humidity, cage set up and lighting. Try feediong it in that time and if things look good as before then it is getting relaxed a bit.

Most Columbian boas in my experience do not get that excited but something did trigger so avoid that whole scene again.

Cya

Tony

[Frankie]

I'm no expert by any means but it sounds if your buddy has lost the trust of the boa.Did he juggle the snake on the way up the stairs or hold him to tight? Most of the time you get bit it's due to feeding error or a defensive bite. He just needs to keep working with it. Hope this helps you out some.

[CDN-Cresties]

Thanks guys, ill pass on the word to him.

-Steve-

[paul_le_snake]

it has nothing to do with trust. snakes are far too basic to have that understanding. basically it got scared. like boas and pythons said. it had a whole lot of new things going on around it. maybe ur friend had the smell of a mammal on the arm. ive heard so many times about people being the boss over snakes. that doesnt happen, ever. snakes need to feel secure not controlled. they just dont and cant comprehend that emotion.
cheers
paul

[Linds]

It was one of two things, either a feeding response or a defense reaction. There are many things that can set off a defense bite, and there are 4 main things that can set off a feeding response - smell, feel, heat, and sight. Though snakes vision isn't their strong point, if something was dangled in front of them they may mistake it for food.

Snakes are snakes, and as Paul said, they act on instincts. Snakes will bite, even the most docile snake is prone to bite in the right situation. Many bites are easily prevented.

[paul_le_snake]

well said linds. i got a 4 ft spotted python that latched onto my finger in a pure feeding response. totally my fault and had nothing to do with the snake at all. she was just doing what she knew what to do
cheers
paul

[Mike177]

it is also possoble that when your freind walked up the stars the boa head strayed twards the railing and as your freind was walking the snake got smacked in the head by a bar. it was most likely a feeding responce like what was said, but it could be anything.

[djnzlab]

hi,
My guess is the boa was confused ,by all the activity, I wonder if he was holding the boa in such a way it was painful to the boa.
He may have struck out after a light rap to the head by the wall or the rail..
Had he fed anyone that day and not completly removed all the rat scent from his hand.
I ve heard of adult mature boa's having seasonal mood swings..
doug