hissing at me!!!

redfeather2006 · 09-13-10, 04:45 PM

Hello,

This seemed like the only forum I could find to post a question like this, so here goes.

I own a Hogg Island Boa. He's about 4-4 1/2 feet long, age unknown, but young. He's been an absolute doll for the past several months, but today he made a drastic change.

I opened his cage to pull him out and take some pictures. I lifted up his log like i always do, and went to reach for him. When I did that, he hissed!! he hissed at me and took up a striking pose. even when my roomate tried to get him, he did the same thing. He looks like he might be ready to shed soon, but he's never shown this kind of agression before, even when shedding. He hasn't eaten in a week and a half, but he's gone longer without food (two weeks) with no probem. Does anyone ahve any idea what's going on? He looks healthy to me...maybe I'm wrong?

I've attached a couple of pictures that I took today.

Thankyou!!

presspirate · 09-14-10, 12:19 AM

Thats a nice looking snake you got.

Leave him alone until after he has shed. Snakes can't see well when they are in blue, therefor do not know really whats going on around them. Let him get that old skin off and he should be back to his old self.

And welcome to the forums!

Lankyrob · 09-14-10, 01:18 AM

Personally i think some sheds they get more ornery than others. I have a corn that has never had any probs when shedding, has been handled and fed even when in deepest blue. This time he was all tail shaking and hissing as soon as his eyes started to cloud. He is now out of shed and back to his normal laid back self.

I would just leave your guy alone til after the shed and see how he is then.

emseeKAY · 09-14-10, 08:12 AM

agreed with rob, can't do too much about it, let him be for the time being and then see how he is after the shed! good luck! hes quite the looker!

kenchenzo · 09-14-10, 01:17 PM

my boa was doing the exact same thing last week.
then he shed and all is well again.
good luck.

redfeather2006 · 09-14-10, 04:09 PM

Thankyou for the compliments!!!

And you guys were all COMPLETELY RIGHT. Rocky shed last night and right now he's wrapped aroudn the bun in my hair and laying over my shoulders...his old usual self!!! I guess I'm just kind of new to snakes and didn't really know what was going on. He's a fast shedder so thankfully he's back to his old self today, watching the TV (no really, he watches the TV when I'm playing video games)

Thanks for everything!!!

gonesnakee · 09-14-10, 05:11 PM

Sounds like you woke up a snake that was in shed, I'm grouchy when I get woken up as well

Mark

Marica · 09-22-10, 10:17 AM

Glad he's back to his old self. He's a very handsome boy.

Irish Eyes · 10-01-10, 12:29 PM

Do all Hogg Island Boas look as fantastic as your guy does? I love his coloration and those dark spots.

Glad he's back to his old self, now. Big, bitey snakes aren't nearly as much fun as big, mellow guys, eh? :-)