Aggressive Behavior

[Rosietheboa]

What is considered aggressive behavior for a boa? I have a year old red tail boa name Rosie. I’m not necessarily scared of her I just want to know what normal what what to look for when she wants to be left alone. The main thing she does when I go to take her out that scares me is jerk her head to any movement I make so I get scared to pick her up. Is that her just checking me out or is she about to bite me if I pick her up? How do you know if they are about to bite? She has only bitten me when u was feeding her and she “accudetly” over shot the mouse and got my hand

[Jim Smith]

I would suggest that you handle your snake a couple of times a week for about a month. Only handle her long enough for her to get relaxed in your hands for a few moments, then put her back in her enclosure. You can usually tell when a snake relaxes by it posture. If they are keeping their head and neck drawn back in a striking position, then they are still tense and ready to bite if they feel threatened. Sit still while you support her body but do not pass anything in front of her. After about 5 minutes she should start to relax and crawl through your hands. You can let her do this for a minute of so, but place her back in her enclosure so she isn't too stressed out. After you do this for a couple of weeks, you will see her relax much sooner, and after a month or so, she should not see you as a threat and be fairly relaxed when you pick her up. I do not usually recommend handling snakes too often, but if you get one that is starting to become defensive and striking or biting, it is best to get them used to being handled quickly or it will be much more difficult to get them to a state of mind where they can be handled without much risk of being bitten. This has worked well for me on one of my BRB and I can now take him out for any reason without risk of being bitten.

[Rosietheboa]

Thank you so much! So her filling my hand is defensive behavior? I thought so but she goes in the flower pot I gave her so it’s kinda hard to maneuver around her when I try to take her out but I’ll figure something out thanks again!

[lonewolf1253]

Always use tongs when feeding the snake so it doesn't associate your hand with feeding time. They don't have to be special snake tongs. Those made for the grill will do.
My 1 1/2 year old is a very aggressive feeder so I prod her, not with the tongs but a long blunt object, to let her know its handling time and not feeding time. Boa's react to fast, jerky movements so move slowly and deliberately when handling them. Boa's move slowly and deliberately and so should you when handling one.
Also, get to know the snakes moods and posturing. I sometimes take mine over to my recliner and handle her for long periods. I think how often and how long depends on the snake.

[Andy_G]

Tap training is imperative with larger snakes. With tap training, you gently touch or tap the snake on the head/neck with an object (usually a hook, and the longer the better, but you can use anything really, even paper towel rolls) you can use to let them know that it is not food entering the cage so that this food response will cease. Works with almost all individual snakes. That is really the best way to avoid food response bites.

I'd agree with the above in that you should always be using the appropriate length of tongs to offer prey so that there's no chance of a snake overshooting prey and biting you instead.