need help with columbian rainbow boa

aurora · 06-10-12, 08:11 PM

I've got a 1 1/2 year old clumbian rainbow boa for about a month now. The prvius owner said it never has been striking at anynody unless it was shedding. But since we have the snake it has bit almost everybody who tries to handle it. It eats very well and sheds great, it also love it enclosure. We also feed it in a seperate container. What advice do you guys have to deal with this snake. Please help, it is my 17 year old daughter's snake and she is terrified of it.

Thanks

marvelfreak · 06-19-12, 09:46 PM

If it bites don't put it down keep holding it for a few minutes longer. If you put it right down then you're reinforcing the behavior that if it bites it will be left alone. You can try hook training. It's were you touch the snake head with a snake hook when ever your going to pick it up. These teaches the snake to know when it will be handle.

alessia55 · 06-19-12, 10:10 PM

Have you given it enough time to settle down? You've only had him for a month. Is he feeding well for you? You might want to just give him more time to get used to his new home. What are the temps and humidity like in his enclosure? Also, feeding outside the enclosure does not prevent or create "aggression." Your snake's behavior sounds defensive- which means he is feeling vulnerable and/or threatened, and is striking in defense. Let him settle in, and keep handling sessions very short at first. If he nips or bites you, just continue holding him for a few minutes until he calms down a little, and then put him back. Do not put him back immediately because, as Chuck said, it will only reinforce the behavior (biting = being put back in the enclosure). Good luck!

CDN_Blood · 06-20-12, 04:49 AM

It's probably going to take 5-6 months for it to readjust to new handlers and environment (as previously mentioned), and during that time it'll likely continue to be a little nippy. I would recommend feeding it in it's enclosure also, simply to avoid more stress to the animal.

I think there is a lot of good advice in the original thread you posted about this same issue a few days ago...