Please, I would like any advice possible. :] ( A lot of reading, sorry.)

Joxn · 01-17-14, 03:01 PM

So to start, I've had my own boa for a few years now. He's always been tame, and never bitten me once.
Recently I went and adopted/rescued a larger boa.
She's around 7ft long, I'm going to guess that she's been near neglected recently though. She was pretty thin for her size when I got her, and the previous owners of her were not feeding her the correct size of rats needed.
I'm not 100% sure if this is the reason or not; but recently the larger boa has completed two full shed cycles before my 4-5 ft boa has even completed one. My guess of this is because I've been feeding her larger rats than she's been given in the past.
Alright, I'm somewhat rambling to try and give as best description of the snake as possible.

Here's my main concern though. I've never been bitten by this snake (Yet.) Although she has bitten my sister twice now. I feel that she may have been bitten for a couple reasons. She usually takes the snake out to show her off to friends ( Who are usually loud, and I'm not sure how she holds this snake since she's so used to holding the smaller one. ) Both the times she has been bitten has been while she takes her out around friends though, so I'm guessing the amount of people make my new snake nervous?

The other day I tried to go pick my snake up a couple days after I feel my sister added even more stress to the snake. She and her friends had music playing quite often. And by music, I mean LOUD base. So I kept telling them it would aggravate the snake further.

Here's where my questions start now. If a snake was slightly neglected somewhat in the past, is there anyway to help her become more friendly again?
Because she has now hissed at me twice ( The first one happened the day her eyes became blue a few hours after. And the second happened either the same day she finished her latest shed, because she shed during the night.) I'm not sure if this aggressive nature will pass or not?

Here is the biggest concern of mine though. The tank she came in is a very large 120 gallon semi-custom made aquarium with a very tall stand. I'm not the tallest person, I'm 5"7 or 5"8. So it's quite a a task to remove this rather large snake since I have to basically lean over the side with a chair, and try to pick her up from above. ( Which I feel may not be the best way? Since with my other snake I can just pick him up from the front, and slide him out. )
I feel with all of these stressful factors, will it become hopeless? Or is there always a chance to help a defensive snake feel safe again?

(I've mentioned her having bitten my sister at her own fault on two occasions. But, I've held her a few times now with no problems whatsoever.) Just after the recent hissing, and the most recent bite to my sister. I'm concerned she no longer feels safe in her new home.

Additional info; Her take in generally 85 degrees, and has a fluctuating humidity level that I generally keep from 60%-80%

marvelfreak · 01-17-14, 04:56 PM

The key is to just work with her and don't stress her out. It will take time but you can build trust. Plus I wouldn't let your sister near her. She stressing Her out and it could lead to her getting seriously hurt.

mclund · 01-17-14, 05:40 PM

Snakes bite for 2 reasons:
1. Defense
2. to feed
Bringing this animal into it's current situation doesn't really sound like you "rescued" it. If the animal is hissing, it's stressed and wants to be left alone. Snakes don't hear, but the heavy bass is probably not making it any less stressed. I know it bothers me. Keep your sister and anyone else away from it. The snake is not going to be your best friend in a couple of days, so give it some time. Keep on a regimented feeding schedule and limit interaction to just you and the snake. If you are working with the snake and it becomes agitated, give it a break. Be consistent with your interaction time. Snakes are not the smartest animals, it's mostly instinct. If you are willing to put the time in, the animal should calm down. It may take several months. If you keep on the same path you are on, its just a matter of time before you get bit.

bigsnakegirl785 · 01-17-14, 06:25 PM

From what I can tell the snake is biting your sister because she's mistreating her when she brings her out i.e. loud bass music and lots of people around. Lock your sister out from getting to the snake, she doesn't need to be making this whole situation worse for you and your snake. If you want, you can buy a front-opening enclosure which should help you get to the snake and make her feel safer when you do it. Regular exposure to gentle handling should bring her around, but you won't get far if your sister is there to shake her up. If you can get her out of the situation that's upsetting her, I'm sure she'll come around. For everyone's safety, I would keep your sister and her friends away from her.

SnakeyJay · 01-18-14, 03:21 AM

Time and patience are the key here... Get a new front opening viv that's big enough for her and stop everyone else handling it. It's not fair at all to put this stress on the boa while claiming to have "rescued" it.

Mistreated animals generally come with issues- either medical, behavioural or both.. That's why it's a rescue when you save them... Atm this boa isn't being saved, it's just getting used by your sister as bragging rights and aggravated by vibrations from music..

As for the hissing, some larger snakes hiss abit anyway. But it's probably also got something to do with her being stressed and going into shed.

Good luck.

Lankyrob · 01-18-14, 04:41 AM

We rescued an adult corn a few years back, even in a silent room eith one person present it took a six months before i could handle it without it musking, and a year before it would allow my wife to handle it.

The snake needs peace and quiet and calm handling with little noise in the background.