It is “in blue” (eyes are opaque) before shedding.Photo contributed by Simone Loi Do not attempt to handle your boa constrictor if…
BABY BOA CONSTRICTOR PRO
PRO TIP: Pearl Island boas tend to be more slippery during handling than other Boas, so be careful to keep a good grip on these. Otherwise, relax and just let the snake do its thing.
BABY BOA CONSTRICTOR FREE
If the snake is moving in a direction you don’t want it to go, use your free hand to gently guide its head away. Support the snake’s body and use a loose grip to enable it to move freely. Don’t tense up (just keep breathing if you’re nervous), don’t chase, grab, or restrain it. Snakes see humans in one of three ways: predator, prey, or weird tree. This is normal, not an assassination attempt. During handling, your boa will treat you like a tree, wrapping around your body, arms, etc. Since snakes don’t have hands or feet to help them climb, they use their powerful muscles to wrap around objects for stability. NEVER pick up a snake by its tail - this can cause severe damage to their spine. One hand should be behind the head and another should support the rest of the body. Babies can be lifted and placed in your hands with the hook, but if you have an full-grown adult then it may be helpful to have another person help you if the boa is a full-grown adult. Use a snake hook to initially grab and lift the snake, then use your hands to take out the rest of its body.
Once the snake shows calm, slow tongue flicks, it is safe to pick it up. This lets the snake know that it’s time for handling - not food - and prevents potential accidents caused by a misunderstanding. Once your hands are clean and smell like chemicals, use a paper towel roll or snake hook to gently tap your boa on the head. I like to rub hand sanitizer on my hands as well to make sure I’m labeled by a consistent scent that is very different from food. If you are particularly smelly/have been spending a lot of time around other animals, it is also advisable to change clothes. This gets weird scents off, and removes potentially harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites from your hands.
BABY BOA CONSTRICTOR HOW TO
How to handle a boa constrictorīefore you get your boa out of its enclosure, wash hands with soap and water.
Wait at least 1 week before you first start to handle the snake, or if it is hiding and defensive, wait until it is eating regularly before you attempt to start handling. Photo contributed by John Bazyk When you first bring your boa home… This is for the safety of the snake as well as the child. If handleability is important to you, buy captive bred (CB or CBB) and ask the breeder about the snake’s disposition, as well as its parents’ dispositions.Īs with dogs, cats, horses, birds, and other pets, never leave a child unattended with your pet boa. Snake personality is pretty much luck of the draw. If it doesn’t mind frequent handling and is tolerant of being shuffled around, it may make a great educational animal. If, despite your best efforts, it prefers to be left alone, then let it be a beautiful display animal. Respect the fact that the snake is an individual, and treat it according to its wishes. Some boas seem to genuinely appreciate handling, and others don’t care for it. And some, just as with cats and dogs, are safer than others. “My 3 year old son is more cause for concern!”īoa constrictors and larger snakes are active, intelligent animals with individual personalities that must be respected.“They are only dangerous if you intimidate them, abuse or neglect them, or don’t handle them.“I am more afraid of getting injured by a dog than the largest of boas.”.“About as dangerous as your average paperweight.”.“It’s a lot like a large ball python that knows how to eat.”.Here are some quotes from actual boa constrictor keepers on the subject: Regular boa constrictor handling, when done correctly, can also be a beneficial source of exercise and enrichment for your pet.ĭue to the fact that some boa species are capable of growing up to 10-11’ long, as well as the fearsome reputation created by media fearmongering, many people worry that boa constrictors are dangerous pets. Whether you prefer to keep it as a display animal, companion, or educational animal, getting it used to handling makes chores such as taking it to the vet and cleaning its enclosure a lot easier. Handling is an essential part of owning a pet snake.
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