My sons snake is becoming aggressive...help
@tabitha_calhoun (247)
United States
January 31, 2007 7:57am CST
We purchased a Rosy Boa about a year ago. When we bought it, it was the most gentle snake I had ever seen. It loved kids and would never bite. Now it has started bitting everytime you try to pick it up. I dont understand it. What would cause this kind of change in a snake? I dont want to get rid of it, but its to the point that my children are scared to hold it anymore for fear of getting bit. If I cant figure out how to fix it, I will have no choice but to sell her.
2 people like this
6 responses
@tokyotiger4242 (82)
• United States
31 Jan 07
Do you feed him live food? That could be part of the problem. I feed mine frozen mice, it helps to keep him more calm. It's because he doesn't have to work for his food. Maybe if you're feeding him live, you might want to try frozen for a couple of months and see if that helps at all. You can purchase frozen mice just about anywhere, even at PetSmart. At Petsmart here they have them close to the fish, with all their frozen foods. Good luck to you, I'd hate if you had to get rid of her. It sounds like you and your children really enjoy her! And, If you decide you do have to get rid of her and you decide to get something else.. Ball Pythons are really non-agressive and calm.
@tabitha_calhoun (247)
• United States
31 Jan 07
No, I feed him frozen pinkies. I dont like messing with the live ones. lol. I dont know what his deal is. Thanks for the input though.
1 person likes this
@tokyotiger4242 (82)
• United States
31 Jan 07
I couldn't stand feeding mine live ones, I felt horrible for doing that to something living and breathing. Now, a frozen mice is the same as frozen beef to me...
@coldpizza4breakfast (27)
• United States
10 Feb 07
I was going to ask also if you were feeding him live mice or frozen. It is so much better to feed frozen, both for you and for the snake.
Also, it's much better if you feed him someplace other than his cage. If you feed him in the cage he will associate your hand coming into the cage (as it would when you feed him) as having food even when you don't. And of course he'll strike. It is also helpful to wash your hands before handling him and to put that hand sanitizer stuff on your hands before you reach into the cage. He might smell something on your hands that he translates into food.
As for how to get him to stop biting... that's harder than training him to not bite in the first place.
My daughter has two Red-Tailed Boas and they are very docile.
@tabitha_calhoun (247)
• United States
31 Jan 07
Thanks you. No thanks on the cat though. Ill stick with my dogs, horses, and turtles.
1 person likes this
@jan135 (535)
• Australia
8 Mar 07
I am not an expert by any means on snakes but we do keep several pythons.
Have you tried getting your snake out of its home with a hook, one that you buy from the pet shop.
We have had snakes hiss and lunge when trying to get them out of their homes, its as if they don't want to be handled.
We found once out of their home that the snake would be ok.
@aretha (2538)
• United States
16 Feb 07
i would love to help but one of my biggest fears are snakes and i would never allow one in my house. some people are braver than me i live in oklahoma and we have snakes here and i am so afraid of seeing one in my yard so i know nothing about them but good luck i hope it works out for you
@LightninStrike (5915)
• Saint Vincent And The Grenadines
16 Feb 07
snakes are wild animals, and they will always be no matter how many years they spend at home. So you should be careful with that. I've always said that i don't think i'd give my kids a wild pet...i wouldn't feel safe about it.
I think that if the snake is getting agressive it would be a good idea to sell her.
@SKLC_PT (1234)
•
16 Feb 07
Why don't you try finding reptile forums to ask experts on the opinion as myLot can only go so far as to answering a question, maybe someone that's an expert on reptiles can give you a more detailed reason on why your snake's acting the way it is. Maybe this one can help you http://www.boatips.com/forum/index.php but if it doesn't try to search one and maybe even your local vet can provide the right info. Selling it can be a good idea however if the snake is aggressive the person you sell it to should be aware of it before buying it.
