Vicious males

[cahrens]

Hi everyone. I have 2 males that WERE extremely tame. They were cycled and hopefully 1 of them bred my female. Now everyone is back in their own cage and I've resumed feeding the males. The problem is that now I can't touch them. I can't even reach in the cage. Now I've had boas before that had a feeding response and once picked up with a snake hook they were fine. These guys are different. As soon as they think they can reach you they give it a shot and try to bite. They also hiss a lot. They are some very unhappy boys. To give you some specifics they were all seperated about a month ago and I've fed each of them twice. At first I was thinking that they were probably just hungry since they hadn't eaten during breeding or before that since they were being cooled. After 2 meals I thought they'd settle down though but they aren't. Now I know everyone is gonna say just handle them and they'll settle down which has been my plan but I don't think dodging strikes is considered handling. Has this happened to anyone else and if so how did you overcome it? I personally don't like being bitten and would rather avoid it whenever possible. Perhaps someone knows some secrets they could share. Thanks. -Chris

[Amber]

I don't know if it will work for you but when I go to pick up any of my snakes if they seem tense or aggresive. I wet them down a little. It seems to relax them some. Then I rub them with my hand wet. It seems weird but it works with mine. Ive gotten them out of strike possiton and out of the tank that way.

[Flyride]

When mine are aggresive I either put a towel on there head and pick em up or i wrap a towel around my arm and just take control.

[ratman]

I just run away crying like a little school girl! LOL Nah, I haven't seen that severe of a behavior change except from the female the first couple days after birth! Good luck! :'(

[cahrens]

I just run away crying like a little school girl!
I already tried that. It didn't work. You ever see a boa laugh? Me neither.... till today. Seriously though thanks for the advice. I'll give it a try and I'll post pics if I get bitten and I'll blame it all on whoever's method I was trying at the time. Lol. -Chris

[zenzinia]

Be patient , may be in one week or one month they will become like" before "like they were in their "cage" before.We all know that they can be agressive in their "cage" and tane when they are out ! So , there is one rule , it's not a mamba ! So take it and don't hesitate when you do it (it is very important) and you will see that when they are in your hands every thing will be OK ! Just don't be affraid and do it ! I have some pittbull boa's in their "cages"who get tane in my hands !
It works if you are not affraid , remember it is not a mamba(I have some , green and black ) , you could bleed but not die, so do it and every thing will be OK for you and your boa .

[PauLB]

Chris I wouldnt worry to much. I believe all snakes change when cycled during and after breeding all in different ways. Let them get back to normal temps they should be back to normal in no time.I have also been told to clean birthing cage really good because if they smell the birthing they can become protective.This may or not be instincts.Good luck and get some welders gloves.

[cahrens]

Just thought I'd give everyone a little update here. 1 of my boys has tamed down about 50%. The other about 80% so we're on our way to being a happy family again. I'm not going to say if I've been bitten or not because I'd really hate to jink myself. By the way I worry more about the snakes if a bite were to occur. They could end up injuring their mouth or teeth or worse yet they could catch something from me. Lol. Thanks to all those who replied. -Chris

[denny_rimes]

Awww, they are like sharks, their teeth just grow back. The hard part is finding the darn things to pick them out of your skin with all that blood leaking out. (she says with the voice of experience)LOL ::)

Kathy

[bambam]

Hey man just do what I do. If one of my boa's bites me I bite em back! Show em who's boss. You know I guess this is a good time to let all of you know. I have been keeping boa's for three years now and have not been bitten yet! ;D

[cahrens]

Bambam,
I'm happy for your boas that you haven't been bitten yet. Lol. -Chris

[bambam]

lol chris, Thats why I havent been bitten. They know I mean buisness :-X