My first snake.....Boa constrictor imperator

[Nick_schembri]

Hi, this is cocoa, my first boa. Its about 3 feet long. As you can see from the pics he was being very very agressive, which was a surprise to me because he was really calm at the petstore.
I'm obviously not experienced, but have done my research.
Does this snake look like its in its shedding cycle? How far in, do you think it is?

[Nick_schembri]

showing agression

[Nick_schembri]

Showing rainbow colours

[Nick_schembri]

Last one

[louie]

Very Nice Boa!!! I love the cnnecting saddles and the deep Red/orange color,Great find. Mike

[denny_rimes]

Welcome to "The Tank"!
That is a very nice boa..a great pet store find. :'(
With regular handling his aggression should taper off quite a bit and eventually he should be fairly docile.

If you just got him recently, I would suggest that you leave him alone for a couple weeks to acclimate to his new environment. After that, handling for a few miutes every other day or so will calm him down!

Denny ;D

[Nick_schembri]

Thanks for the advice, His eyes seem very slightly cloudy. Could this be just shedding agression?

[denny_rimes]

He's in shed. Keep him fairly humid for a week or so until he sheds. Most boas do not like to be handled while in shed.

Denny

[Nick_schembri]

He's definately in shed....got blue eyes now and practically living in the water

[HeavenlyHerps]

Welcome to the "Tank" I know were your coming for with your first boa. I got my first boa form a local pet store he was a wild caught mexican boa. He was very aggresive. This is the method that I used to keep him from biting me while he was getting used to getting handled. I went to petco and got what is used for dogs called Bitter Apple. Dogs hate the tast and smell of it and apperiently so do boas. After the boa bit me two to three time he realized that I didnt tast that great and he stoped bitting. He still showed his aggresiveness twords me but he was reluctent to bite. After sometime he calmed down and didnt show any aggresiveness at all. All it takes is a little time and understanding. Hope that helped.

[ChrisGilbert]

Congrats on your new Boa.

Just thought I would chime in here. You boa looks much like my Argentine X Colombian from Peter Kahl. Now I know quite a few people do this cross, so it is very possible. I don't have pics up here but you can go to Kingsnake.com photo gallery and look up the username ChrisGilbert. You will find some pictures of my Cross.
I personally love this cross, in its best forms, because it looks so much like an Arabesque. Just a LOT cheaper!

Take care and use the resources of the forum.

[beastie]

welcome!! that first boa's just the beginning, so i hope you have a lot of room and $$!! :P

that's a very nice looking, and actually kinda unique snake you have there! can't wait to see him come out of shed!

and like everyone else has said, just give him some time alone, let him get used to his surroundings & shed, and then take your time letting him get used to you and realize you're not going to try and eat him.

good luck & welcome!

bc

[Nick_schembri]

He finally shed, much brighter now. Here are some pics. I held him quite a bit today, he only showed agression once (and I got a pic of it.
Thanks for your replies
Nicky

[Nick_schembri]

another

[Nick_schembri]

One of his backside

[Nick_schembri]

Checkered ventral view

[Nick_schembri]

'S' pose

[boxingboa]

Nice photos.He has some personality too him.Glad to hear he is calming down some.He is a nice looking boa.Enjoy him