As someone who has boas. Hold them everyday if possible with the exception of a few days after they eat. Gloves hold back actual bonding. A snake feeling your skin helps them get comfortable with you
I adopted a Ball python from owners who FORGOT they had him and left him in the basement for 9 months. When I got him he was really really skinny and super aggressive if you even came in the room he would freak out. After about a month of super feeding him trying to get him back up to a normal weight I started the bonding process which was hard considering he was an older abused python. First time I took him out he just bit right down on my arm and would not let go so I was like "well ok if you just to just keep biting my arm then you are also going to come watch TV with me". I did this process for a couple of days and he stopped biting me after about 4-5 days and now he is pretty calm and relaxed. Still have the scars though XD
I believe that when you have earned a snake's trust, that is the equivalent of "love" in the snake world. These creatures don't trust just anyone. I have some more esoteric thoughts about snakes and their propensity (or lack of...) to love, but I promise I won't subject anyone to these LMAO.
9:05 Boa constrictors like many snakes have great eyesight, they don't do not rely on it for anything other than identifying predators. Some snakes like king cobras do rely on eyesight for navigation and hunting, but they are the minority. Boa constrictors don't have great "thermal vision" because they don't have any heat pits. The scales around the mouth do sense heat and direction and size but it isn't detailed. It is also impossible to say if a snake truly can't feel something similar to what we call love. They do not have the brain structures we associate with complex emotions, but could also be associated to the fact that they are reptiles. Reptiles reliably show us that we don't grasp how complex and smart they are.
I have to say hearing you say about how snake do or dont love. I can hear in you that you do them so really what im trying to say is screw the bad comments because Im personaly learning alot from you and I think its amazing how you have bonded with them. So thank you hun xx keep the videos coming.
Don't need gloves for Boa Constrictors....Over 95% of boas are as docile as Balls....especially babies. CBB boas are almost always tame so don't really see the purpose of this vid.....
If boas and ball pythons were as docile as people claim then no one would ever get bitten by them. It is rare, sure, but that does not mean bites from either of these species do not occur. Whether it be from being surprised, stressed, frightened, irritated, or another reason entirely, these animals DO get snappy at times. Gloves are primarily for the boost in confidence for the owner to be able to reach into the enclosure and retrieve the snake without any fear of getting bitten in the process. The gloves come off the moment the snake has been taken out of the environment where they are most likely to strike. No different than using a snake hook, which many breeders use regularly. Boas are known to be more aggressive while in their cage, but calm down instantly I'd say 98% of the time once removed.
IF you are an EXPERIENCED snake keeper/breeder and you are "bitten" by either species somewhere along the line you are doing something wrong....the hook to assure them it's not feeding time is fine...with the readily available DOCILE CBB babies available there is no reason to have an aggressive snake...that tells me the keeper is making or has made mistakes with the snake & I have much experience with many boids....Maybe I didn't word my first post properly.....this video might be useful to a very new unexperienced first time snake owner. Also what's important is being able to read a snake and also know where to grab and how to hold the animal....
ILuciferi I would say that a video titled "Taming Baby Boas" is definitely geared more towards new or inexperienced keepers who very likely do not know yet how to read their snake's body language, something that is learned over time. You've referenced docile captive born boas twice now, as if never before there have been boas born into this world that were not snappy and full of attitude. Or perhaps the original owner of a baby boa did not know what they were doing, assumed they just had a "mean" snake and re-homed it so it became someone else's problem. Now the new owner does have a snake that needs to be worked with so it no longer is fearful of humans or stressed by an improper living environment. There are many scenarios where a person is not dealing with a completely docile snake, and for those people I made a video to show an option for them that did not include a snake hook. While you may have had a pleasant experience with your snake(s) thus far, your case does not cancel out all others and make this information useless. Yes, there are keepers out there who have managed to have never been bitten, and good for them. Far more people have been bitten, and are looking to keep it from occurring again.
That Girl With Snakes I've referenced docile captive BRED and born boas because if someone responsible wants a boa constrictor that's what they should search for and acquire...starting with that and having at least some knowledge to start with should equal a tame docile healthy animal. I have been bitten in all the years of keeping these great animals...albeit that was with more difficult & on occasion cranky species such as Bloods,Burms and Retics...which by the way all have become tame as any Golden Retriever puppy....:) But have never handled a snake with gloves.....get the right baby,have knowledge, know how to read and handle the animal, feed only F/T,handle often, understand your animal,make them confident they are safe and secure and wearing gloves & putting a pillowcase in an enclosure will seem unnecessary.
ILuciferi I just a got a baby redtail and he wants nothing more then to bite me I love him still and working with him to get him comfortable getting him new hides and water bowl and a better light this Friday so they aren't always tame maybe I just have an odd one but my ball python in the year I've had him never struck and this redtail within 24 hrs already tried tagging me
Chris Butterworth they probably can. I have a corn snake and the kids wanted to watch her eat. But the noise they started making and just messing around and she would not eat her 2nd pinkie or fuzzie that was there for her to eat cuz of the loud noise, but til I brought her in my room to eat the rest, she was just fine and eat it without any problems.
At certain frequencies yeah they can but That doesn't mean they can hear. they can see movement and feel vibration of the noise. In a way it's hearing but not in the same way other animals can that have an outer ear and ear drum. Do you people know the anatomy of a snake ?
Just got my first bcl boa and I just gotta keep telling myself "don't be a bitch. Don't be a bitch" 😂 and just reach in and get him. It's worked thus far. 😋
Let me tell u I have kept ball pythons for a long time. I'm a new boa owner as of a month now. This particular video helped me so much. I have a girl that is hissing at every move I make at picking her up. This video has confirmed my beliefs as if I go to pick her up she will calm down. Ty so much!!! Awesome snakes and they are beautiful btw!!
Love the video. I have been wanting my own snake for a long time. Have considered a ball python until I got to meet and handle. Big red tailed boa at an expo and now I'm in love and cant wait to get a baby.
My boa is 11 years old and super-friendly. I always handled her a lot and touched her face, tickled her tail, etc (things they don't care for but get used to) and she has never tried to bite anyone, which is a calming thing to know at her size.
Snakes know comfort and discomfort. The order of magnitude that comfort vs discomfort plays in their simplified mind is on par with what we understand and intellectualize as "love" or "caring." So yes these animals do in a way come to love their owners. We bring them satisfaction and comfort.
I personally think they are capable of some type of emotion...My boa has a very sweet personality and very curious. She does recognize me, her handler, compared to when someone else tries to hold her....alot of times i hear that she is spoiled with me. i hold her at least 2 to 3 hours daily and love every second spent with her....she has yet to show an aggressive side other than when she eats and reaches for her food....other than that no aggression at all. Love my Boa!! you have a beautiful baby boa!!
Thank you, very much! I've had several boas. Mostly of the Columbian Imperator or the common boa constrictor and been able to handle without issues. However, recently I obtained a young Gayana female that is a bit grumpy to say the least. The gloves gave me the confidence I needed to get her out and begin trying to work with her. Thanks, again. Keep up the good work! I enjoy your videos.
Our baby female boa is always so anxious. And it doesn't get better when she is out of her enclosure. So I'm genuinely trying to make sure she doesn't become a defensive adult. I have a larger enclosure where she can climb and stretch. She has the warm and cool hides. She calmed down when we upgraded her enclosure
Emirī Uchiha if you feed it weekly maybe 4-5 days a week. If you feed it every two weeks 8-10. Just wait about two days until after it eats and make sure its not shedding. They get irritated when they are in shed.
Thank you for that great video I've a baby boa Costa Rica since a few days and have a problem to spread some trust. She strikes sometimes but is in generally a very nice one, but wasn't handelt before. Thank you for that video. I will try the technics for handeling, thanks
+godzilla932 I've taken my boas outside many times in the past and have never had them pick up mites. Now this does not mean there isn't a risk of getting them outside, but I'd say your chances are probably the same as stepping inside any pet store. I always give them a quick bath after being outside, just to get off any insects that may have hitched a ride or even pesticides that may have been sprayed in the grass. Also make sure it's warm enough for them outside, at least 70° minimum. A little outside time in the sunlight every now and then is likely good for them, in my opinion.
Hey, I have to say; GREMLIN IS GORGEOUS. I Am going to SEWERFEST on August 5th 2018 and I plan to get a hog island boa make (because they don’t go higher than 6 foot I believe) and I am in love. What morph is Gremlin?
I cried while watching this when you mentioned the person's comment about "you know your snakes don't love you". People feel reptiles are indifferent because they are less expressive and they are difficult to read but I think that boa constrictor loves you or at the very least, likes being around you. Look at how it interacts with you! :') I had a ball python and a corn snake and I definitely felt loved by them, I think sometimes humans just fail to read emotions if it's not by words.
Can you keep a pair together? You mentioned that they can be territorial but I'm not sure if it is like a tiger territorial or like them not wanting other things around? Idk just wondering if a pair can be kept together. Great video too.
Boas should be housed independently. Sometimes it may be subtle, but they typically will bully each other, or one bullies the other. They do this by denying access to hide boxes, laying on top of one another, and just generally being nuisances. The less subtle bullying is downright aggressive behavior, and in rare cases, cannibalism. Large females in particular have been known to eat smaller males that were placed into their enclosure for breeding. This has also happened when the smell of a mouse/rat is on one of the snakes after eating, and the other will attack them thinking they are food. Again, it's rare, but it has happened and is not worth the risk.
These are good starter snakes. Bites DO happen and more than half the time its not painful if its from a smaller specimen. Ive had red tails, balls, dumerils, corns, carpets and hognoses. Its always possible to get a snappy baby and once in a great great while you may get one that will never grow out of the defensive state. Its rare for this species but possible. That should be taken into consideration before buying one. Its a commitment.
Thanks a lot for this very interesting video. I love the way you handle the Boa, with a lot of love, joy and respect. I keep Achatina marginata , big african snails ( forbidden to keep in the U.S.). I also can see that they are relaxed, when I handle them. I love snakes also, and have plans to gonna keep them too. Python regius, and after seeing your video keeping Boa s seems a very good possibility also. I wish you lots of pleasure with all your animals.
I'm getting a baby boa when my breeder's female gives birth next month! I'm really looking forward to it. I've kept a beardie, turtles, a few colubrids, and an iguana before, but never a boa
I have not had issues. It just needs to be kept dry, because it can promote mold growth if it becomes wet and warm. Some complain about dust, but if you buy the right kind it can be practically dust-free.
+kid007inplay I've straight up booped my boas in their nose before if I felt they were slipping into that realm. Nothing like a poke to the face to snap you out of wanting to eat!
i held a red tail boa (probably a baby) at pet supplies plus. twice. pretty sure it was the same one both times. first time he tried to get in my hoodie. 12/10. the second he just kinda sat on my shoulder. a very gud noodle boi. he didn't really try to strangle my neck at all and i think he recognized me when i came back in my leather jacket. he was very well behaved. he also stared right into my phone camera.
if i cut a pice of my old pillo case and pit it in my snakes tank will that help my new snake that is 1 year old get use to my sent and asotieate it as safe
Just got a new girl about 7 months old. She is mad mostly all the time. I have had her about 2 days. Should I just let her get adjusted for a "insert time frame here" ?
+Andrew Gardner Give her some time to get adjusted to her new home. Leave her alone completely, aside from feeding. After 2-3 weeks you can start gradually handling her, and work your way up to handling her as often as you can to get her acclimated to you.
I have a question for you. When you handle one snake and move on to the next one can the latter one sense it and get jealous or show signs of aggression? Thanks for the video and the answer in advance.
Hey! I am looking for a Boa constictor as my next snake. Any tips? I would love a large snake, who I could handle as often as possible without getting stressed. Tips?
It is advised by many Boa specialists and professionals to handle as often as possible to lower confusion of feeding and defensive responses when you reach into the cage. Not only that, but also for socializing! These snakes need to be handled AT LEAST one time every few days (preferably more often). But not after a meal! Leave them alone for 2-4 days after a meal. (Depending on meal size. No, it will not affect them or their temperment.)
this is a great video :) im on about getting a boa, i own loads of ball pythons and milksnakes so im looking forward to a boa, there's something im still really confused about though.. do snakes actually carry anything? (salmonella etc.) i hear 50 50 that they do and dont. i would assume they would in the wild but not necessarily in captivity?
Salmonella is a concern, even with captive bred snakes. Basically, don't lick your snake, don't put it in your mouth, wash your hands after handling it, thoroughly wash any wounds inflicted by them to you, and you'll be fine. I've only personally known one person to get salmonella poisoning from her iguana, which was because it bit her and she did nothing afterwards and eventually she got sick. Your chances of being exposed to salmonella from restaurant food are much higher, honestly.
That Girl With Snakes Ah okay! that makes sense. I've never got ill from my snakes tbh, always wash hands before and after. I read it was only in their poo :S
Salmonella is only spread by snakes through their feces or their saliva if they eat chickens as poultry carries the virus and snakes don't unless they eat chickens !!!
As someone who now keeps both boa constrictors and ball pythons, I prefer... both. They both have their pros and cons. I love the compact size of the ball pythons, but I love the personalities and alertness of the boas. I love the stupid cute little faces of them both. Boas are excellent, almost aggressive feeders, and as adults this can be intimidating at times. Ball pythons can refuse meals for weeks, without reason or warning. Thankfully all of my ball pythons are good feeders, but I have dealt with one that went months without eating. Boas are easier to handle in the sense that they almost seem to want to be held, and they will readily climb all over you and eventually get comfortable around the back of your neck or entwined in your clothing, and will stay there indefinitely. Ball pythons are more likely to explore briefly then find somewhere secure and dark to relax, such as inside your shirt. Boas are more likely to strike (while still rarely) than ball pythons, but pythons are more twitchy and shy as opposed to the confident boas. Boas are more active and CAN AND WILL get into anything you leave unattended if outside their cage. Ball pythons are frequently called pet rocks, though my four are all quite active at night so long as they are not digesting. Both species suffer identical health issues with the exception of how IBD affects them. Ball pythons require little space and spend most of their time hiding in their boxes, while boas ideally would have giant enclosures with trees and waterfalls and personal chefs. I love both species, they are both awesome and they both annoy me at times. I hope that answers your question. :)
Thank You. Helped a lot! I just love how cute and chill ball pythons are and I had my heart out set for them, but i also want a snake that would crawl around a lot of be quite active when held, but also calm and gentle :)
OK sooo there is very little I don't know about snakes and I feel kinda idiotic about even wondering but I change my Cologne daily I do not like to smell the same twice in the same 3 week period the only thing I have more of than I have snakes is Cologne but each day when I take my 5 foot red tail out she is apprehensive but today it was much less apprehensive and straight to a defensive posture coils pulled back over the body mouth somewhat ajar and tongue going rampant now I have been bit by all of my snakes so I don't fear the bite it's like a pin price but the one major thing I did different was change my Cologne and I had her food in the tank at the time a thawed adult rat which was probably pretty foolish on my behalf but I have gotten in her cage with rats in there before so my ? Is would the Cologne provoke a defensive response or is she just getting me confused with the rat as it is quite large ?
Why is my baby boa trying to escape her cage, i just purchased her today and shes been doing it often. She did settle down in her hide for a few hours but now shes back at it again and im worried because shes falling, i read that she might be stressed as well
I was about to say that's a big yearling! I've got a nippy rainbow boa, he's not nearly as agreeable as your baby here. He'll posture at me and strike wildly at times. He's been a lot better lately, but he still postures. Just doesn't strike lately. I don't feel comfortable taking him out often because he has a delicate stomach and regurge issues from what the breeder tells me. I've kept the prey size small so he's been doing well. I don't use gloves because he simply is just too teeny tiny and I need the full use of my fingers. The longer I try to get him out the more irritated he gets. With him, the best thing is to find out where he's hiding and fish him out ASAP. As far as the wrinkles go, in my experience increasing the humidity solves it, even if you don't take them out. I don't take my big 6.5' boy out almost at all during the winter (got a really cold house) but he doesn't get any bent scales unless I let the humidity fall too low.
That is a good idea to keep his prey smaller if he is known to have a sensitive stomach. As a good rule of thumb keep their food only large enough to make the slightest of bulges in their side. Most care sheets will say you can handle your snake after 2 days from it eating, but in your case handling 3-4 days after a meal would be ideal, giving that extra time for the meal to digest. I'm sure you're aware of what to do in the event of a regurgitation. Rainbow Boas are not known to be aggressive, however they are more defensive as well as flighty. I personally did not much care for the species as I found them to be too much like colubrids, though that may have been because of the young age of the snake I briefly had in my care. Despite the striking you do want to be consistent with taking him out of his enclosure and enforce that he's not in danger and you mean no harm to him. Eventually it does click. But by allowing his striking to keep you from removing him from his enclosure you are only supporting his idea that it will work to keep you away. This is where my glove method can be very useful, because he can bite those gloves all he likes and it won't stop you from taking him out. After just a few times of using gloves to remove a young snake from its enclosure it stops acting that way and you can lose the gloves entirely. I agree with the humidity helping with wrinkles, but at the same time humidity has never been an issue for my snakes. The ones that stay more active don't get the bent scales or wrinkles, while the ones who stay curled up in one spot for days at a time get them. Now that summer is approaching the humidity levels will naturally rise, I'll have to keep an eye on the wrinkles and see if there is any improvement.
+That Girl With Snakes Both of my males are quite lazy, and slow moving. My girl is the only rainbow who is on the move! That said, after owning garter snakes even she pales in comparison to their activity level! She's also quite clumsy. Haha I have been handling him semi-regularly and he hasn't gotten defensive on me since! I'm starting to think it was just a phase. I've got two new boa constrictors coming in next week so we'll see how they fare. Heard the ghost girl gave the breeder a good hiss when I first started paying on her. Lol
That's great that he is getting better with handling and everything. I've had my share of garter snake experience because they are EVERYWHERE in this region. Good luck with the two new boas, and don't be deterred by hisses ;)
+That Girl With Snakes I'm actually kinda hoping she'll give me a few hisses. ;) I haven't had a hisser yet, all my snakes have been rather docile (aside from the Picasso BRB). I'm excited about these two, they'll be rounding out my breeding trio. Since the two females are yearlings hopefully one of them will be ready to go in about 5 years.
Hissing is always amusing, especially the smaller they are. I have just one ball python who, even after a year, still hisses and puffs up nearly every time I pick her up. She does nothing more, and perhaps just likes to hiss ;) I wish you luck with waiting, it can be grueling at times, but I hear it is quite worth it! Just make sure those females are big enough, there is never any need to rush things at the risk of their health.
Another method if you're worried about getting bitten, is to use a snake hook to first stroke the snake (letting it know it's handling time, not feeding time) then reach in with a bare hand positioning the hook to block if the snake is nippy. That's usually less clumsy than using thick gloves.
Hey, I'm interested in getting a boa, I was looking at the Brazilian rainbow boa but the humidity is kinda putting me off beautiful though they are. Does anyone know a simpler medium to small boa? Thanks!
You could be interested in a dwarf Boa, they don't get much bigger than the one you see in the video, they get a little bit bigger than that full grown but they're pretty medium.
ATXgaming Brazilian rainbow boas are cool only need to lightly spray them once when you get up and once before bed don't let the humidity aspect of snake keeping put you off great animal great pet but again BCI are brilliant but oviously get bigger, bigger the snake bigger the responsibility :)
+Mackenzie Olson No need to apologize! I have both Boaphiles Plastics cages (model 421D which is 4'x2'x11") and those are what I keep my boas in currently. I also have Animal Plastics cages (model T8 which is 4'x2'x1') that I keep my ball pythons in. Both types of cages are made of PVC plastic and I personally heat mine with flexwatt heat tape, which both sellers provide and can also install for you before shipping.
oh.. and not doing sudden movements... when they start to get Twitchy you handle them slower and they of course will calm down it's hard to explain but it's like being one with the snake LOL
I picked up a baby boa recently, i gave her 2 weeks but she's been a bit aggressive with me till I pick her up and handle her a bit, so this was a nice vid thanks :D Also do you know if your boa is BCC or BCI?
HELP my central american boa She's a baby and she is very food aggressive when I try and feed her she will bite the mouse and let it go but after she'll try and bite me and not take the mouse anymore like she is just trying to bite me help what do I do? please reply asap
Are you offering the food with your hand, or with tongs/hemostats? Your boa may be smelling the mouse on you as well if you handled the prey with your hand what-so-ever. Striking and not grabbing the prey is out of defense, and she may be intimidated or frightened. How are you offering the food, and what is her environment when you do? Day/night? Lights on/off? By hand/using tongs?
+That Girl With Snakes I use a tong but it might be just what you said about this because I touch the mouse before I feed it to him but I just want her to eat because she's small for her age but I feed her in the day on Sunday but she's perfectly fine when I put my hand in the cage and pick her up thanks for the reply 👍
Definitely try to not touch their food, their sense of smell is immensely stronger than ours and they CAN smell the prey on your skin. But that's great you can put your hand in and get her out without issue, keep up whatever you're doing :)
I'm looking into getting my first snake. I'm really interested in boas because I don't really want something that's gonna be small but not something too big like a retic. any advice? PS how did you know the snake wouldn't poop all over your bed?
Boa constrictors are considered to be an intermediate level of difficulty for people to keep. They are excellent feeders, rarely turning down a meal. They tolerate being handled better than most species, and are not typically aggressive without reason. Their size is manageable, averaging 6'-8' as adults with weights varying greatly, beginning around 20lbs at adulthood. They do not stop growing throughout their life, and grow rapidly their first five years, then slow down dramatically once reaching adulthood. From that age they will put on the bulk of their weight, but only gain maybe 1'-2' more in length. More common health concerns are obesity (as they will happily eat anytime), mouth rot (prone to getting bedding stuck in their gums which causes infection) and respiratory infections. Anticipating at least one health problem to arise in your snake's lifetime is reasonable, and a proper exotic animal vet visit runs about $200 just for the vet to look at your reptile, so be prepared. Boas do well in an enclosure that allows them to stretch the full length of their body out, and a 4'x2' cage is perfect for boas under 6' in length. Boas love to climb, but will rest in a hide box, so making sure they have something to climb and something to hide in is recommended. Their temperature requirements are not extreme. An air temperature in the high 70°'s to low 80°'s, and a hotspot they can curl up on of 92°-96° is ideal. Their humidity should always stay somewhere between 45% and 75%, higher if they are shedding. In my opinion, boa constrictors are an excellent snake to keep. As to how I knew Ivy would not poop on my bed, boas are great at holding their poops and in my experience they prefer the comfort of their own enclosure to defecate. I even have boas that will soak before having a bowel movement, so I know exactly when it is about to happen. It is easy to see when a bulge is nearing their vent just before their tail, and if I see it is getting close I'll probably not risk it. You can also typically time a poop in a healthy, routinely fed snake. Pythons, however, are notorious for pooping when being handled. I have been pooped on twice by the same ball python, and had a friend pooped on by him as well. I am beginning to suspect he saves it specifically for when he's being held...
+That Girl With Snakes thank you! I'm a fairly large guy (18 years old) and I was really thinking that a boa would be great since it can get large but not as big as a retic which I want later after lots of years of experience, but I do think maybe a boa would not be the best to start with :/ do you have any suggestions on a good starter snake that is good for beginners and decent in size (not something very small) most people suggest that I'd probably like a ball python because of the size but I'm jot sure if that's the snake for me. I'm just trying to find all my options of good sized snakes that also aren't too big for a first snake
Ball pythons and corn snakes are both popular beginner snakes, with hundreds of different morphs available for variety in appearance. However, I do want to also throw the idea out there that there are dwarf boas available as well. Speaking from experience, the Hog Island Boa is an amazing species, averaging 5' as an adult. They are slightly more active than their Colombian or Suriname cousins, easier to handle, and love to climb (especially on people). Their natural color is stunning, especially when it changes depending on time of day or temperature. My 7 year old male, who now lives with a breeder and is the proud parent to a huge litter of babies, was one of the best snakes I ever owned. He was just under 6' but remained much leaner than my other boas at the same length, only reaching about 16lbs. He was always wanting out to climb all over me or stretch out on the back of the couch to relax. They are more difficult to find than the more commonly kept boa species, but are not too expensive either, averaging $200 last I checked. You can also find offspring crossbred from a Colombian and a Hog Island, which look more like the Colombians, but stay smaller like the Hog Island. Any other questions, let me know! :)
What size is your enclosure? Length wise Also I never use gloves. I have ball python he bit me once when I first got him and honestly it didn't hurt much. I helped a friend with a rescue boa and it also bite but it was fine not much pain. I like them to be able to feel the warmth from my hand. Also do three birds in the same room stress out your snakes? No shade just an innocent curiosity. Edit: nice setup
I have always loved snakes and I just want to tell people that are afraid to handle t a baby bite feels like a little snake kiss, and if you handle them more they will lose that defensive fight response, before they can do any actual damage so you will be able to handle them and show your friends your adorable little boa or python. Personally I don't know about venomous animals but I do plan on getting one or two in the far future and I wouldn't use this technique on them for obvious reasons.
+4040chocolate Early on when I first got into boas I decided hook training just wasn't for me. I know there are plenty of people who hook train successfully, and I have nothing truly against it, it's just not what I prefer and not what I choose to teach others either.
and about the snakes cant feel love thing that is true but like all animals they can make a really strong bond with familiars my mom had a big Burmese named frankie and her boyfriend through him because he bit him out of fear and frankie went straight to my mom ive noticed that with my snake kenji when ever i let someone who hasnt seen him before or held him alot that when i let them hold him hes usually always trying to come back to me i find it really cute but its cool how snakes can bond with you like that
+Lucas Watters I wouldn't call them "mean". They can be defensive, because they are very small and everything else is very large. But they calm down quickly with handling.
As someone who has boas. Hold them everyday if possible with the exception of a few days after they eat. Gloves hold back actual bonding. A snake feeling your skin helps them get comfortable with you
I adopted a Ball python from owners who FORGOT they had him and left him in the basement for 9 months. When I got him he was really really skinny and super aggressive if you even came in the room he would freak out. After about a month of super feeding him trying to get him back up to a normal weight I started the bonding process which was hard considering he was an older abused python. First time I took him out he just bit right down on my arm and would not let go so I was like "well ok if you just to just keep biting my arm then you are also going to come watch TV with me". I did this process for a couple of days and he stopped biting me after about 4-5 days and now he is pretty calm and relaxed. Still have the scars though XD
Stfu no one cares
@@icegaming2862 your a bitch
Heck ya that's awesome
🤣🤣🤣🤣 you're coming with me I love it
@@icegaming2862 I care. Bitch.
I believe that when you have earned a snake's trust, that is the equivalent of "love" in the snake world. These creatures don't trust just anyone. I have some more esoteric thoughts about snakes and their propensity (or lack of...) to love, but I promise I won't subject anyone to these LMAO.
+Julie W I agree! I love my boa! shes like one of my kids
I love the fact that you have all types of animals. Not just one type. Snakes, birds, and cats. You’re awesome
9:05 Boa constrictors like many snakes have great eyesight, they don't do not rely on it for anything other than identifying predators. Some snakes like king cobras do rely on eyesight for navigation and hunting, but they are the minority. Boa constrictors don't have great "thermal vision" because they don't have any heat pits. The scales around the mouth do sense heat and direction and size but it isn't detailed.
It is also impossible to say if a snake truly can't feel something similar to what we call love. They do not have the brain structures we associate with complex emotions, but could also be associated to the fact that they are reptiles. Reptiles reliably show us that we don't grasp how complex and smart they are.
I have to say hearing you say about how snake do or dont love. I can hear in you that you do them so really what im trying to say is screw the bad comments because Im personaly learning alot from you and I think its amazing how you have bonded with them. So thank you hun xx keep the videos coming.
Don't need gloves for Boa Constrictors....Over 95% of boas are as docile as Balls....especially babies. CBB boas are almost always tame so don't really see the purpose of this vid.....
If boas and ball pythons were as docile as people claim then no one would ever get bitten by them. It is rare, sure, but that does not mean bites from either of these species do not occur. Whether it be from being surprised, stressed, frightened, irritated, or another reason entirely, these animals DO get snappy at times. Gloves are primarily for the boost in confidence for the owner to be able to reach into the enclosure and retrieve the snake without any fear of getting bitten in the process. The gloves come off the moment the snake has been taken out of the environment where they are most likely to strike. No different than using a snake hook, which many breeders use regularly. Boas are known to be more aggressive while in their cage, but calm down instantly I'd say 98% of the time once removed.
IF you are an EXPERIENCED snake keeper/breeder and you are "bitten" by either species somewhere along the line you are doing something wrong....the hook to assure them it's not feeding time is fine...with the readily available DOCILE CBB babies available there is no reason to have an aggressive snake...that tells me the keeper is making or has made mistakes with the snake & I have much experience with many boids....Maybe I didn't word my first post properly.....this video might be useful to a very new unexperienced first time snake owner. Also what's important is being able to read a snake and also know where to grab and how to hold the animal....
ILuciferi I would say that a video titled "Taming Baby Boas" is definitely geared more towards new or inexperienced keepers who very likely do not know yet how to read their snake's body language, something that is learned over time. You've referenced docile captive born boas twice now, as if never before there have been boas born into this world that were not snappy and full of attitude. Or perhaps the original owner of a baby boa did not know what they were doing, assumed they just had a "mean" snake and re-homed it so it became someone else's problem. Now the new owner does have a snake that needs to be worked with so it no longer is fearful of humans or stressed by an improper living environment. There are many scenarios where a person is not dealing with a completely docile snake, and for those people I made a video to show an option for them that did not include a snake hook. While you may have had a pleasant experience with your snake(s) thus far, your case does not cancel out all others and make this information useless. Yes, there are keepers out there who have managed to have never been bitten, and good for them. Far more people have been bitten, and are looking to keep it from occurring again.
That Girl With Snakes I've referenced docile captive BRED and born boas because if someone responsible wants a boa constrictor that's what they should search for and acquire...starting with that and having at least some knowledge to start with should equal a tame docile healthy animal. I have been bitten in all the years of keeping these great animals...albeit that was with more difficult & on occasion cranky species such as Bloods,Burms and Retics...which by the way all have become tame as any Golden Retriever puppy....:) But have never handled a snake with gloves.....get the right baby,have knowledge, know how to read and handle the animal, feed only F/T,handle often, understand your animal,make them confident they are safe and secure and wearing gloves & putting a pillowcase in an enclosure will seem unnecessary.
ILuciferi I just a got a baby redtail and he wants nothing more then to bite me I love him still and working with him to get him comfortable getting him new hides and water bowl and a better light this Friday so they aren't always tame maybe I just have an odd one but my ball python in the year I've had him never struck and this redtail within 24 hrs already tried tagging me
Just wanted to say thank you! Your channel is one of the reasons I decided on getting a boa and now that I have my baby girl, I couldn't be happier.
+Daniela Quesada I'm glad to hear it! If you ever have any questions concerning your new boa, feel free to contact me :)
thank you! I will :) her first feeding with me will be on Thursday, so we'll see how it goes
ok so if their biggest fear is birds then y put him in a room with birds that tweet all day
snakes can't hear
Chris Butterworth they probably can. I have a corn snake and the kids wanted to watch her eat. But the noise they started making and just messing around and she would not eat her 2nd pinkie or fuzzie that was there for her to eat cuz of the loud noise, but til I brought her in my room to eat the rest, she was just fine and eat it without any problems.
At certain frequencies yeah they can but That doesn't mean they can hear. they can see movement and feel vibration of the noise. In a way it's hearing but not in the same way other animals can that have an outer ear and ear drum. Do you people know the anatomy of a snake ?
BKG Thrillz to funny dude I like your thinking. its like having your biggest fear be cellmates with you.
Chris Butterworth I do ^_^ but I agree with you why are you here if you don't know your snakes?
Just got my first bcl boa and I just gotta keep telling myself "don't be a bitch. Don't be a bitch" 😂 and just reach in and get him. It's worked thus far. 😋
BaileeGermanotta 😂😂
🤣🤣🤣💀
hows it going now? I've got an 8 month BCI and he's an angel.
I've taken a couple bites but overall he's such a cutie good guy.
How’s the experience now? I’m thinking about getting one today!
Let me tell u I have kept ball pythons for a long time. I'm a new boa owner as of a month now. This particular video helped me so much. I have a girl that is hissing at every move I make at picking her up. This video has confirmed my beliefs as if I go to pick her up she will calm down. Ty so much!!! Awesome snakes and they are beautiful btw!!
Love the video. I have been wanting my own snake for a long time. Have considered a ball python until I got to meet and handle. Big red tailed boa at an expo and now I'm in love and cant wait to get a baby.
My boa is 11 years old and super-friendly. I always handled her a lot and touched her face, tickled her tail, etc (things they don't care for but get used to) and she has never tried to bite anyone, which is a calming thing to know at her size.
Snakes know comfort and discomfort. The order of magnitude that comfort vs discomfort plays in their simplified mind is on par with what we understand and intellectualize as "love" or "caring." So yes these animals do in a way come to love their owners. We bring them satisfaction and comfort.
very cool video. great advise. vey honest and real! keep em coming!
Even if they “can’t love”, they do definitely pick favorites. I think my water dragon loves me tho lol.
That good I got basilk lizard sometimes he let u handle him or anther day will try to bite they not as tame as waterdragons thoug
Beautiful snake!
Great video of your relaxed energy! Thank you!
Snakes may not love you but they trust you and feel calm around you and for me that’s good enough
but then it would get used getting handled by the glove and what if u like handling them without gloves ?
I personally think they are capable of some type of emotion...My boa has a very sweet personality and very curious. She does recognize me, her handler, compared to when someone else tries to hold her....alot of times i hear that she is spoiled with me. i hold her at least 2 to 3 hours daily and love every second spent with her....she has yet to show an aggressive side other than when she eats and reaches for her food....other than that no aggression at all. Love my Boa!! you have a beautiful baby boa!!
Thank you, very much! I've had several boas. Mostly of the Columbian Imperator or the common boa constrictor and been able to handle without issues. However, recently I obtained a young Gayana female that is a bit grumpy to say the least. The gloves gave me the confidence I needed to get her out and begin trying to work with her. Thanks, again. Keep up the good work! I enjoy your videos.
Our baby female boa is always so anxious. And it doesn't get better when she is out of her enclosure. So I'm genuinely trying to make sure she doesn't become a defensive adult. I have a larger enclosure where she can climb and stretch. She has the warm and cool hides. She calmed down when we upgraded her enclosure
Where did you get your front open enclosures the one that you have your boa in
How often can you handle a snake? I mean, per week or month.
Emirī Uchiha if you feed it weekly maybe 4-5 days a week. If you feed it every two weeks 8-10. Just wait about two days until after it eats and make sure its not shedding. They get irritated when they are in shed.
Where did you get their pens? I Plan to get two babies soon and would like to have a nice pen for them.
It's not even aggresive
ian flannigan
They are only aggressive if they feel threatened. As long as you're calm and show respect to them they'll do the same to you.
@@gottaridejiminbeforeyoupar4080 see I tell my mum this all the time!!
Depend if they big or not they could be aggressive
@@reptilebabes9960 moms be like that my dude. mine hates snakes. so if i ever wanted to have one i'd have to be well on my own lol
Thank you for that great video
I've a baby boa Costa Rica since a few days and have a problem to spread some trust. She strikes sometimes but is in generally a very nice one, but wasn't handelt before. Thank you for that video. I will try the technics for handeling, thanks
I really enjoyed your video, I agree w your view on how love and knowing thing. About to get my first boa and he/she is young so I loved this video.
That is a beautiful Boa! I really like your set up as well. I'm about to purchase a baby boa myself when I get more space in my house.
hey there could you tell me what do you think about taking a boa outside in the yard. Is there a chance of it getting mites ?
+godzilla932 I've taken my boas outside many times in the past and have never had them pick up mites. Now this does not mean there isn't a risk of getting them outside, but I'd say your chances are probably the same as stepping inside any pet store. I always give them a quick bath after being outside, just to get off any insects that may have hitched a ride or even pesticides that may have been sprayed in the grass. Also make sure it's warm enough for them outside, at least 70° minimum. A little outside time in the sunlight every now and then is likely good for them, in my opinion.
Your boas are so cute thank you for making this video
Where did you get the cages?
Hey, I have to say; GREMLIN IS GORGEOUS. I Am going to SEWERFEST on August 5th 2018 and I plan to get a hog island boa make (because they don’t go higher than 6 foot I believe) and I am in love. What morph is Gremlin?
I cried while watching this when you mentioned the person's comment about "you know your snakes don't love you". People feel reptiles are indifferent because they are less expressive and they are difficult to read but I think that boa constrictor loves you or at the very least, likes being around you. Look at how it interacts with you! :') I had a ball python and a corn snake and I definitely felt loved by them, I think sometimes humans just fail to read emotions if it's not by words.
Can you keep a pair together? You mentioned that they can be territorial but I'm not sure if it is like a tiger territorial or like them not wanting other things around? Idk just wondering if a pair can be kept together. Great video too.
Boas should be housed independently. Sometimes it may be subtle, but they typically will bully each other, or one bullies the other. They do this by denying access to hide boxes, laying on top of one another, and just generally being nuisances. The less subtle bullying is downright aggressive behavior, and in rare cases, cannibalism. Large females in particular have been known to eat smaller males that were placed into their enclosure for breeding. This has also happened when the smell of a mouse/rat is on one of the snakes after eating, and the other will attack them thinking they are food. Again, it's rare, but it has happened and is not worth the risk.
How long before you can be comfortable enough to have your boa around your neck, without worrying about getting bit on the face?
Is that a yearling sunset boa! Kinda looks like one.
These are good starter snakes. Bites DO happen and more than half the time its not painful if its from a smaller specimen. Ive had red tails, balls, dumerils, corns, carpets and hognoses. Its always possible to get a snappy baby and once in a great great while you may get one that will never grow out of the defensive state. Its rare for this species but possible. That should be taken into consideration before buying one. Its a commitment.
great video good information on baby boa
Thanks a lot for this very interesting video. I love the way you handle the Boa, with a lot of love, joy and respect. I keep Achatina marginata , big african snails ( forbidden to keep in the U.S.). I also can see that they are relaxed, when I handle them. I love snakes also, and have plans to gonna keep them too. Python regius, and after seeing your video keeping Boa s seems a very good possibility also. I wish you lots of pleasure with all your animals.
Were do you get your snakes?
I'm getting a baby boa when my breeder's female gives birth next month! I'm really looking forward to it. I've kept a beardie, turtles, a few colubrids, and an iguana before, but never a boa
+Daniela Quesada Congrats! They're quite the species, you'll love the little guy I'm sure :)
Thanks! I'm really excited. I like their temperament better, colubrids can be a little hyper haha
I've read and been told never to keep boas on aspen. Have you had any problems with it?
I have not had issues. It just needs to be kept dry, because it can promote mold growth if it becomes wet and warm. Some complain about dust, but if you buy the right kind it can be practically dust-free.
where would I get them vivariums from ??
When is a baby boa an adult ? As in age wise?
Nice informative video. I hook train all my boas by slightly tapping on their head to cut off their feeding response.
+kid007inplay I've straight up booped my boas in their nose before if I felt they were slipping into that realm. Nothing like a poke to the face to snap you out of wanting to eat!
What is that snake cage called? I see a lot of people using that and it seems like something I should get when I get a snake
it's probably Animal Plastics. really popular professional cages.
Boaphiles.
what cage is that?
i held a red tail boa (probably a baby) at pet supplies plus. twice. pretty sure it was the same one both times. first time he tried to get in my hoodie. 12/10. the second he just kinda sat on my shoulder. a very gud noodle boi. he didn't really try to strangle my neck at all and i think he recognized me when i came back in my leather jacket. he was very well behaved. he also stared right into my phone camera.
if i cut a pice of my old pillo case and pit it in my snakes tank will that help my new snake that is 1 year old get use to my sent and asotieate it as safe
yeah I always do that, I find it helps so much
how big is he
How do u heat the enclosure
my cat loves me for sure. she never leaves my side
Just got a new girl about 7 months old. She is mad mostly all the time. I have had her about 2 days. Should I just let her get adjusted for a "insert time frame here" ?
Yeah a week at least
+Andrew Gardner Give her some time to get adjusted to her new home. Leave her alone completely, aside from feeding. After 2-3 weeks you can start gradually handling her, and work your way up to handling her as often as you can to get her acclimated to you.
I have a question for you. When you handle one snake and move on to the next one can the latter one sense it and get jealous or show signs of aggression? Thanks for the video and the answer in advance.
grabbing by the head probably doesnt help. gloves or not
how old is this one? i just rescueid my red tail and he is about 3 ft
this going to seem stupid but where can u buy tanks like that for your snakes
Jeremy Allen look up Boaphile.
Hey! I am looking for a Boa constictor as my next snake. Any tips? I would love a large snake, who I could handle as often as possible without getting stressed. Tips?
It is advised by many Boa specialists and professionals to handle as often as possible to lower confusion of feeding and defensive responses when you reach into the cage. Not only that, but also for socializing! These snakes need to be handled AT LEAST one time every few days (preferably more often). But not after a meal! Leave them alone for 2-4 days after a meal. (Depending on meal size. No, it will not affect them or their temperment.)
so the description says handle them weekly , would it be better if i handled them daily ?
john cena nope! if you feed your snake and then handle it, it will throw up. Handle them about 4-5 times a week if you feed them weekly.
Can a boa be considered a beginner snake? I really want one I also did a lot of research!
Daishawn Maingot if you did your research you'd know the answer.
I love your snake’s eyes I just think they’re so beautiful 😍
My boa everytime I hold her she just tries to steadily get away any tips???
this is a great video :) im on about getting a boa, i own loads of ball pythons and milksnakes so im looking forward to a boa, there's something im still really confused about though.. do snakes actually carry anything? (salmonella etc.) i hear 50 50 that they do and dont. i would assume they would in the wild but not necessarily in captivity?
Salmonella is a concern, even with captive bred snakes. Basically, don't lick your snake, don't put it in your mouth, wash your hands after handling it, thoroughly wash any wounds inflicted by them to you, and you'll be fine. I've only personally known one person to get salmonella poisoning from her iguana, which was because it bit her and she did nothing afterwards and eventually she got sick. Your chances of being exposed to salmonella from restaurant food are much higher, honestly.
That Girl With Snakes Ah okay! that makes sense. I've never got ill from my snakes tbh, always wash hands before and after. I read it was only in their poo :S
Salmonella is only spread by snakes through their feces or their saliva if they eat chickens as poultry carries the virus and snakes don't unless they eat chickens !!!
if someone was wondering on either a boa or a python, what would you suggest and what would your arguments be? :)
As someone who now keeps both boa constrictors and ball pythons, I prefer... both. They both have their pros and cons. I love the compact size of the ball pythons, but I love the personalities and alertness of the boas. I love the stupid cute little faces of them both. Boas are excellent, almost aggressive feeders, and as adults this can be intimidating at times. Ball pythons can refuse meals for weeks, without reason or warning. Thankfully all of my ball pythons are good feeders, but I have dealt with one that went months without eating. Boas are easier to handle in the sense that they almost seem to want to be held, and they will readily climb all over you and eventually get comfortable around the back of your neck or entwined in your clothing, and will stay there indefinitely. Ball pythons are more likely to explore briefly then find somewhere secure and dark to relax, such as inside your shirt. Boas are more likely to strike (while still rarely) than ball pythons, but pythons are more twitchy and shy as opposed to the confident boas. Boas are more active and CAN AND WILL get into anything you leave unattended if outside their cage. Ball pythons are frequently called pet rocks, though my four are all quite active at night so long as they are not digesting. Both species suffer identical health issues with the exception of how IBD affects them. Ball pythons require little space and spend most of their time hiding in their boxes, while boas ideally would have giant enclosures with trees and waterfalls and personal chefs. I love both species, they are both awesome and they both annoy me at times. I hope that answers your question. :)
Thank You. Helped a lot! I just love how cute and chill ball pythons are and I had my heart out set for them, but i also want a snake that would crawl around a lot of be quite active when held, but also calm and gentle :)
If you can't find cow hide gloves can I use leather
What do you think cow hide is?
How long can I handle my Boa? Can I handle it for 1 hour if a want to?
Hey where you buy your cages?
OK sooo there is very little I don't know about snakes and I feel kinda idiotic about even wondering but I change my Cologne daily I do not like to smell the same twice in the same 3 week period the only thing I have more of than I have snakes is Cologne but each day when I take my 5 foot red tail out she is apprehensive but today it was much less apprehensive and straight to a defensive posture coils pulled back over the body mouth somewhat ajar and tongue going rampant now I have been bit by all of my snakes so I don't fear the bite it's like a pin price but the one major thing I did different was change my Cologne and I had her food in the tank at the time a thawed adult rat which was probably pretty foolish on my behalf but I have gotten in her cage with rats in there before so my ? Is would the Cologne provoke a defensive response or is she just getting me confused with the rat as it is quite large ?
do you make your own cages. also can you do a review on the boa cage
Why is my baby boa trying to escape her cage, i just purchased her today and shes been doing it often. She did settle down in her hide for a few hours but now shes back at it again and im worried because shes falling, i read that she might be stressed as well
I thinks that's normal when introduced to a new environment. just give it a while
I was about to say that's a big yearling!
I've got a nippy rainbow boa, he's not nearly as agreeable as your baby here. He'll posture at me and strike wildly at times. He's been a lot better lately, but he still postures. Just doesn't strike lately. I don't feel comfortable taking him out often because he has a delicate stomach and regurge issues from what the breeder tells me. I've kept the prey size small so he's been doing well.
I don't use gloves because he simply is just too teeny tiny and I need the full use of my fingers. The longer I try to get him out the more irritated he gets. With him, the best thing is to find out where he's hiding and fish him out ASAP.
As far as the wrinkles go, in my experience increasing the humidity solves it, even if you don't take them out. I don't take my big 6.5' boy out almost at all during the winter (got a really cold house) but he doesn't get any bent scales unless I let the humidity fall too low.
That is a good idea to keep his prey smaller if he is known to have a sensitive stomach. As a good rule of thumb keep their food only large enough to make the slightest of bulges in their side. Most care sheets will say you can handle your snake after 2 days from it eating, but in your case handling 3-4 days after a meal would be ideal, giving that extra time for the meal to digest. I'm sure you're aware of what to do in the event of a regurgitation.
Rainbow Boas are not known to be aggressive, however they are more defensive as well as flighty. I personally did not much care for the species as I found them to be too much like colubrids, though that may have been because of the young age of the snake I briefly had in my care. Despite the striking you do want to be consistent with taking him out of his enclosure and enforce that he's not in danger and you mean no harm to him. Eventually it does click. But by allowing his striking to keep you from removing him from his enclosure you are only supporting his idea that it will work to keep you away. This is where my glove method can be very useful, because he can bite those gloves all he likes and it won't stop you from taking him out. After just a few times of using gloves to remove a young snake from its enclosure it stops acting that way and you can lose the gloves entirely.
I agree with the humidity helping with wrinkles, but at the same time humidity has never been an issue for my snakes. The ones that stay more active don't get the bent scales or wrinkles, while the ones who stay curled up in one spot for days at a time get them. Now that summer is approaching the humidity levels will naturally rise, I'll have to keep an eye on the wrinkles and see if there is any improvement.
+That Girl With Snakes Both of my males are quite lazy, and slow moving. My girl is the only rainbow who is on the move! That said, after owning garter snakes even she pales in comparison to their activity level! She's also quite clumsy. Haha
I have been handling him semi-regularly and he hasn't gotten defensive on me since! I'm starting to think it was just a phase. I've got two new boa constrictors coming in next week so we'll see how they fare. Heard the ghost girl gave the breeder a good hiss when I first started paying on her. Lol
That's great that he is getting better with handling and everything. I've had my share of garter snake experience because they are EVERYWHERE in this region. Good luck with the two new boas, and don't be deterred by hisses ;)
+That Girl With Snakes I'm actually kinda hoping she'll give me a few hisses. ;) I haven't had a hisser yet, all my snakes have been rather docile (aside from the Picasso BRB).
I'm excited about these two, they'll be rounding out my breeding trio. Since the two females are yearlings hopefully one of them will be ready to go in about 5 years.
Hissing is always amusing, especially the smaller they are. I have just one ball python who, even after a year, still hisses and puffs up nearly every time I pick her up. She does nothing more, and perhaps just likes to hiss ;)
I wish you luck with waiting, it can be grueling at times, but I hear it is quite worth it! Just make sure those females are big enough, there is never any need to rush things at the risk of their health.
Another method if you're worried about getting bitten, is to use a snake hook to first stroke the snake (letting it know it's handling time, not feeding time) then reach in with a bare hand positioning the hook to block if the snake is nippy. That's usually less clumsy than using thick gloves.
How's that boa doing?
Hey, I'm interested in getting a boa, I was looking at the Brazilian rainbow boa but the humidity is kinda putting me off beautiful though they are. Does anyone know a simpler medium to small boa? Thanks!
You could be interested in a dwarf Boa, they don't get much bigger than the one you see in the video, they get a little bit bigger than that full grown but they're pretty medium.
ATXgaming Brazilian rainbow boas are cool only need to lightly spray them once when you get up and once before bed don't let the humidity aspect of snake keeping put you off great animal great pet but again BCI are brilliant but oviously get bigger, bigger the snake bigger the responsibility :)
ATXgaming get a woma boa
ATXgaming mabye a central american boa?
I'm 13 am I am going to get a male columbian red tail soon. where do you get your cages? what heating do you use to heat them? Is it heat tape? Sorry.
+Mackenzie Olson No need to apologize! I have both Boaphiles Plastics cages (model 421D which is 4'x2'x11") and those are what I keep my boas in currently. I also have Animal Plastics cages (model T8 which is 4'x2'x1') that I keep my ball pythons in. Both types of cages are made of PVC plastic and I personally heat mine with flexwatt heat tape, which both sellers provide and can also install for you before shipping.
+That Girl With Snakes Thanks! 😊
+That Girl With Snakes doesn't boaphile have size or types of flexwat heat tape? if so what size?
Yes you can order it in 1', 1.5', or 2' strips.
Sorry to to probably make you annoyed, but I meant what do you use.
Is you’re snake have orange on him or is it just the sun?
What did the bite from a baby Boa and an adult Boa actually feel like
oh.. and not doing sudden movements... when they start to get Twitchy you handle them slower and they of course will calm down it's hard to explain but it's like being one with the snake LOL
I picked up a baby boa recently, i gave her 2 weeks but she's been a bit aggressive with me till I pick her up and handle her a bit, so this was a nice vid thanks :D Also do you know if your boa is BCC or BCI?
Update please! I love boas! ♡
ive had my baby redtail for a week now. i dont wear gloves at all, i reach in and pick her up. shes very very calm.
Thanks I have the 421d from Boaphile
Animals can definitely feel love just depends on the animal
HELP my central american boa She's a baby and she is very food aggressive when I try and feed her she will bite the mouse and let it go but after she'll try and bite me and not take the mouse anymore like she is just trying to bite me help what do I do? please reply asap
Are you offering the food with your hand, or with tongs/hemostats? Your boa may be smelling the mouse on you as well if you handled the prey with your hand what-so-ever. Striking and not grabbing the prey is out of defense, and she may be intimidated or frightened. How are you offering the food, and what is her environment when you do? Day/night? Lights on/off? By hand/using tongs?
+That Girl With Snakes I use a tong but it might be just what you said about this because I touch the mouse before I feed it to him but I just want her to eat because she's small for her age but I feed her in the day on Sunday but she's perfectly fine when I put my hand in the cage and pick her up thanks for the reply 👍
Definitely try to not touch their food, their sense of smell is immensely stronger than ours and they CAN smell the prey on your skin. But that's great you can put your hand in and get her out without issue, keep up whatever you're doing :)
+That Girl With Snakes Thanks I wont try and touch the mouse and great video by the way 👍👍
I'm looking into getting my first snake. I'm really interested in boas because I don't really want something that's gonna be small but not something too big like a retic. any advice? PS how did you know the snake wouldn't poop all over your bed?
Boa constrictors are considered to be an intermediate level of difficulty for people to keep. They are excellent feeders, rarely turning down a meal. They tolerate being handled better than most species, and are not typically aggressive without reason. Their size is manageable, averaging 6'-8' as adults with weights varying greatly, beginning around 20lbs at adulthood. They do not stop growing throughout their life, and grow rapidly their first five years, then slow down dramatically once reaching adulthood. From that age they will put on the bulk of their weight, but only gain maybe 1'-2' more in length. More common health concerns are obesity (as they will happily eat anytime), mouth rot (prone to getting bedding stuck in their gums which causes infection) and respiratory infections. Anticipating at least one health problem to arise in your snake's lifetime is reasonable, and a proper exotic animal vet visit runs about $200 just for the vet to look at your reptile, so be prepared. Boas do well in an enclosure that allows them to stretch the full length of their body out, and a 4'x2' cage is perfect for boas under 6' in length. Boas love to climb, but will rest in a hide box, so making sure they have something to climb and something to hide in is recommended. Their temperature requirements are not extreme. An air temperature in the high 70°'s to low 80°'s, and a hotspot they can curl up on of 92°-96° is ideal. Their humidity should always stay somewhere between 45% and 75%, higher if they are shedding. In my opinion, boa constrictors are an excellent snake to keep.
As to how I knew Ivy would not poop on my bed, boas are great at holding their poops and in my experience they prefer the comfort of their own enclosure to defecate. I even have boas that will soak before having a bowel movement, so I know exactly when it is about to happen. It is easy to see when a bulge is nearing their vent just before their tail, and if I see it is getting close I'll probably not risk it. You can also typically time a poop in a healthy, routinely fed snake. Pythons, however, are notorious for pooping when being handled. I have been pooped on twice by the same ball python, and had a friend pooped on by him as well. I am beginning to suspect he saves it specifically for when he's being held...
+That Girl With Snakes thank you! I'm a fairly large guy (18 years old) and I was really thinking that a boa would be great since it can get large but not as big as a retic which I want later after lots of years of experience, but I do think maybe a boa would not be the best to start with :/ do you have any suggestions on a good starter snake that is good for beginners and decent in size (not something very small) most people suggest that I'd probably like a ball python because of the size but I'm jot sure if that's the snake for me. I'm just trying to find all my options of good sized snakes that also aren't too big for a first snake
Ball pythons and corn snakes are both popular beginner snakes, with hundreds of different morphs available for variety in appearance. However, I do want to also throw the idea out there that there are dwarf boas available as well. Speaking from experience, the Hog Island Boa is an amazing species, averaging 5' as an adult. They are slightly more active than their Colombian or Suriname cousins, easier to handle, and love to climb (especially on people). Their natural color is stunning, especially when it changes depending on time of day or temperature. My 7 year old male, who now lives with a breeder and is the proud parent to a huge litter of babies, was one of the best snakes I ever owned. He was just under 6' but remained much leaner than my other boas at the same length, only reaching about 16lbs. He was always wanting out to climb all over me or stretch out on the back of the couch to relax. They are more difficult to find than the more commonly kept boa species, but are not too expensive either, averaging $200 last I checked. You can also find offspring crossbred from a Colombian and a Hog Island, which look more like the Colombians, but stay smaller like the Hog Island. Any other questions, let me know! :)
my mom is thinking about getting me a boa from a good breeder as a baby, I love your vids
What size is your enclosure? Length wise
Also I never use gloves. I have ball python he bit me once when I first got him and honestly it didn't hurt much. I helped a friend with a rescue boa and it also bite but it was fine not much pain. I like them to be able to feel the warmth from my hand.
Also do three birds in the same room stress out your snakes? No shade just an innocent curiosity.
Edit: nice setup
man snakes are too funny
Her: “doesn’t want to scare him”
Also her: “ grabs for his head”
🤦♂️🤦♂️
He’s beautiful! :))
I have always loved snakes and I just want to tell people that are afraid to handle t a baby bite feels like a little snake kiss, and if you handle them more they will lose that defensive fight response, before they can do any actual damage so you will be able to handle them and show your friends your adorable little boa or python. Personally I don't know about venomous animals but I do plan on getting one or two in the far future and I wouldn't use this technique on them for obvious reasons.
Try a hook if you can't reach them in their enclosure, and ditch the gloves. Also consider keeping their food (the birds) in another place?
you telling your birds to stop yelling is my life
What about using a Snake Hook to reach in and to use the hook as part of training :)
+4040chocolate Early on when I first got into boas I decided hook training just wasn't for me. I know there are plenty of people who hook train successfully, and I have nothing truly against it, it's just not what I prefer and not what I choose to teach others either.
fair enough I enjoy your videos
my parakeet sunny isnt a talkative bird but when im trying to video chat or whatever she decides to scream and tweet haha
and about the snakes cant feel love thing that is true but like all animals they can make a really strong bond with familiars my mom had a big Burmese named frankie and her boyfriend through him because he bit him out of fear and frankie went straight to my mom ive noticed that with my snake kenji when ever i let someone who hasnt seen him before or held him alot that when i let them hold him hes usually always trying to come back to me i find it really cute but its cool how snakes can bond with you like that
I have my first boa, she's prob about 7-8 months and she's super sweet and calm, never had a problem with her being aggressive or defensive toward me
are baby boa s normally mean
+Lucas Watters I wouldn't call them "mean". They can be defensive, because they are very small and everything else is very large. But they calm down quickly with handling.
Can you do a vid of how the lights on the cage is installed
+sherwinmalcolm Yes I can try to do a video on that. I use specific LED bars that may not be available for everyone, though.