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Phillip1963   Fairy Frog Mother   Phillip1963  
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 #2069948


Phillip1963
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 Defensive boa

hey i have a new suriname red tail and he is very defensive when i try to take him out. He often strikes at my hand. does anyone know what the best way to get him to calm down would be? thanks
09/09/09  05:10pm

 #2070306


Fairy Frog Mother
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   Message To: Phillip1963   In reference to Message Id: 2069948


 Defensive boa

Get yourself a pair of leather gloves to protect from getting punctured, as defensive snakes will bite. I know. My male is really defensive too. The female- sweet as pie. I trust her (supervised, always!) with my friends 10 year old daughter holding her. Shes sweet and curious. He is curious too...but very defensive.

Handle it a few times a week, but not in the 48 hours after feeding. You can also try putting a tee shirt that smells like you in their enclosure. (In other words, not a clean one, one youve worn and worked in so it has your scent strongly on it) Theory is that if they smell you as a natural part of their environment, they wont stress out as much when you try to handle them. Make sure it has enough places to hide in its enclosure. One hide on the hot end, one on the cold, so it can thermo-regulate. My hides are half logs and fake plants that I can take out and spray down with disinfectant, then rinse thoroughly before replacing them in the tank.

It’ll take time, and some stay naturally defensive. Usually, with more frequent and gentle handling, they calm down quite a bit.
Ive got a small clutch of corns I just hatched out ( first time caring for eggs YIPPIE...so CUUUTE) and they are all nippy. One tried to latch onto my finger...so feisty! teeth couldnt even get past my skin and didnt hurt at all. Ha!



09/10/09  01:55pm

 #2070463


Phillip1963
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   Message To: Fairy Frog Mother   In reference to Message Id: 2070306


 Defensive boa

Ok thanks! I think im gonna try the t shirt idea. thanks for the tips.
09/10/09  07:16pm


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