![]() Use a snake hook to initially grab and lift the snake, then use your hands to take out the rest of its body. Once the snake shows calm, slow tongue flicks, it is safe to pick it up. This lets the snake know that it’s time for handling - not food - and prevents potential accidents caused by a misunderstanding. Once your hands are clean and smell like chemicals, use a paper towel roll or snake hook to gently tap your boa on the head. I like to rub hand sanitizer on my hands as well to make sure I’m labeled by a consistent scent that is very different from food. If you are particularly smelly/have been spending a lot of time around other animals, it is also advisable to change clothes. ![]() This gets weird scents off, and removes potentially harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites from your hands. How to handle a boa constrictorīefore you get your boa out of its enclosure, wash hands with soap and water. ![]() Wait at least 1 week before you first start to handle the snake, or if it is hiding and defensive, wait until it is eating regularly before you attempt to start handling. Photo contributed by John Bazyk When you first bring your boa home… This is for the safety of the snake as well as the child. If handleability is important to you, buy captive bred (CB or CBB) and ask the breeder about the snake’s disposition, as well as its parents’ dispositions.Īs with dogs, cats, horses, birds, and other pets, never leave a child unattended with your pet boa. Snake personality is pretty much luck of the draw. ![]() If it doesn’t mind frequent handling and is tolerant of being shuffled around, it may make a great educational animal. If, despite your best efforts, it prefers to be left alone, then let it be a beautiful display animal. Respect the fact that the snake is an individual, and treat it according to its wishes. Some boas seem to genuinely appreciate handling, and others don’t care for it. And some, just as with cats and dogs, are safer than others. “My 3 year old son is more cause for concern!”īoa constrictors and larger snakes are active, intelligent animals with individual personalities that must be respected.“They are only dangerous if you intimidate them, abuse or neglect them, or don’t handle them.“I am more afraid of getting injured by a dog than the largest of boas.”.“About as dangerous as your average paperweight.”.“It’s a lot like a large ball python that knows how to eat.”.Here are some quotes from actual boa constrictor keepers on the subject: Regular boa constrictor handling, when done correctly, can also be a beneficial source of exercise and enrichment for your pet.ĭue to the fact that some boa species are capable of growing up to 10-11’ long, as well as the fearsome reputation created by media fearmongering, many people worry that boa constrictors are dangerous pets. Whether you prefer to keep it as a display animal, companion, or educational animal, getting it used to handling makes chores such as taking it to the vet and cleaning its enclosure a lot easier. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.Handling is an essential part of owning a pet snake. Our snakes are no exception! To see them in action, pop over to their habitat in Rainforest Revealed on your next visit.īrevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. With so many species at the Zoo – all requiring different diets, enrichment, habitat space and more – our animal care team often get creative to give our animal residents the best possible care. The timeframe depends on how the snake is doing – if they haven’t defecated in a while or are having trouble shedding, they may stay longer in the rain chamber. Snakes sitting on the chamber’s perching can be rained on for 10, 20, 30 minutes or even more without someone having to mist them – and without oversaturating their regular habitat. A dehydrated snake can have issues defecating or shedding their skin, and over long periods of time can develop kidney issues or other internal problems. The chamber is primarily used by our emerald tree boas as they tend to need more hydration than other species. Water is pumped through the pipes which have holes drilled throughout, causing it to rain over the snake inside. ![]() This rain chamber is essentially a plastic container with a PVC pipe system attached to the lid and a PVC perch perfect for a thirsty snake. Our animal care team sometimes puts snakes in this rain chamber to give them a longer soak. ![]()
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