Animal Stories - People Talking About Snakes



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Latest Animal Stories on Snakes (385)

Marie - 2010-03-10
I just got a red tail and she is extremly aggressive. i'm not sure what to do....

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Bailey - 2010-03-12
Red tails are very tame snakes, my husband and I have been raising snakes for the past 8 years. If your snake is showing aggression you can either take her back and see if they will trade the snake for another one or just start handling her all the time to tame her down. Once you build a bond with the snake and show no fear of her you can really enjoy her. I hope every thing works out for you and your snake, they are very cool to have as a pet.
Brian - 2010-03-27
Here's a few things to take into consideration:

She may be aggressive if she's getting ready to shed. Check for an opaque or bluish tint to her eyes. If they look cloudy, she's probably getting ready for a shed, and it's best to just leave her alone as she will be aggressive due to the fact that her vision is impaired.

If she's a baby then they may be a bit nippy at first...with more handling they will gentle down.

Finally, if she has mites or other parasites she will be aggressive. There are plenty of topical medicines available that help take care of that.

If all else fails, take her to an exotic animal vet and see if there's something else going on. It may just be her personality.
crystal and charles - 2010-04-07
When you have an aggressive snake it is best to handle it as much as possible so it can get use to you and being handled.
Brandi - 2010-04-24
I have some suggestions for you... Feel free to email me at gabby_darebelrjt@yahoo.com hope to hear from you soon! Brandi
Josue Manon - 2010-05-05
Try to hold the snake and dedicate a lot a lot of time so she can get used to you. Also don't feed the snake in the same cage where she sleeps because when you wanna grab her, the snake will think you are gonna feed her. They are great animals. Tattooxtreeme.
mike - 2010-05-09
If it is a baby WC (wild caught) imported they usually are they cannot determine if you are going to eat them or friend. If baby, wear latex rubber gloves if she does bite, they release they can't stand taste of latex. If that does not work do NOT pull! That could dislodge her teeth and kill her. I use a spatula or alcohol(whiskey) if you use wood(methyl) or isopropyl(rubbing) you can cause her to go blind and die. And do not go from the top of her, because things that want to eat her always come from above. Go from below her and she will get used to you by handling her 3-5 times a week for a lot of years, she will become a great addition to your family. I hope this helps you. If you want email me with comments or questions, I have been doing reptile rescue for over 20 yrs. and there is always something to learn from these majestic creatures! mike- michael6000@att.net
Tina - 2010-05-27
Hi marie. i have got two a pair the male is my aggressive one. The only way I got him to calm down was to feed him wait a day then I would take him out and handle him as much as poss. The more you handle them and the more you feed will calm her down. Oh and don't feed her in the cage. Take her out feed her and then put her back. If you only get her out to feed every time you go to get her out she will think it's feeding time and will strike.
katie - 2010-06-26
I just saw your post now and if you have solved this problem yet but I got a female red tail boa that was not tame at all and all I did was handle her everyday for about 2 weeks and now she is as tame as ever before every move she would strike but she is much better now, my bf can now hold her and I can take her outside with me and she is fine all I can suggest is handle her as much as you can but if you are scared of getting bit maybe you should find someone who wouldn't mind it is she does strike at them I hope this helps if you have not yet solved her aggression problem.
michael - 2010-07-10
The reason why he is so aggressive is because they probably never got carried. You have to carry him a couple times a day so he could get used to you but it might take some time and don't show that you're scared when you go to hold him/her. He/she is getting used to the new home and it's going to take some time.

I have a 42inch columbia red tail boa and I had the same problem when I first got him.
Tony - 2010-07-15
Hey marie! I have a few questions to ask you about your boa so that I can help you understand the better nature of its actions! If you would like to speak with me you can E mail me at cenatwin2010@yahoo.com
I would like to help you, so get in touch.
THANKS
Tony
Jimmy - 2010-07-18
Get a hold of her cover her head, lay her on top of you and just stroke her from neck to tail a number of times to tame her and get her used to hands touching her. I just recently got 3 boas and a 3.5 ft Columbian bit me and struck at me a few times. I worked with him more than my 5 other snakes and now he is a sweet heart. Never wants to leave my neck. Just happy that he leaves me breathing room. :)
Kristen - 2010-11-12
If she is being aggressive, make sure you are not hand feeding her or she may think your hands are food and don't just take her out to eat otherwise every time the cage opens, that is what she will think it's time for and will strike. While young red tails like to eat frequently and a lot. Try feeding rats of proper size instead of mice and maybe feeding every 5 days instead of the normal 7. Always wash your hands before handling also. If you smell like food to her, then you are and she will strike. Also, never feed her in her tank or they can become very aggressive thinking it's feeding time always! With my old baby, she would eat whenever you would feed her even if it was only 3 days apart and she would eat more than one mouse a feeding.
Mandy - 2010-11-18
Dear marie I too have a red tail who was aggressive I got her when she was a year old....Mine simply wanted more food I feed her 2 times a week opposed to once a week and took more time with her and gained the trust...most of the time we get these snakes whom have been abused and it takes trust.
derek - 2011-02-04
Trade for one that doesn't.

adam - 2011-01-18
What do red tail boas do in winter time? My boa looks dead but it's been days and it don't smell her eyes changed to blue.

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Jenna - 2011-01-26
Your boa is probably shedding. Her eyes are blue or "opaque" and she's not moving because when they are shedding the "opaque" eyes make them basically blind. If she should have started shedding by now since this post is kind of old. But I figured I'd let you know anyway.
lee - 2011-02-01
More than likely your snake is about to shed make sure that the temperature is right and that it has a water container to be able to soak in.

spencer - 2009-12-02
I love snakes they are my favorite animal but, my mom won't let me get one.

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Darlene - 2011-02-01
I love snakes too. I have one and she is so adorable!

Redwitch - 2009-06-03
I've had my albino cornsnake for about 12 years. His name is Cayenne (his?). I was raised in a family that included lots of animals. Snakes were just apart of our menagerie... This included 2 king snakes, gopher snakes, alligator, blue belly lizards, garter snakes...etc. At least a dozen of reptiles alone. I acquired Cayenne on the last day of a closing pet store, that I just happened to enter... not wanting to give my money to a big box store. There was hardly anything left in the place but 3 terrariums. Cayenne was one. I felt for these animals and wondered about their fate. I had 40 dollars in my pocket...the lady gave me the whole set up. I had 2 young boys at home, I kind of wanted to raise them the same way. So my kids are gone, the snake is still here... he's been a great pet... but isn't he growing old? How long will he live... if he is getting old (like me!) I want to know how I can best care for him as a senior snake.

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brad - 2011-01-26
About 20 years is the average 4 a corn. Couple more or less.

bruce - 2011-01-23
Cool snake I have one and she's great even with the kids her name is little miss and she's 3 feet long now.

chrissy - 2010-01-14
Hello, my name is Chrissy and I myself own a 6ft RTB. His name is Alice (after Alice Cooper,named before I owned him). I would like to share with everyone Alice's and my story. I have owned Alice for 2 1/2yrs Back in April he was attacked by a rat (his food) very badly. The rat ate 6 quarter sized holes in his body about 1/4 inch deep. I took him to the vet immediatly, while the doctor tended to his wounds and told me he would heal in time we returned home. Alice became very sick about a week later. He would barely move, and became very weak so we returned back to the vet. The vet pushed for him to be put down. As I sat there in the room holding him crying I said to him " I love you please dont leave me, you need to fight" with that being said he began to move his head from my lap up to my neck. I knew then that we were going to fight and I then refused to give up, because in my heart and what he showed it wasnt time to say goobye. I began mixing vitamins up to put in a syringe and force him to eat 4 times a day. I would soak him in the bathtub pick his scabs clean and put ointment on his wounds 2 times a day. We did this for 3 months everyday. There were many times I thought he wouldnt make it and came very close to loosing him. I would fall asleep holding him and when I awoke he would be right there either under the blankets with me or laying on my chest. Never once in all this medical attention did he ever show any signs of aggressiveness but I knew he was in pain. I would give him a little childrens tylonal before the baths to help ease the pain while I cleaned his wounds. Then the day came and he began to get stronger and show approvement. It was amazing! I then knew there was hope and let nature now take its course! Alice stopped eating for 8 months after that attack that really worried me that he would starve to death. Today he is eatting like a pig lol i guess to make up for the 8 months he went without. He is a very healthy, lovable, beautiful, boy. I have taken him back to his vet and they are amazed at how he has recovered. Him and me have a very close loving relationship and built a unbreakable bond. Our friends and family call him a spoiled mama's boy, but to be honest I wouldnt have it any other way!

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Nicole Templeton - 2010-02-23
Chrissy,
I am purchasing two rtb's for my two oldest children this weekend. Both have wanted a snake for quite some time and everything has finally come together to make it possible. The man we are purchasing them from is quite the expert on snakes and one of the first things he told us was to always feed frozen rats never live ones. My children did not really understand why (they didn't really care about feeding frozen vs live but were just curious as to the why). I plan on reading your story to them to help them understand the why. We are just learning about snakes and rely on stories like yours to guide us in our exciting adventure we are undertaking. We (the human members) are overjoyed to be adding Isis and Sekhmet to our happy family. Thank you for sharing your experience and I'm so glad to hear that Alice is doing well.
Patrick - 2010-03-29
Hi, my boa suffered from the same nasty attack and I'm still under the treating process. I have a few questions, did the wounds heal completely? ( like is it traceless?) Also, how is his temperament? Did it change? Please email me: patrickvincentcocabo@yahoo.com Thanks! If you have before and after pictures, that would be great! =)
jim - 2010-06-08
Why on earth did you feed live? Never feed live - I have seen so many people lose their snakes that way - glad you're all doing better - I hope others learn from this- Jim 845 598 0585
Russ - 2010-06-16
Crissy, I just read yours and alice's story. Very touching and glad he is doing great now, I started to tear up reading that he almost died. Again I am glad that he is ok and hope you two have many years together.
Destiney - 2010-07-17
Your story is very touching and I feel the same way you do! Snakes have been an all time favorite of mine I owned my first boa when I was 6 and loved him. I now own 9 and am 19 years old. I believe every animal in this world deserves the same love from humans just as much as dog cat etc. And after I read your story I don't feel alone at what I think. I wish you and alice the best in life and health!
jackie - 2010-07-19
I think that is the most amazing story. I love animals, and at ths point I'm waitin for my friend to pick me up to go get a baby girl boa who I fell in love with. I send loads of love to alice and to you.
Anonymous - 2010-10-22
Red tail boas are cool.
Patrick Dugan - 2010-12-17
Don't feed live animals to captive boas....I inherited a 6 foot boa that was bit twice by a rat.....he is healthy now and we only feed him frozen (thawed) rats and he eats them without hesitation....also live mice and rats can spread mites and other pestilence to your expensive snake.
Trevor - 2011-01-10
Here's a good example why you shouldn't feed rtb live food, and if you do, do not leave the rodent with the snake without supervision.
brandon - 2011-01-21
That's wassup I started not to read your story but I'm glad I did my snake falls to sleep with me too and wakes up wrapped around my ARM so I can relate.

Mike Browning - 2006-11-23
Hey, I really like the info on your ted tailed boa. I run a
REPTILE RESCUE, and i have rescued two rtb's that people have just abandoned. I have had them for about two years now. They were very, very, very aggresive when i first got them. Unfortunatly my female got sick and there was nothing that i could do for her but have her put down. It broke my heart. But my male is now very gentle and is doing great. But i have recently bought a true pastel colombian boa. I am very pleased with her. She is my baby.
Thanks for all the great info on RTB'S. Keep it coming.

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eric portillo - 2011-01-11
I have a granite albino burmese I just got her only about 3 ft very docile and sweet you can have her if you want wasn't sure what I got myself into until I did some research and I hear they get pretty big not sure I can handle that.

trey - 2010-01-25
I just got a red tail boa about 4 days ago. She is a very nice snake has never showed any agression so far. She is about 8 months. Im not quite sure if she is big for 8 months she is 3 1/2 feet long. Her name is Athena. If anyone knows if she is big or small for her age could you please email me at treydj1395@yahoo.com

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Anonymous - 2010-03-09
I have a female when i got her at 7 to 8 months she is only about 28 inches and in the past 3 weeks grew about 3 or 4 more if yours is 3.5ft at 8 months she is little bit on the bigger side. But a lot of factor are involved in the size. Alot of it deals with how much they were fed. Mine is growing so fast, faster than any other boa or python i have even owned i am started to believe that the breeder or store owner under fed the snake. So people or books tell you to feed in 1 or 2 a week unless your feeding it small amounts of food thats to much. I feed mine 1 adult mouse every 1.5 weeks
brandon - 2010-04-08
She's about half a foot bigger than a normal 8 month redtail boa.
kevin - 2010-06-13
She is way to big for that age.
Anonymous - 2010-07-25
I think that is a decent size for a red tail boa at that age.
Kristen Goheen - 2010-11-12
Honestly, with snakes, age is not looked at as much as size. That is about normal but how you feed and what really determines the size. Rats are more filling than mice and tend to go further so many breeders feed rats to help their snake grow very quickly and feed frequently. When it comes to breeding also, it is about size (specifically weight) and not so much age. There could be a five year old snake that wasn't fed a lot and although it is easily old enough, it won't be big enough. Make sense?
ryan - 2011-01-09
I wish I could help I have an 8 month old and she's 5 ft I think she's over sized but idk all I know is I'm breeding her to a sunglow in 1 yr wish me luck.

Laurie - 2011-01-02
I have a question, my husband andIi have Recently been given a 6 year old RTB. We have been feeding her jumbo rats every two weeks. But it does not seem like they are enough, should we start feeding her rabbits? And if so what size?

Jay - 2010-12-31
I know for breeding ball pythons the recommended age is 2-3 years and a recommended weight of 1500g. What is it for these boas?

I have an almost 3 year old colombian boa that is 800g (a little small due to some feeding issues).

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