Hnadling

[rico]

My red tailed boa seems to panic when it hasnt got something to wrap around....so when i pick it up it swings round looking for something to grab onto...even when she is on a surface like my lap etc she takes a while to calm down.

Also today (shes due to shed soon...all grey etc) she was trying to get onto the back of the sofa...so i moved her and she went to bite my face^^. She has never done this before but i put it down to being a little irritable due to slough.

What id like to know is is there is anything i can do to stop her panicking when im handling her...she does seem a little nervous lately and i dont know why.

Also sometimes when my boas breath they sometimes make a whistling noise. The temperature is fine and the humidity isnt too high so i strongly doubt its respiritory infection. I wondered if anyone had any advice for me..again ;D

[rico]

sorry for my several is's and bad spelling of handling...im not with it today

[Shrimply]

For the handling just keep handling her and she should eventually get used to it. Be gentle and give her the support she is looking for. She should soon settle down.

Really I wouldn't handle at all when in shed snakes get grouchy I know my little baby hissed at me the other day when I was in his viv during shedding. So my advice is just to leave them alone my baby is an angel so calm and has never tried to strike at me but I definatly got a shock when he started hissing at me,lol Snakes are over sensative at this time and this could explain her pancking.

I have never heard mine whistle and it might be normal. I wouldn't worry about it the chances are if there is anything it it just a small piece of shed in their nostrils.

[John Pilling]

I agree with shrimply, handle 3-5 times a week and it'll soon calm down and start enjoying it. A good tip for boa's is to let thr top 1/4 of their bodies roam rensobley freeley as their nosey and inquisative. This make them feel like they have some freedom whilst remaining secure with a coil around your arm.

As to handleing during a shed i try not to handle any of mine whilst in shed, just change the water and have a look to see how far they are into the shed, that goes for all min (corns, boa's and garter).

As to the whistleing, i've heard 1 of my corns whistle, but it went after the next shed, and my bigest boa dave has whistled whilst actually in shed, so just keep an eye on it but i don't honestley think its anything to worry about.

[rico]

Just want to say that you guys/gals are great...thanks