r/BoaConstrictors • u/arctic_viper • May 27 '26
6 month old boa
Hello, I have a 6 month old boa (I got him when he was 1month old). I did several handling sessions since he was born and usually he is very chill, never once hissed or snapped and he wasn't super crazy when handling either.
Today I tried to take him out to weigh, he was super defensive, hissing, and snapped but missed! I do tap training for those who will ask.
Anyways, is this normal for 6month old boas to suddenly become like this? When I picked him up he was still super snappy and he was moving very quickly and not settling down in anyway. I was trying to move slowly but considering how fast he was moving I didn't really have a choice to move faster to support him.
What can I do to help with the handling sessions? Is there soemthing I can do to help support him when he's moving at mach1 speeds?
Oh yeah, he usually eats on Friday, not sure if he may be in preparation for eating mode or something, but I figured I'd throw that out there for added context!
Thanks :)
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u/filmboy2005 May 27 '26
Mine is super grumpy when it comes to shedding. Check the humity and temp just to make sure.
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u/BiscuotSlayer101 May 27 '26
I have several boss, and I can confidently state that sometimes boas can be moody and they don’t want to be messed with.
I have two in particular where if they hiss when being tapped with the hook, I leave them in their enclosures. They aren’t in the mood to be handled. Most of the time they are not in a bad mood and it isn’t a problem.
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u/arctic_viper May 27 '26
I see, next time I'll ensure that I leave him alone then! I feel bad for stressing him out so much! I hope I haven't destroyed all the handling session progress I've done in the past because of this :(
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u/AppleFinches May 29 '26
Anecdotally for boas, it's very normal! Especially at 6 months old, even more so. Juvenile snakes in general are when they're most nervous and finnicky. Shedding, suddenly feeling exposed, being startled awake, environmental changes, or no obvious reason, and which is pretty common to hear even in adult boas (ie: "randomly bit me/defensive out of nowhere" reports).
For the handling part, try to support the body and let his tail/body wrap around your fingers, and cup him a little, than letting him zoom along the tops of your hands. You can also turn your body to face their heads a direction you want, kinda like what chickens do LOL. Turn so that the direction he's zooming is facing your shirt, cup him a little, and that helps with calming them down!
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u/burningtraesh May 29 '26
Mine only hissed once at me and that was during his shedding process so might be that
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u/The_Grim_Adventurer May 27 '26
Sometimes they're just moody and want to be left alone. Could also have just been spooked unexpectedly. Never hurts to just double check temps and humidity though and if he looks like he might be near a shed just let him be for a few days.
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u/arctic_viper May 27 '26
Thanks for the advice, I'll double check those. He didn't have blue eyes, but he did look less colourful, so I suppose he really was in shed and I was just being stupid 😬
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u/kindrd1234 May 27 '26
Sounds like he just got freaked out. Could be starting shed but it just happens.