My boa bit me?

Question

its 5 ft and i wanna hold it really bad but dont want to get bit again ive owned for 1.5 months and it hasnt bit me before and its about feeding time and also it ate a live rat for the first time and it just got done shedding any ideas?

Answer 1

Ugh boas are so dangerous - you never know when they'll turn on you.

I saw on the news once, this guy was holding his boa and it strangled him.

I would trade that boa in for a feather boa =P

Answer 2

I'm not positive... but you might not be affected by the bite because boas are constrictors...they squeeze. I personally wouldn't touch it if it bites.

Answer 3

You own a snake, its going to happen sometimes whether you like it or not.

It may still be a bit sensitive after shedding, angry at being disturbed if it was still digesting the rat, or just having a bad day.

Also some advice, switch to frozen thawed or prekilled, a rodent is capable of severly injuring a snake, especially when its a rat. Best to be on the safe side, the animal still has to 'hunt' for frozen rats anyway because you'll be moving it around with feeding tongs.

Answer 4

don't worry about it - just be confident when you next hold it, it could have bit for many reasons

1. if you just started feeding it live prey they can be a bit aggressive

2. u could have picked it up wrong (or on a cut/bruise caused by the prey as defence)

3. if it is shedding, its skin may be irritated and therefore it was annoyed by your touch

there are probably more reasons, but i cant think of them now - but you have to hold it again soon otherwise you will have to hand rear it all over again

Answer 5

I learned from a cousin that raised snakes that if you have the smell of the animal you fed your snake on your hands, they sometimes bite.  Try washing your hands thoroughly after handling his dinner and maybe wait a while after feeding to handle the snake.

Good luck!

Answer 6

hmm

it could have salmonella!

and it was probally in distress!

Answer 7

ive got 13 snakes (all boas) , so i get bit every once in a while. i know exactly wat youre talking about. to make myself feel better i wore leather gloves for a while (until i wasnt a candy *** anymore) and sleeves. handle it enough and he'll get used to you. and make sure that you feed him in a different cage than he lives in.

Answer 8

maybe you startled it. be careful with those snakes. if you are bleeding go and have your self checked out if the wound is huge