Scared of Prism

[ILoveReptiles]

Well, last night was it - I have to admit now that I'm genuinely afraid of my Rainbow Boa, Prism.

He's gotten SO aggressive!!! Last night I was trying to pet him and all he did was keep swinging around trying to bite me. I can tell he senses my fear. It's not a good sign.

I don't know what I can do to change this - but I'm going to attempt picking him up more often and forcing myself to conquer the nervous feeling I get when approaching him. I know he can probably pick up on the smell of it..

Ugh. Wish me luck...

[Pawsitive Thinking]

doesn't sound good - time to let go perhaps?

[Fur&Feathers]

Well, good luck. That's really unfortunate. I wouldn't get rid of him though, just because of one obstacle. That'd be like wanting to get rid of Methos, my dog, every time he chews something up. My friend went through this with his iguana. One day the iguana started hissing, thrashing and biting, every time he'd stick his hand in there. It's odd, because days prior to this, the iguana was so friendly and would sit in your lap contently. Well, he worked with the iguana for a couple of months, taking it very, very slowly. The iguana returned to it's normal self, eventually and is very sweet again. Good luck! Keep us updated.

[ILoveReptiles]

I don't have any intentions of getting rid of him, but it's something I have got to overcome for sure. I just hope I can get over the nervousness when I get near him. I'm sure it'll all work out eventually - even if I get bitten a few times in the process...

[Queen of Poop]

Rainbow boas can be that way. We have one and she scares the crap out of my husband sometimes, other times she is great to handle. Go slowly and don't make alot of quick movements. Is there something in his environment that could be making him mad? Hungry, not warm/cool enough, too dry?

[ILoveReptiles]

Yeah, I have a really hard time keeping the humidity up - I need to fix my misting system - it broke on me. I've been misting him by hand with a squirt bottle...

And I think he's getting hungry too.. I'll feed him tonight, and let you know how it goes.

Thanks!

[buttercup132]

after you feed him let it pass or maybe feed him double id wait a day then start petting him and wat not, my corn snake is really bad latley too i dont spray his tank though they said he dont need it your so lucky you get to own a huge snake mines kinda big about 5 feet but i want a big fat boa, but i dont wanna feed it rabbits...can you feed them chickens?

[BitsyNaceyDog]

One of our Colombian Red-tailed Boas gets like that. Justin handles her, but I won't. He has snake hooks and big thick leather gloves in case he needs them. I don't think he's ever used the gloves, but he has used the hooks.

Good luck

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Originally posted by buttercup132
i want a big fat boa, but i dont wanna feed it rabbits...can you feed them chickens?

We feed our boas rats. Rabbits aren't necessary.

[IRescue452]

Sounds like he has an injury or medical probem. Do you know the methods of detaching a snake thats latched its teeth onto you? I've heard several but I'd have to say that keeping a bucket of warm water nearby to pour on him is the most humane I've heard.