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 #2080138


Garry Anderson
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 Help...handling problems

I have had my 2yrs old common boa (female) since march this year and having some problems while handling her. she is very very timid and holds on to me very tight. i cant sit her down out the viv or she wraps her self round my arm in a panic not wanting to let go. if im sitting with her she wont even slither of and explore, sometimes she has a stong hold on both my hands and im finding it difficult to do any thing with her. my royals love being on the bed and following the creases on the duvet but if i sit her on the bed she thrashes about and heads straight back to me.
she was in a shop before i bought her in a very small tub on a shelf, probably for over a year, which wouldnt have helped. i dont mind how she is just now and could never sell her on, she is mine for life now but i am worried about when she is a 8ft adult. will she get better with age? can i try anything to help? any tips would be great as i wont be able to manage when fully grown. she is a much loved pet and i handle her quite a lot. i have tried handling her every night for a hour or so, iv tried giving her space and handle her twice a week but she no better.
10/04/09  09:56am

 #2080164


Fairy Frog Mother
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   Message To: Garry Anderson   In reference to Message Id: 2080138


 Help...handling problems

Keep doing what you are doing. Handling her several times a week except after feeding.
Hopefully with time she will come to trust and realize that neither you nor anyone else is going to harm her.

Having been in such a small enclosure for so long she has been in a "safe hide" all of her life before coming to you. She is used to the security of her body being able to touch the sides of her enclosure, and it sounds like that is what she is used to.

You can try having several hides on a table for her to go into when shes not on your arm ( if you can get her off to begin with) or a large branch ( a cut piece of limb that normally is in her enclosure for her to climb on would work) so that she winds around that instead of you when shes out.

Good luck!
10/04/09  11:37am

 #2080189


Garry Anderson
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   Message To: Fairy Frog Mother   In reference to Message Id: 2080164


 Help...handling problems

that sounds about right, if i bring her bark-log out of her viv she will go for it, lol that lets me clean her viv as she is happy there. hopefully she will get better thru time .
10/04/09  12:45pm

 #2080369


Jeff K
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   Message To: Garry Anderson   In reference to Message Id: 2080189


 Help...handling problems

Yes, i would definetely say go for more hides. She needs to be secure, and not stressed. Good luck.

jeff



10/04/09  10:34pm


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