We're more than just a website...
Reptile Forums - HC Network
   ... we're a community.


Everything Above Disappears When You log In Or Register!

Reptile Forums - Registration Is Free
Registration is free - Sign Up Now

Caresheets    Articles    Reviews    Books Reptile Books - Literature  

Traveling Boa

This is what our member has to say: I travel frequently with my Boa and could use some tips. I know the trips stress her out but I do not feel comfortable leaving ...


»   Reptile Forums - The HC Network > Reptile Forums > Snakes > Boas > Common/Red Tail Boa
  »

Traveling Boa



This thread is currently here for archival purposes only. As a result of this thread being inactive for over 90 days, it is no longer accepting posts.
Please start a new thread if you seek additional information regarding this topic.


 
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1  
08-24-2007, 06:40 PM
shutcheson33's Avatar
shutcheson33
Junior Member
Offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: AL
Posts: 7
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Images: 1
Traveling Boa

I travel frequently with my Boa and could use some tips. I know the trips stress her out but I do not feel comfortable leaving her at home for weeks at a time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

  #2  
08-24-2007, 08:29 PM
kenman1963's Avatar
kenman1963
Super Moderator
Offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Posts: 4,890
Thanks: 0
Thanked 29 Times in 29 Posts
Images: 1
Re: Traveling Boa

Traveling can stress your boa, however they can go quite some time with you gone. A large bowl of water and a good feed prior to you leaving and she'll be fine when you return. However it would be best if you could get someone to change the water while you are gone.
__________________
Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

  #3  
08-24-2007, 08:30 PM
kenman1963's Avatar
kenman1963
Super Moderator
Offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Posts: 4,890
Thanks: 0
Thanked 29 Times in 29 Posts
Images: 1
Re: Traveling Boa

BTW,,,,,,welcome to HC. What type of boa is it ? a common or redtail ?
and pics would be awesome (I'm a boa nut myself and have 4 at the moment)
__________________
Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

  #4  
08-24-2007, 08:40 PM
Merlin's Avatar
Merlin
Administrator
Offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Oklahoma City, Ok.
Posts: 11,152
Thanks: 6
Thanked 159 Times in 156 Posts
Re: Traveling Boa

Welcome to HerpCenter!
As Ken stated the best option is to have everything set up and for someone to look in on it.
What do you do for housing while you and the snake are on these trips?
__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

  #5  
08-25-2007, 05:51 AM
BlackJack's Avatar
BlackJack
Moderator
Offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 2,651
Thanks: 0
Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts
Re: Traveling Boa

Welcome to HerpCenter!
I assume you are travelling by car, because I imagine the airlines would have issues ???
Don't you have problems crossing state borders with a boa? (Again I'm not sure what the laws are, but I would think that things like that would stress ME more than my snake!)
Why don't you feel comfortable leaving her behind? Is it that you don't have anyone to look in on her?
I can understand the problems of finding someone to care for a boa in your absence, but as Ken pointed out, if you feed it beforehand, have plenty of water available and have the heating and lighting hooked up to a thermostat & timer, you can leave the snake for weeks. (Just be sure that she can't get out of the cage!) If you travel a lot than a reliable set up like this can really save you a lot of stress.
I'd also like to know what Merlin asked: Where do you keep the snakes on your trips? Do you take the whole tank and heating elements, etc. with you?
__________________
Andrea

  #6  
08-25-2007, 10:52 PM
shutcheson33's Avatar
shutcheson33
Junior Member
Offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: AL
Posts: 7
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Images: 1
Re: Traveling Boa

First thanks for the welcomes, great page.
Well I dont leave her because, as i'm sure you all know, finding someone you trust in your home who is NOT afriad of snakes can be difficult. As for the setup, not much more than a large clear sweater box with under tank heat.Her normal enclosure is just to big to move around. Also there are times i'm away for five or six weeks and for an animal with a questionable disposition thats a long time to go without being handled(SHE'S MEAN!!).
I dont think there are any laws prohibiting but I will check on that.
She is a red tail just over a year old

  #7  
 I helped move the meter!   08-25-2007, 11:09 PM
nicole's Avatar
nicole
home of the unwanted
Offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Washington
Posts: 1,837
Blog Entries: 6
Thanks: 7
Thanked 24 Times in 24 Posts
Images: 101
Re: Traveling Boa

Lol,, I have a few that are mean too!

And on another note,welcome to HC!

  #8  
08-26-2007, 11:46 AM
Merlin's Avatar
Merlin
Administrator
Offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Oklahoma City, Ok.
Posts: 11,152
Thanks: 6
Thanked 159 Times in 156 Posts
Re: Traveling Boa

It's also possible that the aggression is a side effect of the constant shuffling around. Snakes need to settle into a set routine in a particular spot to be comfortable. The constant changing of location may be upsetting it.
Has the traveling been this way throughout your history with the snake?
__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

  #9  
08-26-2007, 12:47 PM
shutcheson33's Avatar
shutcheson33
Junior Member
Offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: AL
Posts: 7
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Images: 1
Re: Traveling Boa

The travel is a new thing for the snake. She bit me out of the box, guess she likes the taste of my hand! Getting better though.

  #10  
08-26-2007, 03:53 PM
BlackJack's Avatar
BlackJack
Moderator
Offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 2,651
Thanks: 0
Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts
Re: Traveling Boa

I tend to always imagine worst-case scenarios in various situations. How well are you insured if your mean boa bites someone while you're travelling? It may not be likely to happen, but your boa is more likely to meet strangers than any of my snakes.
Just thinking if she busts out of her box in a motel room... It doesn't take much to find grounds for a lawsuit. Think maid- heart-attack...I wouldn't risk it.
I can understand your wanting to keep her used to handling, but as Merlin said, moving her house around might actually be causing more agression than leaving her alone for several weeks.
Are there any herp societies in your area where you could connect with some reliable snake people to arrange snake-sitting? Someone experienced in boas might also be able to handle her when you're away.
Good luck with your situation. She's a really beautiful boa, by the way!
__________________
Andrea

 


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Savannah's Traveling Reptile Show! ajvw Herp Photos 40 07-29-2006 06:28 PM

Thread Tools



Herp Center Topsites
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:41 PM.


Direct Navigation
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260

Reptile Forums - The HC Network - CH - Staff - Archive - Top