iHerp Answers: my male boa(Diablo) gets agressive after he eats why is that?

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my male boa(Diablo) gets agressive after he eats why is that?

Posted By:

MrCoyote

In Relation To:

Diablo

My male Boa (Diablo) gets agressive after he eats, just wondering why that is. This has never happened before so why now? Just curious.


Points:	50
Topics:	General Health , Feeding
Tags:	Aggression, Behavior, Feeding
Species:	Boas > Large Boas > Boa constrictor imperator
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Accepted Answer

10/10/2009 8:25:37 PM

Jeffriey

When you say after he eats are you talking immediately, a few hours later, the next day? If it's right after he could be still be hungry and in feeding mode or he just doesn't want to be bothered after a big meal.

Author Comment

10/10/2009 8:40:03 PM

MrCoyote

Yeah it's immediately after he eats. He feeding on large mice and it leaves a good size lump on him, i've thought about feeding him some more but how much is too much?

Member Comment

10/10/2009 8:47:53 PM

Jeffriey

A good size lump should be ok. In any case it's always best to leave them alone right after a meal for a least a couple of days. Some of my snakes are still in feeding mode hours after or into the next day and will strike at anything that moves but at any other time very docile.

Assisted Answer

10/10/2009 10:58:08 PM

vonnick52

For those animals that are tough to switch to frozen thawed, I actually utilize the after-the-first meal aggression by feeding them a fairly small meal live, and then tempting them with a F/T rodent after they are all excited from the first meal.

I'd say almost all of my animals are "somewhat" aggressive after a meal. With any snake, you don't want to handle and harass them immediately after a meal anyways, as it's possible to induce a regurgitation.

Assisted Answer

10/10/2009 11:19:16 PM

gfx

Snakes don't seem to feel "full" like we do. He's probably not being aggressive, he's probably just in feeding mode and ready to eat whatever is put in front of him next. Chances are he'll eat until he pukes so you have to be the one to regulate his intake. A noticeable lump is appropriate, just leave him alone for a few days and let him digest, he'll be fine.

Member Comment

10/11/2009 2:54:28 AM

masterfulpoopsie

he just wants to eat, very typical of many species after eating

Assisted Answer

10/11/2009 8:54:29 AM

titus

What your seeing is perfectly normal, I've had the tamest of snakes be mosters after feeding. What you have to remember is that most if not all reptiles are opportunistic feeders and will eat what ever comes by as long as it's within their prey. After feeding it's a easy mistake to see a warm hand as a good meal. All in all our reptiles have a good life compared to the wild where a good sized meal may come along every few weeks or few months, ours are fed at regulare intervals and don't have to deal with longer fasting periods. But it's just hard wired for them to get as much food as they can while availible, not knowing when the next meal will come by.

Assisted Answer

10/11/2009 2:09:26 PM

shellboa

I "trained" my boas not to strike after feeding (had to feed in seperate tubs while they were housed together) by spraying them with water before I reached in to put them back in their enclosure. Not a blast but more than just a mist, they figured out pretty quick that when the water came, no more food was coming. I also did not handle them any more than just to return them to the enclosure for at least 2-3 days after feeding. They took pretty easy to froz/thw too, just make sure its nice and warm all the way through and do the "I'm food" dance.

Member Comment

10/12/2009 3:06:29 PM

JohnJohn

I would agree that he's just in a feeding response. I usually leave them alone until the next day after they feed.

Member Comment

10/12/2009 6:23:56 PM

zachrfields

Hes probably still hungry

Member Comment

1/17/2011 11:59:06 AM

abi21491

This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action.

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