she is being highly defensive and aggressive because she is scared, protecting herself and is stressed out at your presence/being handled.

I agree with young gun; why would you want to handle her??

I know some people do like to handle their snakes, but I really don't agree with this; if you want a ''pet'' you can handle and play around with, get a hamster or a dog.

Snakes that are defensive when handled (or even when you go near them) do it because you are a very real threat to them, and pushing them by handling etc stresses them even more. I think it is unfair to handle a snake that is this defensive.

I actually think it is lovely to see a snake like this; it shows them with a natural fear of humans/predators rather than the tame ''pets'' people have turned them into.

Many royals are 'tame' and will allow handling, but I don't see the need. We leave all of ours be, only handling to take them out when cleaning/checking over.

We have a number of ratsnakes which are highly aggressive, and we see no need to tame them.

People play with and pet dogs/cats because they enjoy the human interaction and attention; people play with snake for their own benefit...

Before people all flame me...the above comment on get a hamster if you want something to handle was NOT directed at TonyB or anyone else...it was just a general comment expressing my personal views.

Everyone is different, although the facts do remain that snakes that are agressive (or even royal that just ball up) do it because they are scared and stressed.

If some lunatic rushed up to you in the street and flung their arms around you, started stroking you, running their fingers through your hair etc...I wouldn't like it...and I'd likely smack them if they wouldn't stop with a warning...let alone if they kept doing it every day/frequently.

its cool, i did buy her as a breeder so over handling wont be a problem. it's just that it'd be nice to be able to get her out every once in a while as shes a gorgeous looking snake. All my other royals are so calm and love coming out.

Your right about her being an agressive feeder though, she almost dragged me in along with the rat when i first fed her.

Regarding stuck sheds etc...these should be a rare occurence...and I would personally rather stress my snakes out once in a blue moon to assist a stuck shed, rather than on a regular basis ''just incase''.

The only snake i have ever handled regularly was my 9foot burmese...for obvious reasons.

Even if we needed to take any of our snakes to the vets...on go the gloves. You don't need a ''tame'' snake just for the few occasions (or never in some cases) you need a trip to the vets.

well would depend who the stranger was!!!!
so you are saying i was wrong to tame down my snake. when now, when i walk in the room she is asking to be out. and as long as you move slowly around her she is basically fine. i have a large female who when i clean her tub, ends up wrapped around me, and wont go back in. are you saying she doesnt want to interact with me?

Wasn't having a go at you mate honestly, just didn't see why people would want to damage a great feeding royal because its a bit aggressive.

Likely your body warmth that she is after, snakes don't/can't differentiate between different people.

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I'm not going to get enroled in an arguement, hense my point made on my post about this being my personal views. It is up to the individual snake owner whether they choose to handle their snakes or not, nothing to do with me.

I'm not saying it is wrong...just something I wouldn't personally do, nor see the need in.

If you need to move slowly around her, she still sees' you as a threat.

Snakes don't have the capability to ''interact''. They are a living machine in effect, they react to stimuli and their environment in basic ways. They are not capable of feeling emotions...happiness, sadness, anger...their bodies dictate in effect, depending on the stimulus they are presented with.

They therefore cannot 'enjoy' comming out, although they may slither around etc.

I've presented this view a number of times; without me sounding rather obnoxious, it's a fantastic day outside (for once! Lol) my son has just woken up, and I just don't have the energy to get into an arguement etc.

everyone is gonna think differently. for a while my 'aggressive' royal didnt eat. now she is coming out at times, AND eating regularly. and her strike is brilliant to watch. if they are in vivs maybe they dont need handled as often, but in tubs i feel they need a bit more excersise. just my opinion. and calming mine down a bit, has worked for me and her. and its fine wearing gloves to get them to vets, but if you were a vet would you be happy having to handle a snake that was basically dangerous.

lol and am not arguing either. we all do things differently. and we all tend to think our way is best. what works for one wont work for another. enjoy the sun.

not an expert on this but i think if you let it bit you a couple of times and it sees it cant hurt you it should came down quick enough

could be wrong

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1.0.0 common boa, coist
0.1.1 royals, homer & marge
0.0.1 rainbow boa, cuddles
0.0.1 rescued cali king, nacho


http://www.bebo.com/royalboa

aye yg its body heat. am not daft enough to think she now loves me to bits. and its prob my face she used to go for because the heat from my nose would be most prominent.