How dangerous is a boa?

Originally Posted by Mike Greathouse

Another thing to consider is a well placed bite. I'm sure that most of us have been bitten at one time or another by a large boa. While these bites are usually on the hands or arms, the bleeding can often be profuse. Imagine a similar bite on the neck striking an artery. The loss of blood combined with a possible coiling could incapacitate someone very quickly.

While all of these are worst-case scenarios and are unlikely, that doesn't eliminate the possibility for disaster. The power of the animals must be respected!

I only have 2 boas, neither are large enough to cause any real damage besides a bite. But the blood thing brings up an interesting point. Getting bit on the wrist and puncturing a vein or artery, could that possibly be fatal. I got a nice bite today on my hand, I reached in to change the water and my 5'+ female is in shed. She sprung out of her hide latching on to me, I think jerking away when they latch on could cause some severe bleeding and POSSIBLY rip a vein. Just another angle to look at it from. I would think a boa would be more than likely to bite and go into full constriction mode on a feeding mistake than defensive.

Originally Posted by Jake The Snake

I think jerking away when they latch on could cause some severe bleeding and POSSIBLY rip a vein.

That would be a definate maybe right there. It's real hard to NOT pull away when bit. Even when you know it will merely give the boa a better tooth hold. LOL

I agree Harald, John Q public is not going to remain calm. That's a fact!! I think it has to do with the snake being the all time most evil creature biblically and historically, and the general public being ignorant of them. Even most pet stores are ignorant except for basic care needs.

I wonder how many of us would remain calm. Knowing what to do and doing it when panicked is another thing entirely.

One thing some seem to over look here is children, they were mentioned in the question. Now it's unlikely but as someone mentioned snakes sometimes mistake us for food and bite and a big boa biting, coiling and constricting a small child is possible and a small child can't get loose.

I always like those that say don't jerk back when one bites you!! I keep mostly Arboreal's and have been tagged a few times. Pulled back so hard one time the Emerald hit the wall!! Then had to catch a really pissed off 7 foot set of large teeth with green scales lol..Randy

going by pain scale...........I'd take a hit from a grown boa over a grown corallus any day. LOL Been tagged by every ETB that's come my way, and they all hurt more than any boa bite I've received. Must have something to do with FANGS, CANINES, you know, those unusually LONG teeth that ETB's have. LOL

Hmmmmmmm. I have to say that I have never been bitten by an adult ETB. juvies, yes. Maybe I am just more careful with the adults. I did almost get it once, though - I had one of my big females out for some reason and she was just meandering along then she pressed her face up against my hand...I noticed the pressure and pulled away as she was opening her mouth. Ya gotta love THAT bite style - gives you sufficient notice (if you are paying attention). The ornery biters just come at ya, I don't mind that one so much either. It's the unpredictable ones that I don't like.

Originally Posted by ravensgait

I wonder how many of us would remain calm. Knowing what to do and doing it when panicked is another thing entirely.

One thing some seem to over look here is children, they were mentioned in the question. Now it's unlikely but as someone mentioned snakes sometimes mistake us for food and bite and a big boa biting, coiling and constricting a small child is possible and a small child can't get loose.

My girl that got me the other day is only 5' and 8 lbs so I wasn't too worried. Once she bit me I flinched at first but then I did what I needed to and grabbed her by the back of the head and pry her mouth off me. I see how someone not being experienced with medium sized snakes like boas would flinch and cause more damage. As for a small child be constricted, I don't think the boa is likely to mistake a small child for food UNLESS they smell like rats or rabbits. Most boas seem to get used to people us being around by just cleaning their cages and a little handling therefore not recognizing us as food. I agree, a young child, if wrapped up by a large boa wouldn't be able to have a chance without someone near by. But if you look at it like this, a responsible snake owner won't leave any child alone with a snake that size either way so that takes the risks WAY DOWN!! I agree with that quote 100%! I have to agree when a snake the size of a large boa grabs on, its not very easy to remain calm but if you don't panic, you will more than likely be fine.
Jake

[quote=Jake The Snake]But if you look at it like this, a responsible snake owner won't leave any child alone with a snake that size either way so that takes the risks WAY DOWN!!/QUOTE]
I guess I should have said ANY SNAKE. Sorry about that

I only read enough to get the jest of this discussion so if what I am going to say has been covered then please forgive the redundancy.

Can a 10 foot boa kill an adult? Absolutely. Could a 10 foot boa kill me? Not in a million years. I think that might be the differences in opinions here. If my mother was watching my animals for me then yes, I could see a very real likelihood of a boa being able to take her down. She is not a strong woman and is small in stature.

But, could my 10 footer take me down? No, I honestly do not believe any 10 footer, whether boa, burm etc, could do enough damage to me to cause me to succumb. While these animals do have a lot of strength, they do not have what it takes to bring down an above average size male. For that matter, they probably could not bring down an average size male. Females and children are a whole different story.

I do personally know of a good friend who almost succumbed to a 16 foot burmese though. He is an average size male and she was an above average size burmese. But, thankfully, his wits kicked in and he was able to remove her wrap from him and get away. He owned that snake for quite a few years and she was gone within a week of this occurring.

Griz

Originally Posted by Jake The Snake

Once she bit me I flinched at first but then I did what I needed to and grabbed her by the back of the head and pry her mouth off me.

and just what did you use to PRY her mouth off you??
I, personally, find it much easier (on me and the snake, lizard, whatever) to just let them release me of their own accord. It might take a few more minutes (then again, it might not), but no broken teeth or any other injuries.

Originally Posted by hhmoore

and just what did you use to PRY her mouth off you??
I, personally, find it much easier (on me and the snake, lizard, whatever) to just let them release me of their own accord. It might take a few more minutes (then again, it might not), but no broken teeth or any other injuries.

I sorta pushed my hand in her mouth further to try and unhook the teeth. I guess I didn't actually "pry" her off. I sort of let her know that I was not food and my arm wasn't going to go down in her stomach. I'll get bite pics of it when I get my camera replaced tonight. I strongly believe a large boa bite could easily rip open some sort of major vein