Are red tail boa's dangerous animals?

[EvesFriend]

I am getting a red tail very soon. I have experience with ball pythons as well as baby red tails, however the one I am getting is over 4 feet. I am very educated on these snakes and do not feel like they are much of a threat. What are the odds of my new red tail constricting around me and strangling me to death? From what I've seen and heard, these animals are extremely docile and aren't much of a threat. True?

[stratus_020202]

I am getting a red tail very soon. I have experience with ball pythons as well as baby red tails, however the one I am getting is over 4 feet. I am very educated on these snakes and do not feel like they are much of a threat. What are the odds of my new red tail constricting around me and strangling me to death? From what I've seen and heard, these animals are extremely docile and aren't much of a threat. True?

Well, keep in mind it is a constrictor. My advice would be to not wrap it around your neck. Honestly that's how accidents happen. They wouldn't intentionally strangle you. That's a dumb myth. However, it is how they hang on, and what they do when they are frightened. Do a little more research before you buy one. Try and know as much as you can about them.

[Vypyrz]

I am getting a red tail very soon. I have experience with ball pythons as well as baby red tails, however the one I am getting is over 4 feet. I am very educated on these snakes and do not feel like they are much of a threat. What are the odds of my new red tail constricting around me and strangling me to death? From what I've seen and heard, these animals are extremely docile and aren't much of a threat. True?

They are like every other reptile. Their behavior depends on the individual snake, amount of handling and feeding. If you don't think you will be comfortable with a larger snake then maybe start out with one of the smaller locality boas. I would suggest getting a snake hook though...

[kitedemon]

In my experience with red tails yes they are reasonably docile (as far as snakes go) Try not to be mellow dramatic...

"What are the odds of my new red tail constricting around me and strangling me to death?"

It does not help you are the industry. The first question is how big are you? Snakes are very powerful creatures. It will not see you as food and in defence it will try to hide or bite if it can't hide. So constricting isn't aggressive or feeding response but it is if it feels like it is going to fall. They will hold on tight uncomfortably so. It is a large animal 9 feet long and 60+ lbs. I am 6'4" and 240lbs and am in ok shape so likely I can overpower the snake, that is me if you are 5 foot and 90 pounds you likely cannot.

All animals need to be respected for what they are capable of, most medium sized dogs are capable of a great deal of damage to a human, they can and have killed people. A snake of any size needs to be respected for the power it is capable of. A big redtail is a very strong animal and one of size I would not casually drape around my neck, over one shoulder yes, They need to feel secure so move carefully, and don't allow the animal to wrap around anything too vital (neck, head, chest) if the the size of the keeper and animal are too close it needs to be treated like a much larger animal it is relative to size. If you are not so big and the snake is quite big don't handle it alone, ever. It will not stop because you feed it it will react on instinct and if you are in the way you could have more on your hands than you have bargained for. It is hard to say, perhaps you should be asking yourself are you ready?
Alex

[Crazy4Herps]

The short answer? Not unless you're an idiot.


The chances of a boa (even a really big 12ft+ boa) strangling you is slim to none. Constrictors constrict only with the intention of eating. Constricting a "prey" item puts them in a vulnerable position, with their head occupied, therefore constriction is never defensive, and a red tail is by no means capable of eating an adult. That said, just a few months ago I was reading some articles about the first ever recorded human killing by a boa constrictor. Apparently, some guy was hanging out with friends, had his 9ft boa around his neck. The boa got a little agitated by all the commotion, and the guy got nervous, grabbing the boa abruptly and attempting to pull it off of him. It strangled him. At least this is what I've read. My take? First of all, it is my guess that they were all drunk (otherwise, the others would have been able to remove the snake from his neck long before it could kill him), the snake was startled by his abrupt movement and being dislocated from its perch and instinctively grabbed on for security, with no intent of killing him.

Moral of the story? Never handle large snakes while drinking, don't put large snakes around your neck, don't grab them, and you're set.

I will link to those articles if I can find them again.


I must say, though, I have a boa who's a bit over four foot and is really starting to fill out, and she's surprisingly strong. I am completely confident that, at this size, I could unwrap her from my neck with ease if she were to attempt to strangle me, but still, I don't take her out if I am alone in the house and I don't let her wrap around my neck. These may be "unnecessary" precautions, but, much as I adore my snakes, they are wild animals and their capabilities should be respected.

Considering that you're familiar with and educated about the species and snakes in general, go for it. Boas are the greatest pets (by far my favorites), are easy to handle, and (in my experience) extraordinarily docile (though young ones can be spunky, my 4' girl still nips me now and then, but that's not an issue). However, they should not be underestimated, and you should always keep your head while handling larger boas.

[stratus_020202]

All animals need to be respected for what they are capable of

I love this statement!

And I knew the guy who was killed by the boa. It was just him and his girlfriend. He reached around at the boas head to remove it and the snake tensed from fear. He was just inexperienced. Stupidity turned to tragedy.

You couldn't pay me enough to put any snake around my neck without means of getting it off. The most important thing, is to prepare for the worst. Know what you are going to do if something does happen. And remember, for every 6 ft of snake there should be an extra person handy. You can never be too careful.

[NewParadigms]

I've never heard of any snakes besides Reticulated, Burmese and African Rock killing a human in captivity.

[stratus_020202]

I've never heard of any snakes besides Reticulated, Burmese and African Rock killing a human in captivity.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/10...ke-police-say/''

It was all over the news, and everybody gave me the scoop within a few hours. Suddenly because I have ball pythons, and this guy was killed by a snake, I live in danger every day. Ugh. The first that I know of. Just stupidity turned tragedy. And, I'm still trying to explain it to snake haters. But, some will never feel the snake fever.

[bsavage]

they're as dangerous as whoever is holding them

[mainbutter]

I generally treat a non-venomous snake to be as potentially dangerous as a dog of similar weight. It's far from a perfect analogy, but close enough to think about taking some precautions as they get larger.