Thinking about getting a hog island boa

[Ajzboss12]

I am looking to get a bigger snake so I was thinking about getting a smaller boa so I did some research and found the Hog. I really like the size, coloration, and behavior. But the only problem is that my parents aren't liking the idea of getting a boa or Python. There main concern is if it bites so I was wondering if anyone could give me some help?

[redshepherd]

For most snake owners who have multiple snakes, it's more a matter of "when" you get tagged, and not "if". Random tags can happen eventually. Follow the feeding rules, wash your hands with soap after touching their food, avoid handling right before/after they eat, and that's all we can do.

The fact is that a bite is not a huge deal for most smaller~medium snakes, python or boa or not, and treated the same as any other puncture wound. Rats can bite too, and those are much worse! I've been bitten by an adult rat on the hand before, and blood flowed! I'd much rather get bitten by one of my pythons/boa. LOL

[Ajzboss12]

Thanks, I keep telling my dad if you get bit the shock is more intense than the bite its self.

[Gio]

I've been bitten by 2 of my 3 when the were juveniles. Since then, nothing. Proper procedures and learning your animal's behavior will keep you from taking a bite. An adult Hog Island boa is nothing to worry about. Defensive bites are not serious. Feeding response bites can cause problems but you are looking at large pythons and BIG mistakes when that happens.



You should be just fine with that boa.

[Sauzo]

Get it as a yearling or younger and you will most likely not have a problem. I've been bit by all my gals once and it wasn't bad. They bleed a lot but don't really hurt. The only that actually kind of hurt was from my BP when she thought my finger was a smaller rat and she grabbed it and tried to drag my finger/hand into her hide but that was totally my fault there. My sunglow bit me too but again, was my fault as my hand smelled like a rat and I was having a derp moment lol. My big girl Rosey has only bit me as a baby because when I first got her, I came in over her head and it scared her and she pretty much just headbutted my arm. And the new jungle bit me when I had to sacrifice my hand over her climbing on a heating CHE. It scared her more than anything and she tagged me and then turned around and wandered the other way calmly lol.

The thing is, pay attention when feeding. Use common sense. Don't try and touch the snake when it smells food or you smell like food. They have long feeding responses and will usually grab anything warm when they are in feed mode. Boas are usually pretty mellow though. Retics and burms have very strong feeding response and get big so those you want to be extra careful during feeding time. I saw a picture of a guys retic who shot out of its cage when he opened the door and grabbed a garbage bag with snake waste in it and coiled it. The guy was just cage cleanings for everyone but this retic thought it was feeding day I guess lol.

And like redshepard said, mice and rats hurt a lot more than a snake bite. I've been bit by rats and mice too and my god, they make your finger throb lol. Snake bites are usually so fast, you don't really know what happened until you see the pissed off snake and blood leaking from your hand lol. Then you realize....you little SOB, you tagged me lol.

[Prognathodon]

Once upon a time my Honduran milk snake held on and *chewed*, and I'd still rather get bit by one of our snakes than a rodent!


Sent using software and hardware

[Breezer]

Ohhhhhhh I'm so with ya on the hog, had my ball a year and learnt a lot, to say I'm hooked is an understatement, going out tomorrow to look at some, my prince has never struck at me, I leave him be after a meal for a couple of days, after that can't keep him in, sits around my neck and on the sofa watching the dog lol ,,,,,, I'd be more afraid of getting bitten by the dog than a snake ,,,,, well my snake lol ,,,,,,, hope your parents give ya a break ,,,, good luck