Boa hissing

I just had a question regarding my 6 month old red tailed boa. She's generally a massive wuss but recently she has started hissing, I have changed her from mice to rats last feed and she switched just fine. I fed her 3 days ago and was wondering that she may be hissing because the meals are bigger than usual and she may need more time to settle after eating before handling.

has anyone encountered their little boa hissing a few days after eating?

Welcome to the forum CS.

If it's a hiss while at rest they are just being grumpy and don't want to be bothered. They rarely bite unless that just becomes their nature. It's just a bluff.

If you go away they may make it a habit to hiss thinking/knowing that it works.

Being a bluff, go ahead and remove them, but approach from behind. Let her know that hissing is of no use against you.


Now if you're hearing hissing as they crawl on you it is usually just heavy breathing rather than hissing.

She might be getting ready to shed too. Both my girls tend to become antisocial when they are going into shed and will sit inside their hides. My sunglow has hissed at me once when going into shed but she was new so was probably a bit worried. Since then nothing. Also remember, its a baby so it is kind of nervous until you both know each other better. And remember, smaller food is better than large food. Boas don't stretch like pythons so something too big can cause them to regurgitate. I feed Rosey who is about 6' a weaned rabbit which is about the size of a medium rat every 2-3 weeks and I feed Vicky who is 4' a weaned rat every 2-3 weeks.

Food related in a different way.If she could talk,she'd say... "Let go my Eggo"!:rolleye2::gj:

My babies don't hiss, but their parents sure do! I generally ignore it. I watch body posture and keep control of the head. Point it away from me. My female will take up a strike posture, but so far it has been a bluff. Knock on wood. I just figure we all know the game at this point.

I use to have quite a few boas. I had a het. Albino female that would hiss like crazy. She was the only one I ever had that would. This only got worse after she was gravid and had a clutch. I think it's just has to do with each snakes own personality.

One of my Boa's will hiss every time you touch her . I don't think I recall a time where she didn't. Has not struck at me once . Just makes a lot of noise.