Are red tail boa's dangerous animals?

You've opened quite the can of worms here, my friend.

Red-tailed boas do get rather large, especially to someone who has only had ball pythons in the past. Yes, they have the potential to be dangerous, because they're very strong snakes, especially when they're full-grown.

However, they are very docile in nature when brought up with the right husbandry and the right feeding schedule. As an owner you should do the right things to prevent an incident (feed your snake properly, a hungry boa is a more dangerous boa; don't feed the snake with your hands as it will start to associate your hands with food; don't handle the snake right after feeding it or another snake, or while you smell like rodents, etc.)

Think of it this way: Is a car dangerous? Well, it can be, if you don't know how to drive.

...From the New Article:
'The Humane Society of the United States says at least 13 people have been killed in the U.S. by pet pythons -- which are also constrictors -- since 1980.

"But as far as I know, this is the first time someone has been killed by a pet boa constrictor," said Beth Preiss, the society's captive wildlife regulation specialist.'

The stats I'd seen were from before this happened, I didn't hear about this story out here in NC. It's a shame that happened, and odd behavior for a red-tail. I suppose it had to be just a matter of time, but I wouldn't let that tarnish the red-tail's stellar track record as a rather docile snake. I guess someday people will learn not to handle snakes over 8' long alone, they are after all 'animals' and thus inherently unpredictable.

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Originally Posted by NewParadigms

...From the New Article:
'The Humane Society of the United States says at least 13 people have been killed in the U.S. by pet pythons -- which are also constrictors -- since 1980.

"But as far as I know, this is the first time someone has been killed by a pet boa constrictor," said Beth Preiss, the society's captive wildlife regulation specialist.'

The stats I'd seen were from before this happened, I didn't hear about this story out here in NC. It's a shame that happened, and odd behavior for a red-tail. I suppose it had to be just a matter of time, but I wouldn't let that tarnish the red-tail's stellar track record as a rather docile snake. I guess someday people will learn not to handle snakes over 8' long alone, they are after all 'animals' and thus inherently unpredictable.

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Yeah, was definately a shocker. What they don't tell you in the article is this:

1. He was a new owner, and had only had the boa for about 6 months.
2. It was an aggressive snake to begin with. Whoever had it before didn't handle it enough. It had bit him a few times.
3. It was his first snake.

With balls, I usually tell new owners to start small and raise it. That way they can learn the snakes behavior. And, they are their most dangerous fresh out of the egg. :) Little fiends.

All animals have defense mechanisms that they use when they are threatened, the key is knowing how not to trigger those defenses and it's a learning process. If you are uncomfortable handling a larger snake get a smaller one and learn how snakes tick first.

Also any animal is only as dangerous when in the hands of the ignorant, inexperienced, or the just plain idiotic. Mistakes happen and it’s your responsibility as the pet owner to take the precautions necessary to make sure that when they do no one gets seriously hurt. Especially when dealing with an instinctual animal with no reasoning capabilities.

My best piece of advice is to get a snake hook. It is truly an invaluable tool. I use it to wake up and lift my boa every time I get her out of her cage, and it instantly reduces her feeding response. I wish I owned a snake hook when I first started out owning snakes several years ago, because it would have saved me a lot of trouble when I was worried about being bitten.

I have a big snakehook that I use on my Bredli and the weight of her on the hook with me holding her other half makes me worry about her ribs.

I can't imagine trying to put the weight of a redtail boa on a snakehook.


...but I'm no expert /shrug

In terms of cage aggression (feeding mode), you don't have to actually lift the snake out of the cage with a hook (heavier snakes do need more support than a hook). Simply "hook train" your boa; before you lift him/her out for handling, gently pat his/her head with the end of a snake hook. This way, your snake will soon begin to associate the hook with handling, and will snap out of food mode when they notice the hook.

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Originally Posted by Crazy4Herps

In terms of cage aggression (feeding mode), you don't have to actually lift the snake out of the cage with a hook (heavier snakes do need more support than a hook). Simply "hook train" your boa; before you lift him/her out for handling, gently pat his/her head with the end of a snake hook. This way, your snake will soon begin to associate the hook with handling, and will snap out of food mode when they notice the hook.

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That's what I meant. When I open the tub, I gently rub her body with the hook and lift up her neck/head a little bit, and then pick her up with my hand.

Interesting- I do that with my hook as well, but I had no idea thats what it was meant for. I always thought the hook was for picking them up. I have to use a hook on my Bredli because at the moment I have her in a deep aquarium and she doesn't like being approached from above. Many have told me that snakes prefer to be contacted from the side as they view predators as being above them. At least in this case it seems to be true, because when she is on the top of the tank and she is at eye level she is completely timid.

I'm getting some animal plastics cages when I get my tax return.

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

Yeah, was definately a shocker. What they don't tell you in the article is this:

1. He was a new owner, and had only had the boa for about 6 months.
2. It was an aggressive snake to begin with. Whoever had it before didn't handle it enough. It had bit him a few times.
3. It was his first snake.

With balls, I usually tell new owners to start small and raise it. That way they can learn the snakes behavior. And, they are their most dangerous fresh out of the egg. :) Little fiends.

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also He showed a friend.... Are you telling me 2 grown people (im assuming a 34 year old was showing another adult) couldn't get a 9 foot snake off him. I've pulled an 8 foot RTB off my ex before when it missed the rat she was feeding it and wrapped around her arm. their no doubt strong but this 120 pound kid was able to unwrap it. So what the heck was his friend doing while all this happened is my question.