I don't want to sound stupid, but this sounds pretty dumb in my mind. I will not let that feeling stop me from asking, however.

My grandfather bought me another boa. He is roughly 6'. Is there any chance that the scent of my cat will bring on a feeding response? My snakes are in my room, as it is the calmest, quietest place for them. My cat (all of about 6 lbs at the most) likes to be in here when I am, so her scent is everywhere. She does not pester the snakes, and is not allowed near them, on their enclosures, etc. When I am not home, my door is shut and she is not allowed in.

I've never had a problem with her scent exciting my cornsnake, other boa, or the two ball pythons. I've had all of them very close to her (NOT INTENTIONALLY), and they weren't interested at all. It would be one of those things where I'd have a snake wrapped around an arm, and I'd be cleaning out soiled bedding, and I'd not even realize the cat was close to them (either sleeping, or trying to rub on me because she's in love with anyone that gives her attention). I don't know if it's different with such a large snake.

Should I lock the cat out when I have Marley out and about in the room? Dogs, too? I'm asking in advance because Marley is in the "settling in" period as of a few hours ago. The cat was nowhere in sight (for once...) when I put Marley in his new home to relax, so I didn't worry about it then, and obviously didn't see a reaction.

Thank you so much in advance! I really hope that didn't sound like too dumb of a question. I'd asked one of my fellow snake keepers, but he said he had no idea because he never had cats, dogs, birds, etc around his snakes.