Hook question

[bns]

If you are mistaken for food they will usually bite down and may even start to pull coils. Boas almost always let go immediately if this happens. (I say 'almost always' because anything is possible but I don't know of a case where a boa had to be unwrapped from its keeper unless the keeper went in smelling like a rat -literally smelling like food...and even then boas seem to figure it out quickly). The defensive strike is just a quick hit. The boa doesn't bite down and the skin has pin holes where the teeth hit the skin. A keeper should avoid being bit but it is helpful if one has the mental fortitude to not pull back the hand with a reaction...pulling away allows those curved teeth to dig in and do damage. New keepers prefer to think they were mistaken for food...I'm 99% sure your bite was defensive.

Boas have a reactionary trigger. At first contact they will strike out of defense or to try to gain a meal...millions of years of programming at work here. Keepers use tools to stop this program (hooks and such). Every keeper learns quickly you are most likely to get bit at initial interaction. Don't forget to the use the tool between your ears.

I don't own a snake hook and it is very rare that I get bit. -Just bragging a bit but it proves my point about using your noodle. There is something about picking a snake up gently that ends their bite program and believe it or not that applies to wild snakes (gentle is important). The key is to get them picked up without restraining them. For young boa I open the door and shoot my flat hand down on their head...barely touching them. Keep my hand over their head and use my other hand to scoop them up. Then give them a minute to sort out they are off the ground...mission accomplished (this requires commitment and no hesitation). If they are stretched out I will often just reach in for the back third of the body and pick them up. All of this gets more challenging as they get bigger because they often come to the open door looking for food with their head raised off the ground. Often putting anything in front of their face like a paper towel roll will end the 'program' and I can do whatever I want. You keep the paper towel roll out of range until the boa checks it out.

Like I said, I wanted to brag a bit but the technique is sound. A hook is a good tool and most smart keepers use one. IMO a better tool to aid in picking up a boa is something like a paddle. An object that can break the line of sight between them and what your other hand is doing (picking them up).

Over 20 years ago I had hair (long hair) and I noticed that hair touching the face of a boa while holding it would sometimes trigger them to open their mouth and swing their head around looking to grab onto something. I'm certain this was reactionary...something to consider.