• Posted 12/19/2024.
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    I am still waiting on my developer to finish up on the Classifieds Control Panel so I can use it to encourage members into becoming paying members. Google Adsense has become a real burden on the viewing of this site, but honestly it is the ONLY source of income now that keeps it afloat. I tried offering disabling the ads being viewed by paying members, but apparently that is not enough incentive. Quite frankly, Google Adsense has dropped down to where it barely brings in enough daily to match even a single paid member per day. But it still gets the bills paid. But at what cost?

    So even without the classifieds control panel being complete, I believe I am going to have to disable those Google ads completely and likely disable some options here that have been free since going to the new platform. Like classified ad bumping, member name changes, and anything else I can use to encourage this site to be supported by the members instead of the Google Adsense ads.

    But there is risk involved. I will not pay out of pocket for very long during this last ditch experimental effort. If I find that the membership does not want to support this site with memberships, then I cannot support your being able to post your classified ads here for free. No, I am not intending to start charging for your posting ads here. I will just shut the site down and that will be it. I will be done with FaunaClassifieds. I certainly don't need this, and can live the rest of my life just fine without it. If I see that no one else really wants it to survive neither, then so be it. It goes away and you all can just go elsewhere to advertise your animals and merchandise.

    Not sure when this will take place, and I don't intend to give any further warning concerning the disabling of the Google Adsense. Just as there probably won't be any warning if I decide to close down this site. You will just come here and there will be some sort of message that the site is gone, and you have a nice day.

    I have been trying to make a go of this site for a very long time. And quite frankly, I am just tired of trying. I had hoped that enough people would be willing to help me help you all have a free outlet to offer your stuff for sale. But every year I see less and less people coming to this site, much less supporting it financially. That is fine. I tried. I retired the SerpenCo business about 14 years ago, so retiring out of this business completely is not that big if a step for me, nor will it be especially painful to do. When I was in Thailand, I did not check in here for three weeks. I didn't miss it even a little bit. So if you all want it to remain, it will be in your hands. I really don't care either way.

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    Some people have indicated that finding the method to contribute is rather difficult. And I have to admit, that it is not all that obvious. So to help, here is a thread to help as a quide. How to become a contributing member of FaunaClassifieds.

    And for the record, I will be shutting down the Google Adsense ads on January 1, 2025.
  • In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

How dangerous is a boa?

I have put my madagascar tree boas around me neck before and at only 4 1/2 ft they can definitely cosntrict pretty tight. So I believe that they are capable of killing but its very unlikely.

Definite difference in ability to kill vs. to eat.
 
I held an adult female red tail at the show last weekend. I have held many different kinds of snakes and I have a baby redtail of my own. I can't wait til she gets that big! Just from the weight of the animal on my shoulders and on my arms, I could tell that she could have done me serious harm if she wanted too. Killed me? If i didn't know how to uncoil a snake or there was no one else around or if she turned from a gentle giant to an anrgy croc, yes.
 
If a boa got around your neck, it would be a matter of seconds (less than 10 is possible) before you passed out... I have seen someone pass out within 5 seconds after having a similar martial arts hold applied... That doesn't give much time to get yourself free... If the snake kept the pressure for any length of time, it is very possible that it would kill...
 
sfaoldguy said:
If a boa got around your neck, it would be a matter of seconds (less than 10 is possible) before you passed out... I have seen someone pass out within 5 seconds after having a similar martial arts hold applied... That doesn't give much time to get yourself free... If the snake kept the pressure for any length of time, it is very possible that it would kill...

I didn't say that to argue with anyone but in hopes that people will become more aware of the danger... Use extreme caution when handling such powerful predators even if it has been your pet for years...

It isn't fun feeling the pressure in your head shoot up... Your ears pop and your eyes feel like they are going to explode and then everything goes black almost instantly... I know because I was the one who passed out from the hold in a wrestling match where I got cocky... LOL...
 
Well, it's kind of embarrassing, but I used to keep boas around my neck all the time. But, like mentioned........The arteries. LOL I knocked clean out from Aurora just putting "holding on" pressure to either side of my neck one time. I don't let them go all the way around my neck any more. That convinced me that in a severe situation, she had the strength to kill me.

Bu i don't believe her or any snake under 12 foot would have the strength to stop me from unwrapping them under normal conditions. And i am only of average strength, nothing to brag about. But i've had burms up to 13 foot in the past and a conda around 11 foot, and I'm not convinced they were stronger than me at all. And My male burm was an ass most all of the time.

The circumstances would have some play maybe. if you didn't have use of your hands for example, then they are plenty strong enough. Something severe like that.

Rick
 
One thing to keep in mind that John Q Public is not necessarily going to proceed calmly and rationally in that situation...nor are emergency personnel.
I can think of a couple of occasions that snake encounters made the news locally. This is my favorite: A 4-4.5 ft albino burm (I think bit, and) constricted a teenaged pet shop employee's arm. She freaked out, and the other people in the immediate vicinity followed suit. Panic ensued. Emergency services were called in, and they quickly resolved the situation...by spraying the snake with a fire extinguisher. That example alone shows what the combination of inexperience and panic can do. If that same snake had been around her neck and tightened, that girl would probably have died
 
I think the intro to that care sheet is completely factual. As sfaoldguy said, a couple seconds of pressure on the carotids and even the strongest guy in the world is out cold. but the thing is, in martial arts, once you're down, they let go, boas don't. I don't think the issue is whether or not a boa is dangerous, the issue is why are so many keepers unwilling to admit that fact. I think the answer is simple human nature. We don't want to admit that our beloved pets are in fact extremely well designed predators. People are uncomfortable with that fact. Unless its a reticulated python, for some reason very few people ever refer to retics as cute and cuddly. But people will refer to their burm or boa as "dog tame", completely ignoring the fact that this is an animal designed to crush its prey to death. I'm 6-2 and about 250lbs, but you better believe that anytime I'm dealing with a boid over 8 ft, I treat it with respect.
 
sfaoldguy said:
If a boa got around your neck, it would be a matter of seconds (less than 10 is possible) before you passed out... I have seen someone pass out within 5 seconds after having a similar martial arts hold applied... That doesn't give much time to get yourself free... If the snake kept the pressure for any length of time, it is very possible that it would kill...

that is more or less what i was saying in my previous post . even though it may not be likely , the potential is there . i studied judo for over 8 years and competed . i have seen big very strong men choked out in 5 to 10 seconds with pressure on the carotids . as i said before it seems most who have posted here saying they dont think its possible are looking at it from the point of view of someone who does know how to handle such a situation . someone who doesnt know what they are doing could very easily be overcome before they figured out what to do .
 
Don't know if this is relevent but some care sheets say not to put any boas(I'm sure it would include any constrictor) around your neck as the muscle movements could cause you to faint or pass out. I agree, the possibilty is there, if a large boa wanted to squeeze you, it probably could end your life. Theres so many different angles you can look at this from.
Jake
 
Another thing to consider is a well placed bite. I'm sure that most of us have been bitten at one time or another by a large boa. While these bites are usually on the hands or arms, the bleeding can often be profuse. Imagine a similar bite on the neck striking an artery. The loss of blood combined with a possible coiling could incapacitate someone very quickly.

While all of these are worst-case scenarios and are unlikely, that doesn't eliminate the possibility for disaster. The power of the animals must be respected!
 
Mike Greathouse said:
Another thing to consider is a well placed bite. I'm sure that most of us have been bitten at one time or another by a large boa. While these bites are usually on the hands or arms, the bleeding can often be profuse. Imagine a similar bite on the neck striking an artery. The loss of blood combined with a possible coiling could incapacitate someone very quickly.

While all of these are worst-case scenarios and are unlikely, that doesn't eliminate the possibility for disaster. The power of the animals must be respected!
I only have 2 boas, neither are large enough to cause any real damage besides a bite. But the blood thing brings up an interesting point. Getting bit on the wrist and puncturing a vein or artery, could that possibly be fatal. I got a nice bite today on my hand, I reached in to change the water and my 5'+ female is in shed. She sprung out of her hide latching on to me, I think jerking away when they latch on could cause some severe bleeding and POSSIBLY rip a vein. Just another angle to look at it from. I would think a boa would be more than likely to bite and go into full constriction mode on a feeding mistake than defensive.
 
Jake The Snake said:
I think jerking away when they latch on could cause some severe bleeding and POSSIBLY rip a vein.

That would be a definate maybe right there. It's real hard to NOT pull away when bit. Even when you know it will merely give the boa a better tooth hold. LOL

I agree Harald, John Q public is not going to remain calm. That's a fact!! I think it has to do with the snake being the all time most evil creature biblically and historically, and the general public being ignorant of them. Even most pet stores are ignorant except for basic care needs.
 
I wonder how many of us would remain calm. Knowing what to do and doing it when panicked is another thing entirely.

One thing some seem to over look here is children, they were mentioned in the question. Now it's unlikely but as someone mentioned snakes sometimes mistake us for food and bite and a big boa biting, coiling and constricting a small child is possible and a small child can't get loose.

I always like those that say don't jerk back when one bites you!! I keep mostly Arboreal's and have been tagged a few times. Pulled back so hard one time the Emerald hit the wall!! Then had to catch a really pissed off 7 foot set of large teeth with green scales lol..Randy
 
going by pain scale...........I'd take a hit from a grown boa over a grown corallus any day. LOL Been tagged by every ETB that's come my way, and they all hurt more than any boa bite I've received. Must have something to do with FANGS, CANINES, you know, those unusually LONG teeth that ETB's have. LOL
 
Hmmmmmmm. I have to say that I have never been bitten by an adult ETB. juvies, yes. Maybe I am just more careful with the adults. I did almost get it once, though - I had one of my big females out for some reason and she was just meandering along then she pressed her face up against my hand...I noticed the pressure and pulled away as she was opening her mouth. Ya gotta love THAT bite style - gives you sufficient notice (if you are paying attention). The ornery biters just come at ya, I don't mind that one so much either. It's the unpredictable ones that I don't like.
 
ravensgait said:
I wonder how many of us would remain calm. Knowing what to do and doing it when panicked is another thing entirely.

One thing some seem to over look here is children, they were mentioned in the question. Now it's unlikely but as someone mentioned snakes sometimes mistake us for food and bite and a big boa biting, coiling and constricting a small child is possible and a small child can't get loose.
My girl that got me the other day is only 5' and 8 lbs so I wasn't too worried. Once she bit me I flinched at first but then I did what I needed to and grabbed her by the back of the head and pry her mouth off me. I see how someone not being experienced with medium sized snakes like boas would flinch and cause more damage. As for a small child be constricted, I don't think the boa is likely to mistake a small child for food UNLESS they smell like rats or rabbits. Most boas seem to get used to people us being around by just cleaning their cages and a little handling therefore not recognizing us as food. I agree, a young child, if wrapped up by a large boa wouldn't be able to have a chance without someone near by. But if you look at it like this, a responsible snake owner won't leave any child alone with a snake that size either way so that takes the risks WAY DOWN!! I agree with that quote 100%! I have to agree when a snake the size of a large boa grabs on, its not very easy to remain calm but if you don't panic, you will more than likely be fine.
Jake
 
Jake The Snake said:
But if you look at it like this, a responsible snake owner won't leave any child alone with a snake that size either way so that takes the risks WAY DOWN!!/QUOTE]
I guess I should have said ANY SNAKE. Sorry about that
 
I only read enough to get the jest of this discussion so if what I am going to say has been covered then please forgive the redundancy.

Can a 10 foot boa kill an adult? Absolutely. Could a 10 foot boa kill me? Not in a million years. I think that might be the differences in opinions here. If my mother was watching my animals for me then yes, I could see a very real likelihood of a boa being able to take her down. She is not a strong woman and is small in stature.

But, could my 10 footer take me down? No, I honestly do not believe any 10 footer, whether boa, burm etc, could do enough damage to me to cause me to succumb. While these animals do have a lot of strength, they do not have what it takes to bring down an above average size male. For that matter, they probably could not bring down an average size male. Females and children are a whole different story.

I do personally know of a good friend who almost succumbed to a 16 foot burmese though. He is an average size male and she was an above average size burmese. But, thankfully, his wits kicked in and he was able to remove her wrap from him and get away. He owned that snake for quite a few years and she was gone within a week of this occurring.

Griz
 
Jake The Snake said:
Once she bit me I flinched at first but then I did what I needed to and grabbed her by the back of the head and pry her mouth off me.
and just what did you use to PRY her mouth off you??
I, personally, find it much easier (on me and the snake, lizard, whatever) to just let them release me of their own accord. It might take a few more minutes (then again, it might not), but no broken teeth or any other injuries.
 
hhmoore said:
and just what did you use to PRY her mouth off you??
I, personally, find it much easier (on me and the snake, lizard, whatever) to just let them release me of their own accord. It might take a few more minutes (then again, it might not), but no broken teeth or any other injuries.
I sorta pushed my hand in her mouth further to try and unhook the teeth. I guess I didn't actually "pry" her off. I sort of let her know that I was not food and my arm wasn't going to go down in her stomach. I'll get bite pics of it when I get my camera replaced tonight. I strongly believe a large boa bite could easily rip open some sort of major vein
 
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