Large boa and python species, often collectively referred to as “large constrictors” or “large boids” are animals that many reptile hobbyists and enthusiasts find to be beautiful, awe inspiring, and fascinating animals. However, these species can also be potentially dangerous to both their keeper and those in the immediate vicinity under the correct circumstances. However, before we can discuss the topic further, we must further define what a “large constrictor” is. Many individuals would, as a general rule, define such as any species which reaches or exceeds eight feet. There are seven known species, however, which have been documented, or have the potential, to cause significant injury and even fatalities to their keepers due to inexperienced or improper handling and/or husbandry practices. All of these species have the potential to reach or exceed the “eight foot threshold” and can range anywhere from 10 to 20 feet as adults, sometimes achieving even greater lengths depending on species, locality, resource/food availability, and sex of the animal.
These species include:
Indian Python (Python molurus)
Burmese Python (Python bivittatus)
South African Rock Python (Python natalensis)
North African Rock Python (Python sebae)
Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
Amethystine Python (Morelia amethistina)
Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus)
The Boa constrictor (Boa constrictor ssp.) is typically not typically considered in the above list although one confirmed accidental fatality associated with a Boa constrictor has been documented recently of a Nebraska man in June 2010.

Are Giant Snakes Really Man Eaters?

Perhaps the first question to be addressed is, can or do these animals actually view us humans as a natural, staple food source? Despite what many Hollywood movies such as “Anaconda” and other heavily sensationalized and irresponsible media generated hysteria would have the public believe, large constrictors are for the most part reclusive and secretive animals when it comes to humans. Only over the course of the last several centuries, have a small number of accounts existed of several of these species being implicated in unprovoked attacks on individuals in their native range. In general, these species tend to largely be sedentary and cryptic ambush predators as opposed to actively foraging or seeking prey out. They are not unknown to ambush animals such as deer, gazelles, pigs, goats, and similar sized mammals. Therefore it is entirely reasonable to believe that most, if not all, of these instances were the result of mistaken identity on the snake’s part.

But the question remains, can or do these snakes actually swallow humans? There are no doubt several claims of giant snakes being discovered having to have appeared to or been believed to have swallowed a person. No doubt, these claims are widely circulated through the Internet and other media. More often than not, however, these tall tales tend to be either hoaxes generated for publicity, or cases where the animal has swallowed a medium to large non human animal. To my knowledge, only one such “legitimate” predation attempt has occurred involving a reticulated python in S.E Asia, which unsuccessfully attempted to swallow a medium sized human. Simply put, the snake was unable to work its jaws around the woman’s shoulders, which are the widest point on the human body. A large snake has the potential to swallow a smaller person; however, to the knowledge of myself and many others, this has never occurred.

But How Dangerous are these Snakes in Captivity?

As with nearly every species of both wild and domesticated medium sized to large animals we choose to keep in captivity, there exists some element of voluntarily accepted level of occupational risk. Driving automobiles, and even walking across the street among many other activities that we participate in daily or routinely voluntarily can also carry the risk or potential of death or injury. These species of snakes can be or become potentially dangerous if maintained, housed, or handled improperly. Over the last decade or so, there have been several escape incidents and even fatalities in the United States where a large constrictor species was involved. Although statistics show that incidents with captive reptiles are extremely rare compared to other causes of death and injury, they nevertheless almost always fuel highly publicized, and often sensationalist news media reports which portray the entire herpetocultural and exotic animal hobby and industry in a negative light to the general public and to local, state, and federal legislators. As such, incidents involving a large constrictor or other reptile also almost always spur on the initiation of local and state prohibitions or restrictions on the keeping of such species, as well as many other species of reptiles. Both of these factors inevitably make the legitimate and responsible keeping of these animals more difficult.

As stated previously, domesticated species such as dogs, horses, and cattle contribute to a far greater number of injuries and fatalities on an annual basis than reptiles. However, we typically do not see nearly as much media attention or calls to ban dog ownership collectively as a species. The sad fact of the matter is that reptiles, and especially large snakes, have and continue to bear a far more significant brunt of cultural bias and irrational fears than do domestic dogs or other domestic animals. These aforementioned animals typically hold greater public sympathy simply due to “warm cute and fuzzy factor” that reptiles lack.

As with the historical accounts of these animals supposedly predating upon humans in their native ranges, the large majority of these incidents and accidents can be attributed to cases of mistaken identity (see suggested protocol # 4 below) and human error on the part of the keeper. To both my, and many other’s knowledge, no “legitimate” predation attempt has occurred with these animals in captivity, nor has anyone ever actually been swallowed or consumed by their captive pet snake. Certainly though the vast majority of boa and python species kept and bred in captivity do not attain sufficient sizes to be considered any significant threat to human life or limb. Such examples include the commonly bred ball python, blood python, carpet pythons, and Australian Antaresia species, which seldom exceed three or four feet.

Suggested Large Constrictor Snake Protocols to Follow

If one chooses to keep or work with any large constrictor species in captivity, it is therefore IMPORTANT for them to adhere to several safety husbandry protocols. Unfortunately, many owners of these species become or have become far too complacent when handling and/or working with these animals. One day the results could prove devastating. Although these animals often appear to exhibit docility and tolerance to handling, a prospective keeper should always be aware of the snake’s capabilities and the fact that these animals remain “undomesticated”. With this said, let us review several of the safety facets involved with keeping, and handling large constrictors.

1. A large constrictor species should ALWAYS be kept in a secure and appropriately designed enclosure as to prevent its escape. Reports of “pet snake escapes and appears in the neighbor’s toilet” almost always fuel negative media coverage of the herpetocultural hobby and additional restrictive laws against the keeping of reptiles. Housing for a large constrictor should be absolutely escape proof and be lockable in order to prevent both the escape of the inhabitant as well as unauthorized entry into the enclosure by inexperienced individuals. This goes for whichever enclosure you use for temporarily transporting the snake from place to place. Under no circumstances should a large constrictor species be permitted to have “free roam” of any area outside its enclosure unsupervised by qualified individuals. Once again, irresponsibility damages the entire hobby.

2. A large constrictor, of any species 8 feet or greater, should never be handled or worked with alone. This includes even seemingly simple tasks such as changing a water bowl. Or, at the least, another capable individual should be within shouting distance if a situation arises or if assistance is needed. In some cases, depending on the snake’s size, two or even three other individuals are needed. Minors and children certainly should not be permitted to keep or interact with a large constrictor without capable supervision.

3. Under no circumstances should a large constrictor be permitted to coil or be placed around the upper torso or neck. This creates an especially dangerous situation, particularly if there is no one to assist you. These animals are extremely powerful; large constrictors have been known to inadvertently kill their owners by merely “hanging on” to prevent falling.

4. Feeding time is another potentially dangerous situation when working with or keeping large constrictors. Large constrictor species rely largely on their olfactory system and/or heat sensitive pits located on the upper jaw/lip to detect warm blood endothermic prey. However, many such incidents and accidents involving a large snake occur when the snake detects the scent of its usual rodent (or lagomorph) prey on the keeper. It is therefore important to not allow the scent of the prey to come in contact with you and to NOT feed by hand.

5. A large constrictor should not be exposed to the general public outside proper and designated events or locations for such reptiles (such as reptile shows or pet stores). Should a member of the public be injured as a result, the onset of negative consequences for the herpetocultural hobby can be guaranteed. Large constrictors on display at the designated locations should ideally be kept in secure escape proof enclosures that again prevent unauthorized access.

6. Reptile show vendors and herpetoculturists offering these species of snakes for sale need to exercise their best possible judgement when engaging in sales or transactions involving these snakes. Such measures can include, but are not limited to asking buyers questions prior to purchase, providing readily accessable publications and/or care sheets for such species, and providing both hatchling/neonates and adult animals for comparison purposes. Vendors and herpetoculturists must question whether any short term profits made from their transactions outweights the importance of the continued existance of the hobby/industry itself. All buyers and purchasers of large constrictors must as also ultimately exercise responsibility, competence, and sound judgement prior to, and during transactions of these animals. All impulse, or otherwise uninformed purchases should be discouraged by both parties.

In general, it should be said that a prospective owner of any animal should be prepared and able to house and maintain the said species. This is especially critical for a potentially dangerous animal whether it be a large constrictor or a medium to large sized dog. The results or consequences of not doing so can not only lead to tragedy, injury, or an accident, but the compromised health and well being of the animal AND negatively impact the herpetocultural hobby and profession as a whole.

In a day and age when sensationalized television and media seem to be the norm and mainstay, the last thing the herp hobby and industry should provide, is further broadcast material for exploitative shows such as Animal Planet “Fatal Attractions”, the U.S Humane Society, and other entities intent on casting a negative light on the practice of keeping and propagating reptiles. With that said however, large constrictors CAN and do make for interesting and rewarding animals to keep when in the appropriate circumstances for keepers, and herpetoculturists qualified to do so and who possess the adequate amount of space, facilities, and proper knowledge to keep these wondrous animals.