I have been nailed by a 9' female. I have also been bitten many times by everything between 1' and 7'. Every time I have been bitten, it has been my fault. If you get a boa from his/her enclosure properly, and they realize they are being held, it is very rare that you will be bitten. There is a just plain nasty boa or two floating around, but boas are not mean snakes. If you reach in and startle a snake, you may get bitten. If your hands smell like mice, you may get bitten. If you reach for that is not completely docile, touch it, draw your hand back, and then reach in again (you boa people know what I mean), you will get bitten. It is usually best to reach in, let the snake know you are there, and pick him/her up. Don't reach right for their head when taking them out. Reach in half way down their body or more, and gently take them from their cage. Always support their weight. Once youy have more experience, you will learn how to handle your snakes. If you have a female that is agressive at times, work with her, or leave her alone. Just like people, sometimes snakes get grumpy. You have to understand this. If you respect the snake, the snake will respect you. If you are constantly in fear of being bitten, you will not truly enjoy your animals and they will not respond as well to you as someone who is comfortable with them. It takes time. If you want someone to tell you that you will never be bitten, they will be telling a lie. You may never get bitten, you will be the first. Just kidding. There may be someone else, but it is not me. I hope this helps.

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