Are you wondering if your boa constrictor makes any sounds?
Have you noticed your boa constrictor making weird noises?
If you have heard your regularly quiet boa constrictor making squeaking sounds you might wonder:
What does it mean if a boa constrictor makes a squeaking sound?
Sometimes your boa might make squeaking sounds when they are stressed or about to shed. Squeaks might also indicate a health issue, and a trip to the vet is in order.
Squeaking sounds are not uncommon, but they might surprise you when they come from a usually quiet boa.
Continue reading for more on what squeaking sounds and other noises for your boa might mean.
What Does It Mean If A Boa Constrictor Makes A Squeaking Sound?
It isn’t every day you will hear a squeaking sound coming from your mostly quiet boa constrictor, and when it does happen, it is likely to take you by surprise.
But if it isn’t a common occurrence, is it a bad thing, or what could it mean?
Some owners have noticed these squeaking sounds are an exciting quirk their snake makes when they are nervous, from being handled or especially when they are getting ready to shed.
More commonly, the sound comes after the shed when a piece of skin gets lodged in the boa constrictor’s nostrils.
As they get it out of their nostril, a small squeak or popping sound is emitted from the boa.
Other things like a piece of bedding or dust stuck in their nostril could also cause the squeaking sound to come from your boa constrictor.
But if you hear the sound, it is important to keep a close eye on your pet.
Strange sounds coming from your boa might be an indication something more significant is wrong.
If the squeak is accompanied by loud breathing or wheezing, your boa likely has a respiratory infection.
Respiratory infections will also often cause the snake to produce stringy saliva.
Also, you might notice a lack of appetite and lethargy in your snake.
When you suspect a respiratory infection is a culprit, check the humidity and temperature levels in your boas tank.
If they need to be adjusted to be on the right levels, do so.
Remember, your boa constrictor’s tank’s warm side should be about 85° degrees Fahrenheit (29° C) with a 90° degrees Fahrenheit (32° C) hot spot for basking.
The cooler end in the tank should be in the rand of 75° to 80° degrees Fahrenheit (24° – 27° C).
The tank’s temperature should not drop below 75° degrees Fahrenheit (24° C), or you will run the risk of harming your snake.
Respiratory infections are caused by the tank’s temperature being too cold, incorrect humidity levels, poor hygiene, or mouth rot.
The next step will be to contact a reputable veterinarian who specializes in working with reptiles.
They will be able to diagnose the animal accurately and prescribe an antibiotic to combat the infection.
Never be afraid to contact your vet if you aren’t sure if there is a problem.
What Sounds Do Boas Make?
Boa constrictors do have some sounds they may make regularly.
A hiss from a boa constrictor is something you might hear if it is looking to intimidate or scare something or someone away.
It is a defense mechanism.
Hissing is not something these animals will be doing to communicate with another snake.
Boas, like most snakes, are not social creatures and only get together with other members of their species when they are breeding.
Besides not being social, boas have a limited hearing when it comes to airborne sounds.
Instead, hissing is their instinct when they are feeling defensive.
Or another reason your boa might hiss at you is when they are feeling annoyed.
You might catch them hissing at you if they don’t want to be picked up or messed with.
If you do hear your snake hissing at you, be cautious and read the signals they are giving you.
Messing with your snake when they aren’t in the mood may result in stress for them.
Snakes, like the boa constrictor, can make this hissing noise by forcibly expelling air from the glottis, an organ located in their throat.
When the air is forcibly expelled, structures inside the glottis rattle around, and a hiss is created.
Other Boa Constrictor Defense Mechanisms
In the wild, boas run the risk of being some other animal’s next meal.
They face danger all over the place and are targets for birds, especially eagles, bigger mammals, other reptiles, and even humans.
This constant fear causes them to be in defense mode continually, and the moment they feel at risk, they will do what they must to protect themselves.
Besides hissing, a few other defense mechanisms a boa constrictor will employ to stay alive and even fight back if they have to.
Probably, their top defense mechanism is their skin colorations.
These patterns and colors allow them to blend right in with their surroundings and help them to stay hidden from the predators around them.
Once they have been spotted, they go for making the hissing noise we discussed above.
If hissing doesn’t work, they still have another trick to escape.
If all else fails, the boa constrictor will bite whatever they are afraid of.
This biting option doesn’t just apply to predators in the wild.
Pet boas that are agitated or feeling threatened will often bite their owners as well.
Many owners will use gloves when handling their pets, especially boas, which are not very tame yet.
Remember, these bites are not venomous but need to be thoroughly cleaned after the animal has been removed and placed back in the cage.
Conclusion
A squeaking noise could be a simple catch in their nostrils, or it could be a sign of something more.
These creatures are mostly quiet, but like most animals, they will make some noises on occasion.
We hope you now have a better understanding of what the squeaking sound your boa constrictor is making might mean after reading this article.
