Messages in Breathing Patterns.

[Psidewindr]

I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on what boa constrictors on communicating in their various breathing patterns. I notice my Hog Island BC sometimes takes long, deep breaths which are barely perceptible to my eye. And sometimes he takes really fast and shallow breaths.

I imagined it might have something to do with stress level, but I cannot identify any obvious stressors to account for the switch. I know they are far more sensitive than we are, but just thought it was an interesting conversation starter.

Does anyone have knowledge about this?

Thanks

[TRD]

Snakes have different states and can be pretty much dormant if they wish to. They can breathe as slow as a breath every 2 minutes, probably some will even be slower. When exited their breathing picks up to normal perceivable rates and some snakes will growl, hiss, puff, or whatever as a warning sign. When stressed their breathing rate will obviously go up as adrenaline is released in their body, just like we do. I'm not sure of rapid breathing patterns is something BC do as I do not keep/have kept that species.