Vocalization?

[REM955]

Still a newbie in my research, there are many things that I still learn about snakes. One comes from a Youtube video involving "vocalization". It displays a boa constrictor ocidentalis (said the description) making what sounds like a raspy, crackly hiss. Here's the link.
https://youtu.be/UxWCtIsa6nA
Is this something all snakes do?

[EL Ziggy]

I don't think all snakes do it but lots do. You should hear a bull snake hiss. It can be a little intimidating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huZhlk4DRmw

[Albert Clark]

Wow, clearly the woman is aggravating the snake to no end. Of course snakes will hiss to show their displeasure at times but this was overkill. The animal was obviously in shed and had retained shed that appeared to include the eyecaps. Another reason to leave the animal alone. To continue to needle the animal by repeated touching that he was not happy about is a recipe for disaster. And she is lucky the snake didn't turn the tables on her and just strike out. Very good example of what not to do when your snake hisses and says I don't feel good.

[Minkness]

Interesting. My BP hisses at me any time I go to pick him up from his tub, but once out, he's fine.

Also...the kid in the one with the bull snake was annoying. Just sayin'.

[REM955]

So here is the next question because it seems I missed something:
Is this really different from hissing? From the comments it just appears that it is another sign to not bother the snake. And also not a sign of poor health.

[Minkness]

It might just be how that snake sounds when it hisses. My hognose sounds like he's sneezing, but my ball python has a more even, quieter hiss. Like people they have different 'voices' is my guess. Also, they look healthy to me and she isn't handling them exactly, so even if they are in shed, she's not really doing much. The one that's hissing might just be a jerk (like my ball python).

[prairiepanda]

Originally Posted by REM955

So here is the next question because it seems I missed something:
Is this really different from hissing? From the comments it just appears that it is another sign to not bother the snake. And also not a sign of poor health.

I'd consider that to be a hiss. Most snake vocalizations are some form of hissing. Some snake species can sort of "bark", though, and sometimes they can just huff instead of hissing. Generally any intentional noise from a snake means "leave me alone", though, regardless what the noise actually sounds like. The term "vocalization" is a broad term that includes any sound the animal might make, including hissing, so it doesn't necessarily mean that the sound isn't a hiss.

As Minkness noted, different snakes have their own unique voices. Some are very soft and quite, others are loud and roaring. They can be high pitched or low, and can have different rhythms of varying intensity.

[Pirarucu]

King Cobras can produce something that sounds more like a growl, but other than that and a few similar cases, snakes can only hiss.