Boas and pythons can easily swallow food items much larger than the size of their mouths. This is done by actually unlocking the jaws. Never allow a boa or python to wrap around a child's neck no matter how friendly or harmless it may seem. To calm a snake down give it gentle touches and stay calm. Burns can cause a snake great pains and may leave permanent scarring.
Stress is one of the major killers of reptiles.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Endangered Species, Atlanta, Georgia.