The boa constrictor is a large, docile snake that can make an excellent pet. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. I got a few request at this point to run through basic care requirements to keep a pet boa constrictor. Find out all you need to know on caring for these snakes in this care article. It is this fascination with them that has led to this care guide and my entire website. Care sheet common boa constrictordownload as pdf 186kb latin name. Some breeders keep the snakes at their preferred daytime high temperature, but drop the nighttime low to 2124c 7075f. Female colombian boa constrictors may reach 10 feet in length but the average adult size for females is usually 6 to 8 feet. Instead of injecting poison into its prey, it strikes, grabs and squeezes until the prey is subdued. It is rare for common boas to reach over 9ft but it has been documented that some have reached around 1012 ft.
A boa constrictor s diet consists of frozen thawed rats, mice and rabbits. Dum, jeff ronne reproductive husbandry of pythons and boas by richard ross and gerald marzec. Illegal activity involving owners of constrictor snakes. The red tailed boa is dimorphic the males tail is longer because of the space taken up the hemipenes. I hope this is helpful to anyone who is deciding to get a boa anytime soon. Adult boa constrictors commonly reach lengths of 6 to feet. Remember, as the owner of a snake, you are the primary caregiver. Boa constrictors do not have fangs, but their jaws. Boa constrictors wear some of the most distinctive markings of all reptiles.
Theres also less natural humidity in the winter, at least in most regions. Obviously the other advantage the hog island boa has over the larger commons is that being smaller, they require less space, allowing for a smaller enclosure. The boa constrictor is named for its mode of predation. As its name suggests, the boa constrictor is a nonvenomous constrictor snake found in north, central and south america. Boa and python includes central american boas and carpet pythons. A chunky constrictor variable in colour, usually with tan or brown saddles on the body and often with an orange or red tail. Dec 16, 2019 once these care conditions have been achieved, rainbow boas can live long and healthy lives, with many specimens allegedly living to 20 years or more. Jan 10, 2018 basic boa constrictor care requirement for a pet boa. Simple script which generates book agenda file pdf. The boa constrictor is a member of the family boidae, found in tropical north, central, and south america, as well as some islands in the caribbean. The options for housing are far too many to be covered in a care sheet. Boa constrictor boa constrictor imperator care sheet. Boa constrictor keepers should all own this text imho.
Care sheet for the kenyan sand boa eryx colubrinus. Common boa constrictors, information and care vida. Proper temperature is extremely important with this species. Before you decide whether youd like to care for an exotic. Boa constrictors are able to adjust their hunting behaviors according to the density of possible prey items in their habitat. Dec 04, 2015 i hope this is helpful to anyone who is deciding to get a boa anytime soon. The common boa makes a great introduction to keeping larger species of snake. Boa constrictor constrictor colombian or common boa scientific name. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading boa constrictors as pets. This page covers the boa constrictor morphs that we are currently aware of. The temperature is gradually decreased to 21 24c 7075f. Depending on the habitat they are trying to blend into, their bodies can be tan, green, red, or yellow, and display. When feeding frozen prey, be sure the prey is thawed.
The kenyan sand boa has a dedicated and growing following due to its manageable size, passive personality and simple captive care requirements. May 11, 2016 this hog island boa care sheet sets out the basics for you. Your boa constrictor s size will depend on how long it lives, and how well you take care of it. Once the prey is dead, the snake swallows it whole. Authorities have confiscated constrictor snakes, along with other.
Boa constrictor care chicago exotics animal hospital. Exotic pet advice and care sheets for reptiles rspca. Pictured above is a brazilian rainbow boa having difficulty shedding. The smallest vivarium we would recommend for one small adult boa would be 4x 18x 18. Boa constrictor by shel silverstein oh, im being eaten by a boa constrictor a boa constrictor a boa constrictor im being eaten by a boa constrictor and i dont like it one bit. In this rainbow boa care sheet well look at what makes brazilian rainbow boa care different to other snakes, and the best ways to achieve these unusual conditions in the home. Often marketed as lowmaintenance pets, constrictor snakes in fact require specialized and complex care. Hogg island boa boa constrictor imperator average size average lifespan diet feeding housing 3 6 feet long 20 30 years hogg island boas are strict carnivores. Common boa constrictors, information and care vida preciosa. Boa breeders begin cycling in either november of december.
There are documented cases of captive boas living longer than. Boa constrictor, boa constrictor, large thickbodied snake of the boa family, boidae. Boa constructor pdf python boa constructor tutorial anacondas belong the boa family and are found south america and the amazon basin. Once these care conditions have been achieved, rainbow boas can live long and healthy lives, with many specimens allegedly living to 20 years or more. If a boa constrictor becomes to cool for an extended period, they will quickly develop respiratory infections. There are documented cases of captive boas living longer. The snakes adult length is typically about 10 feet 3 metres, though individuals of more. Allowing the snake as much room as you can physically and financially afford is ideal, but an enclosure that is a minimum of four to six feet in length, or twothirds the length of the snake, is necessary for an adult common boa.
It is possible to utilize a combination of these two. Hand misters are usually sufficient but if you dont care to remember to mist, an automatic mister like the exo terra monsoon or the zoo med fogger are nice options. Click the button below to add the complete boa constrictor. Please conduct further research if keeping other subspecies. If you need additional information, refer to the sources section or contact your veterinarian as appropriate. The boa constrictor boa constrictor, also called the redtailed boa or the common boa, is a species of large, nonvenomous, heavybodied snake that is frequently kept and bred in captivity. In fact many common boa constrictors do have a red tail, distinctly different in color than the rest of the body. A staple of private collections and public displays, its.
Some of the most common questions surrounding boa constrictor care have to do with feeding. Generally common boas reach between 59 ft, with females being typically larger than males. The old rule of thumb, length of vivarium plus depth of vivarium equals length of snake shows a three foot. The following boa care information is intended to be a general, down to earth approach to the things we need to know to properly maintain our boa constrictors. Though it thrives in tropical rainforests, it also inhabits savannas, cane fields, and semiarid scrublands. This list will continue to expand as new morphs are created and submitted to us. The colombian boa constrictor is the most widely kept boa constrictor in the pet industry there are nine accepted subspecies of boa. Boa constrictor imperator care sheet the tyedyed iguana. In return it will gives hours of relaxation and pleasure as well as being a fascinating and exotic creature in your home. There are two subspecies of boa constrictor that are readily available in the pet trade today. It is a heavybodied snake that is commonly found in captivity. Python and boa constrictor care sheet all snakes are coldblooded and require external sources of heat to maintain their body temperature at a healthy status.
So this is a time when your boa constrictor habitat may need extra attention. The text is well organized and exceptionally informativecant think of a topic that is not covered. Boa constrictor care, behavior, enclosures, interaction, feeding, health and myths all included. Please keep in mind that this care sheet is for boa constrictor imperator. A 34yearold man was strangled to death by his 9foot, 25pound pet redtailed boa constrictor while showing the animal to a friend. Boa constructor cross platform python ide and wxpython gui builder. The kenyan sand boa is also referred to as the east african sand. Hog island boa care sheet angell pets the friendliest pet. Boa constrictor boa constrictor average size average lifespan diet feeding housing 8 10 feet long 20 30 years boa constrictors are strict carnivores. Arid environments if you live in an arid environment, such as arizona, you will probably have to do something to increase the humidity in your boa s cage. In their natural environment, most types of constrictors bask in the sun on rocks or tree branches to absorb the suns rays. Boa constrictor by shel silverstein oh, im being eaten. Breeders use rack systems with molded abs plastic drawers to house large collections, whereas pet keepers will find an increasing variety of.
Temperature boa constrictors require a basking spot of 90 95f. The red tailed boa has a tan or brown body with darker brown or black spots. Exotic pet species, like reptiles and other wild animals in captivity, have the same needs as they would in the wild. Reptile breeding facility based in south west scotland, specialising in keeping and captive breeding some of the finest examples of boas and pythons. Our mission is to provide our customers with high quality reptiles through selective breeding, ensuring they are fed and conditioned in the best possible way. Carpet pythons get their name due to their dazzling array of colors and patterns that mimic woven rugs found in the middle east. Commonlykept reptiles include bearded dragons, corn snakes, royal pythons and leopard geckos. Firefighters already risk their lives, but face added and unnecessary risks when a fire breaks out at a home harboring deadly predators.
Guide to caring for boa constrictors general information boa constrictors are beautifully marked, moderately arboreal snakes. A complete boa constrictor care guide snakes for pets. Whilst large, they are generally very calm in temperament and are easy to care for and handle as well as being quite beautiful. Humidity in your boa constrictor habitat reptile knowledge. Home forums reptile care sheets snake care sheets boa constrictor. This care sheet applies specifically to the colombian boa constrictor, but can be applied to all localities and subspecies of boa constrictor. Care sheets common boa common boa boa constrictor imperator area of origin.
Boa constrictor size female colombian boa constrictors may reach 10 feet in length but the average adult size for females is usually 6 to 8 feet. The information on this care sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. Nov, 2015 boa constrictors have small, hooked teeth that they use to grab and hold prey. If their teeth fall out or become damaged, they can regrow them. You will often see what looks like the stripe on the side of the head continue through the eyes. Humidity is also important to enable normal ecdysis shedding and respiratory function. I would argue it is also the area where most mistakes are made. I hope you found this boa constrictor care sheet helpful, and i wish you well in caring for your boa.
Boa constrictors, burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, african rock pythons, and. Feeding do not handle your boa constrictor for several hours before you are going to feed it. Common boa care sheets blue lizard reptiles reptile shop. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. This 68 page product contains 10 rainforestthemed nonfiction close reading passages with evidencebased questioning sheets to go with. The boa constrictor manual advanced vivarium systems does not disappoint. Boa constrictor eyes are generally colored to match the color and pattern of the head.
Your snake relies on your for its health, and its your duty to provide for it. Use the shel silverstein poem, boa constrictor, in this activity to encourage students to listen and improvise through movement what is happening in this hilarious poem. Hide boxes that contain moistened sphagnum moss are an excellent way to provide an area of locally increased humidity. If you prioritize reptile health and wellness, quality husbandry, and using proper snake supplies, this could be the snake for you. Its range is wide, from argentina to northern mexico. Boa constrictor imperators are from columbia and parts of central america. If you maintain a humidity level of 6070%, your boa will be able to shed properly. Even once they reach adulthood, your boa constrictor will continue to grow for the rest of its life. If you find that a current boa morph is not listed, please contact us. The ultimate boa constrictor care manual a boa constrictor s basic anatomy lets take a look at the anatomy of a boa constrictor.
In this must have book, the author takes us into the tropical world of the boa constrictor in all of its forms and geographic races. Boa constrictor life span boas are very longlived reptiles. The common boa boa constrictor imperator has an extensive distribution in nature and many geographic names have come to be used to refer to this subspecies, including. Boa constrictor imperator this snake is mistakenly referred to as the redtail boa, heck, every boa i hold at shows people call a redtail boa, even my pythons. Let me know if you guys have any questions regarding zekes current setup or his planned future enclosure. Central american boas require a large area and need consistent interaction with humans to remain tame. Whilst large, they are generally very calm in temperament and are easy to care. Commonlykept reptiles include bearded dragons, corn snakes, royal pythons and leopard geckos before you decide whether youd like to care for an exotic pet, make sure youve done plenty of research. It is rare for common boas to reach over 9ft but it has been documented that some have reached around 10.
Boa imperator is part of the family boidae and is found in mexico, central america and south america west of the andes mountains primarily colombia. A healthy boa constrictor can easily live 2530 years and should be considered a long term commitment and bought with this in mind. Feeding your boa more often will cause it to grow larger. When young the boa will be eating frozen mice roughly once a week. So their environmental, dietary and behavioural needs can be challenging. Consult your veterinarian, clean the habitat and lower humidity. The females will grow quickly to about 912 feet and the males get to be around 810 feet. The size of the prey increases as the snake gets bigger moving from small mice up through xl mice to rats and eventually a small rabbit. Boa imperator is a large, heavybodied, nonvenomous species of snake, of the boa genus, that is commonly kept in captivity. The red tailed boa is a moderately sized snake ranging from 3 to 14 feet and weighing usually up to 33 pounds. Chlorinefree water should be provided in a large shallow bowl big enough for the snake to soak in.