Boa Constrictor Care Sheet
- Common Name
- Boa Constrictor
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- Scientific name
- Boa constrictor
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- Native to
- Mexico through South America, including the surrounding islands
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- Size
- This is a large snake, reaching lengths of 8 to 12 feet and weighing up to 30 to 60 pounds. Females tend to be larger than males.
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- Life span
- If properly cared for these snakes usually live 20 to 30 years.
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- General appearance
- Due to the vast variety of subspecies and different genetic morphs, exact
description is difficult. Generally boas exhibit saddle like patterns running the length of the body to a red tail. Colouration can vary from greys to browns with younger snakes being lighter in colour than adults.
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- Enclosure
- Hatchlings can be housed in a 20 gallon aquarium, but they will soon out grow this
enclosure. Usually only custom built vivariums are the only suitable enclosures for adult
specimens. Vivariums should at a minimum be 8 feet long by 2 to 3 feet wide by 4 feet tall.
When constructing vivs it is important to not use unfinished wood or other porous
materials since these are difficult to clean and can harbour disease.
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- Heating and Lighting
- Boas do well with a 12 hour photoperiod. This may need to be adjusted if you wish
to breed. UV light is not necessarily needed. Ambient cage temperatures and basking
spots can be maintained with the use of heat mats, basking bulbs, or ceramic
emitters. Be careful to not use large wattage bulbs greater than 100 watts or hot rocks
because these may cause burns to the boa. Any heat source needs to be controlled by a suitable thermostat. Daytime temperatures should be 80º to 85º F with a basking temperature of 95º F.
Night time temperatures should be 75º to 80º F.
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- Substrate
- Newspaper, indoor/outdoor carpeting, and shavings can all be used. Cedar and pine is not to be used because it is toxic to animals. Aspen shavings can provide and excellent substrate. If
using shavings or mulch, it is not recommended to feed on the substrate since ingestion of
the shavings could cause impaction.
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- Environment
- Hide boxes, and branches and shelves for climbing should be provided for climbing
and basking. A large water dish suitable for soaking should also be provided with fresh
water daily.
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- Diet
- Appropriate sized small mammals should be offered. Young snakes may be offered fuzzy mice, while large adults may be fed 3 adult rats or a small rabbit once every 2 to 3 weeks. Younger snakes should be offered food weekly to encourage proper growth.
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- Maintenance
- The enclosure should be spot checked for feces daily. It is recommended to change the
substrate and disinfect the enclosure with a 5% bleach solution on a regular basis. Be sure to rinse the enclosure thoroughly after cleaning with the bleach solution. Commercial cleansers are not recommended because they may leave a residue that is toxic to the boa. It is
always recommended to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the snake or cleaning the cage
and cage accessories.
Information provided by WNYHS
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