care guide

www.reptilecentre.com/info-boa-care-sheet

Housing

Common boa constrictors do best with a large terrestrial vivarium for their enclosure. This is because wood is an excellent insulator of heat and so a wooden vivarium will make it easier to control the crucial temperatures required inside the habitat. The wooden vivarium should have good ventilation to allow air to flow in and out of the enclosure.

As a juvenile the boa will thrive in enclosure around 3ft in length and 2ft in depth and hieght. As the boa grows this enclosure will need to be upgraded to a 4ft wooden enclosure. Large females may require a 5 or 6ft enclosure when fully grown.

Heating

Common boas require a day-time temperature of 86F with a basking spot of around 88F-93F. The best way to achieve this is to use a ceramic heat emitter on one side of the enclosure being controlled by either a pulse proportional thermostat. This will keep temperatures steady throughout the day and night whilst also creating a slight temperature gradient in the enclosure. A basking light can also be used but is not necessary, if one is introduced the temperature should not exceed 90F and the basking light should only be on for 10-12 consecutive hours per day. All basking lights and ceramic heat bulbs must be guarded to ensure the snake cannot come into contact with the bulb.

If a ceramic is being used as the sole heat source it is advisable to use LED lights to light the enclosure for 10-12 consecutive hours per day. This provides the boa with a good day/night cycle.

Temperatures should be monitored daily using a thermometer.Diet

A boa constrictor's diet consists of frozen thawed rats, mice and rabbits. When young the boa will be eating frozen mice roughly once a week. 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. When fully grown the snake only needs to be fed a large meal once every 2-3 weeks.

Water should aways be available for both drinking and bathing. We advise providing a bowl large enough for the snake to submerge itself inside on the cool end of the vivarium. Water should be changed daily to ensure it remains fresh.

Notes

Common boa constrictors are a great pet for intermediate reptile owners. They are a very curious and generally docile snakes making them great for both display and handling.

Of the large bodied snakes common boas are one of the more interesting species. Their facial structure with the heat pits coupled with their large body and reach makes them a very impressive snake.

Give a common boa the right setup and diet and you're guaranteed to have a great pet.