Scientific Name: boa constrictor imperator
Common Name: Colombian Boa Constrictor, Red Tail Boa, Boa. BCI
Distribution: Mexico, Central and South America and surrounding Islands
Size: Males 5-7 feet Females 6-8 feet
Boa constrictor imperator (BCI) inhabits a very large and varied habitat from the desert of Mexico to the rainforest of South America. BCI has the largest geographical distribution of all the boas. This is why boas are a hardy snake for captivity. This may also be why BCI has more color and pattern morphs than any other boa. BCI is the most popular large snake to keep as a pet. Buy only captive born boas. Boas are large and calm snakes to keep
Cage Environment:
Cage size for a newborn should be small to make your boa feel secure and not stressed. A newborn boa recommended cage size would be 6”x 12”x 6” tall, if cage is larger you must provide a hide spot. Juveniles may be moved to a larger more display like cage. Adult boa recommended cage size 4 foot x 2 ½ foot x 1 foot tall. Cage! Not an Aquarium!!
In captivity a Boa must be kept in an Escape proof cage. This cage must be heated 24- hours a day for your boa to thermo regulate properly. Cage environment should include a hot spot of 90-95 degrees F. and a cooler area of 80-85 degrees F. This temperature gradient will aid in digesting food and good shed cycles. Do not guess at the temps. Buy a good thermometer with a probe to check temps. Radio Shack sells one for $5-$10 and will last forever. Infrared temperature gun with laser is best $10-$20. But a good investment.
Provide your Boa with a large water bowl with fresh water daily. Make sure it has a square bottom to prevent tipping the water over. Soggy substrate can cause health problems. Newspaper or shredded Aspen may be used as substrate. Do NOT use cedar or pine as they cause health problems. Spot clean cage daily and sanitized weekly.
Feeding:
Boas feed on only rodents. They will eat mice for first 6 months to almost a year old. Yearlings will eat weaned rats. I always make sure that the rodents are feed a top quality rodent diet. Newborn boas are fed fuzzy-pup sized mouse every 7 days. Yearlings will eat weaned rats every 7 days. This is essential that they be fed every week. Prey should leave a small lump that you can barely notice.
Recommended reading:
Boas in Captivity by Vincent Russo ISBN: 0978897919 published 2007
Professional Breeders Series® from ECO Herpetological Publishing & Distribution
The Boa Constrictor Manual by: Philippe de Vosjoli, Roger Klingenberg,DVM, Jeff Ronnie, ISBN: 1-882770-47-2 published 1998 Advanced Vivarium Systems
Other sources: www.Kingsnake.com www.nebherp.org www.usark.org
Any questions: Glenn & Kim Eisel 402-210-7485 or EiselReptiles@gmail.com
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