A lot of biting can be avoided if the babies are not picked up with the hand, but instead are lifted with a small hook (or bent piece of coat-hanger wire) and set in the hand.īoas undergo an ontogenetic color change as they mature. But when calmly and consistently handled, the youngsters grow to very docile and trusting adults. Occasional babies can be snappy, but they are small and the bites are harmless. Most common boas are very docile and reluctant to bite. Special considerations for hatchlings and juveniles: Incomplete sheds and adhered sheds are an indicator that the ambient humidity in the cage is too low and the careful keeper will "tweak" the system to increase the humidity. Typically, "stuck" pieces of shed will come off with the next shed.
#Enclosure for adult boa constrictor skin#
It's probably best to see that skin is not left on the face and eyes. Small patches of skin that remain adhered to the snake are not expected to have any deleterious effect and it is at the option of the keeper to arrange for the removal. When a snake incompletely sheds, and a portion of the skin is left adhered to the snake, the snake should be soaked in shallow water or slightly-soapy water for several hours, after which the skin typically comes off very easily. Shedding: Common boa constrictors generally have few problems shedding their skin. Do not handle them for two days after they have fed if possible. For their first meals, many newborns will begin feeding on one thawed large fuzzy mouse or pink rat once weekly. Snakes that are distended from too-large meals should not be handled. An "appropriate-sized" meal is one that makes just a slight lump inside the snake. Adults typically do not feed during the winter months. One appropriately-sized rodent per week is an adequate feeding schedule for young Boas with adults only requiring only one appropriately sized meal once every two weeks. Some specimens may eat the food item left in their cages, but some may prefer being offered food using forceps. This will allow the individual to thermoregulate, choosing the temperature that best suits at any given time.įeeding requirements: In captivity, young boas readily eat frozen/thawed mice or rats. It is good maintenance practice to provide a warmer-than ambient basking spot in the low to mid 90’s degrees F. Temperatures: As a general starting point, common boa constrictors seem to do best if kept in the low-to-mid-80s degrees F. Boas may sit in their water bowls if they are stressed or insecure in their cages (they are "hiding" in their water bowl,) or if they are plagued by an infestation of snake mites. Common boa constrictors are rarely observed to sit in their water bowls in conditions of normal health and security. Water: Clean water should be available in a glass or ceramic water bowl at all times.
When using newspaper as a cage substrate, it is a good maintenance practice, after papering the bottom, to crumple several pieces of newspaper in the cage, under which the snake can hide if desired. Both are easy to maintain at a satisfactory level of sanitation. Substrate: It has been our experience and observation that this species does extremely well on either aspen bedding or on newspaper. By four to six years of age, some adult females will require an enclosure with 10-12 square feet of floor space. Given space and lots of food, common boas grow very quickly to five and six feet in length, and then their rate of growth begins to slow.
Young adult boa constrictors should be given 2-4 square feet of floor space. Newborn boa constrictors can be housed in an enclosure with about 250 sq/cm of floor space until they are about six months of age. Vivariums or plastic storage boxes, can be satisfactorily used to maintain boa constrictors. Adult specimens generally average about 4½-8 feet in total length.Ĭage size: Common boa constrictors require a secure well-ventilated cage. Large specimens attain considerable bulk and may weigh 40-50 pounds. The head is very distinct from the neck the body is laterally compressed the tail is long and strongly prehensile. Size: This is a relatively slender elongate snake. 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 Mexican boa, Sonoran desert boa, Yucatan boa, Central American boa, El Salvador boa, Nicaraguan boa, Panamanian boa, Honduran boa, Hog Island boa, Corn Island boa, and Colombian boa. Common Boa (Boa Constrictor Imperator) Care Sheet.
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