boaconstrictors - Care Sheets Information about Colombian red-tail boa constrictor Snakes boaconstrictors ,characteristics and sexing, Description of Diet, Diet-Carnivorous,Supplements, Nutrition and Usage - calcium and vitamins, Lighting and UVB,Tempatures and Humidity,Caging, Substrate and Water Needs,Other boas, Maintenance boaconstrictors Information on Colombian red-tail boa constrictor Snakes info

Your Reptile and Amphibian Resource and Information Site

Home   Forums   Members Area   Care Sheets   Articles   Veterinarians   Photo Gallery   Todays Posts
Photo Server   Search   Your Messages   Polls   Archives   Rules   Register   Log In   Log Out   Webmaster
Classifieds   Adoptions   Look For Reptiles or Amphibians

Back to Care Sheet List

Colombian red-tail boa constrictor Care Sheets

Add Standard Care Sheet Add Alternative Care Sheet

Boa Constrictors Forums and Discussion

DISCLAIMER - PLEASE READ

More Boa Constrictors Care Sheets

Care Sheet for Boa Constrictors

Average Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 3.00 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 08/22/2006

Main Category:

Snakes

Sub Category:

Boa Constrictors

Care Sheet Submitted By:

Womble

Years Experience:

1 to 2 Years

Species:

Colombian red-tail boa constrictor

Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover:

Other boas

Sexing and Characteristics:

Ask a vet or a good reptile breeder to sex as you may hurt your snake

Mostly Active During:

Night

Substrate and Water Needs:

I use hemp for my snake although many people say that newspaper or kitchen towel is better. Hemp looks much nicer although if it gets too wet it will go moldy. Hemp is better for a vivarium that you want to look nice although newspaper or kitchen towel is probably better is you want something more practical.

Lighting and UVB:

I use a daylight lamp for mine in the winter and just put his vivarium in a light place for summer. They don’t need a lot of light although it looks nicer to have a vivarium that you can see into.

Temperatures and Humidity:

27ºC ish in the day and lower at night. Spray at least weekly with a plant sprayer and more often when the snake is moulting.

Heating and Equipment:

Ceramic lights are really good as they give off loads of heat but no light so they can be left on all the time and they won’t disturb anyone. I also use an under tank heat mat on a thermostat.

Caging Provided:

I use a vivarium that is 60 x 30 x 30 cm for my 1 1/2ft snake at the moment. He has a big branch diagonally across it with a branch directly below his ceramic lamp that he likes sitting on. He also appears to enjoy sitting in his plastic plant. There is a big curved log at the bottom that he can go on or under. DO NOT GIVE THEM DEEP SUBSTRATE or you will never see them! When we first got my snake he spent his whole time sitting at the bottom of his tank under all the hemp and we never saw him! He also has a big ’rock imitation’ water bowl that i have never seen him even go anywhere near it, let alone in it. It is good to provide one nonetheless though as apparently some sit in them.

Diet:

Carnivorous

Description of Diet:

Mine is being fed on mice although here is a table to show what you should be feeding them.
Size Amount to feed
From hatchling to 3 feet in length - One to two appropriate* sized mice every 5 to 7 days
From 3 to 6 feet in length - One to two appropriate sized rats every 5 to 7 days
From 6 feet up in length - One to two rabbits every 10 to 14 days
I dread having to feed rabbits to mine when it gets bigger as i love rabbits when they are alive. If anyone has any suggestions of what else i can feed it in place of rabbits i would be grateful if they could write them in the comments box. PLEASE NOTE IF YOU LIVE IN THE UK (like me) IT IS ILLEGAL TO FEED LIVE MAMMALS TO ANY OTHER LIVING CREATURE. Although it is best to feed ALL snakes dead food as they both harm each other if they are both alive. It is also very distressing for the mammal if it is in an enclosed space with a large snake and can’t run. Never feed your snake any prey that is wider than the widest part of its girth as they will regurgitate it and seeing a half digested prey item on the vivarium floor is not pleasant, trust me.

Supplements, Nutrition and Usage:

I don’t use any and i don’t think it really makes a difference. Ask a specialist.

Maintenance:

N/A

Some Words on this Species:

Never buy a wild caught animal unless there is a very good reason too as they are not as friendly as captive bred animals and you are not helping it at all by sticking it in a tiny cage (compared to what it is used to) and expecting it to eat dead rats. Captive bred snakes can have lovely temperaments and all my friends (I am 13) love my snake.

How Members Rated
This Care Sheet

Rate This Care Sheet

Please keep all comments constructive to Colombian red-tail boa constrictor husbandry methods and care. Any degrading, sarcastic, or disrespectful comments will be removed.

Total Members Rating: 1

1	( 0 )
2	( 0 )
3	( 1 )
4	( 0 )
5	( 0 )

DISCLAIMER:
The information contain in these care sheets represents only the opinions and husbandry care of members and therefore is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate or reflects the advice or opinions of RepticZone.com. It is always advised to seek additional information or the advice of a qualified veterinarian or qualified reptile dealer. It is also advisable for you to a good amount of research before implementing any of the ideas and care described in these care sheets. We also recommend you ask many questions in their related forums before acting on any information.