Care Sheet for BoasAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.33 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 09/05/2006 |
Main Category: | Snakes |
Sub Category: | Boas |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Shirin |
Years Experience: | 3 to 5 Years |
Species: | Common boa constrictor |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | just boas |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Boa constrictors are 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 |
Mostly Active During: | Both |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Newspaper, indoor/outdoor carpeting, and shavings can all be used. Cedar 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.A large water dish suitable for soaking should also be provided with fresh water daily.
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Lighting and UVB: | Boa constrictors do well with a 12-hour photo period. 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 under-the-tank heaters, 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.
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Temperatures and Humidity: | Daytime temperatures should be 80° to 85° F with a basking temperature of 95° F. Night time temperatures should be 75° to 80° F. |
Heating and Equipment: | See the above (lighting and uvb) |
Caging Provided: | Hatching boa constrictors can be housed in a 20-gallon aquarium, but they will soon out grow this enclosure. Usually only custom-built cages are the only suitable enclosures for adult specimens. Cages should at a minimum be 8 feet long by 2 to 3 feet wide by 4 feet tall. When constructing cages it is important to not use unfinished wood or other porous materials since these are difficult to clean and can harbor diseased boxes and limbs and shelves for climbing should be provided for climbing and basking. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Appropriate sized small mammals should be offered. Young boa constrictors 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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Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | I don’t use any but calcium supplements can be used if desired. |
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 like Lysol or Pine-Sol 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.
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Some Words on this Species: | These are great snakes but do think carefully before buying one,these are big animals reaching lengths of 8 to 12 feet and weighing up to 30 to 60 pounds. they are of very good temperament, but if not shown the right amount of attention and if not handled on a daily basis this can quickly change an trust me you don’t wont a bite from an adult boa! so think before you buy there not fashion accessories x |
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