Care Sheet for Boa ConstrictorsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.53 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 03/12/2003 |
Main Category: | Snakes |
Sub Category: | Boa Constrictors |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Zoe |
Years Experience: | 3 to 5 Years |
Species: | Colombian Rainbow Boa |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | Rainbow Boa |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Scientific Name:
The scientific name of the Colombian Rainbow boa is Epicrates cenchria maurus. Some spell Colombian, ColUmbian, but the correct spelling is ColOmbian, as is the name of the country.
Distribution:
These rainbows come from the Colombian tropical rainforests.
Behavior:
Rainbows tend to be very placid. As babies, they often are nippy and will bite anything that moves. However, with frequent and gentle handling they can quickly be tamed. Most adults are quite calm and easy to handle, but some remain slightly nervous forever. Moving slowly and gently will keep the snake happy and feeling safe.
Size:
Colombian Rainbows are a small species of boa, males rarely get bigger than 4 feet, and females rarely get bigger than 4.5 feet. They are fairly thick bodied, and are very strong snakes for their small size.
Longevity:
A healthy rainbow boa can live longer than 25 years in captivity.
Pattern and Colour Variation:
Colombian rainbows don’t posess a remarkable pattern. Though they are born with black circles on their backs, their pattern fades and as adult they are a plain brownish pink to brown colour. In some adults, the pattern is still slightly visible. However, they have an amazing irridescence, and despite their boring colour are attractive snakes. |
Mostly Active During: | N/A |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Substrate:
Colombian Rainbows can be kept on simple substrates such as newspaper or indoor/outdoor carpetting, which are cheap and easy to clean. However, they do enjoy burrowing, and need high humidity, so mulch makes the best substrate. Aspen or Cyprus mulch, a few inches thick, will provide good humidity and burrowing medium, and is easy to spot-clean. The entire substrate should be replaced every few months.
Water:
Colombian Rainbow boas need a water bowl large enough to soak in, which should always be full of fresh water. The water bowl should be cleaned and rinsed weekly. |
Lighting and UVB: | These snakes do not need UVB or A, so a 40 WATT bulb or a fluorescent bulb. If using an incandescent bulb, it must be protected or the snake can burn itself. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Temperature:
The ambient daytime temperature of the tank should be 75 to 85°F, with the cool end being 74 to 76°F and the hot end being 85 to 88°F. Night time temperatures should be 73 to 80°F. This hot spot can be created by using a heating pad. Heating bulbs can be used, but are not recommended.
Humidity:
The hardest part of keeping these snakes, is maintaining a high humidity in the cage. These snakes NEED high humidity! If they aren’t provided with 80% or so humidity, they can develop shedding problems, respiratory infections and a whole array of other problems. Proper humidity can be attained by placing a large water bowl over/under the heat source, and spraying the tank twice daily. |
Heating and Equipment: | Hot spots can be created with a UTH (under tank heating). These heat pads go for 5-15$ in walmart or zellers, or you can buy some specifically made for herps which tend to cost a lot more. Heat tape is also an option, and is best used on rack systems. |
Caging Provided: | Enclosure:
Babies can be kept in small (15-20 gallon) rubbermaids with holes drilled into the sides. Adults should be kept in at least a 35 gallon rubbermaid, but bigger is better. The general rule is the enclosure should be 3 quarters the length of the snake long, and 2 thirds deep. These snakes need some height, as they do enjoy climbing branches. The best and easiest enclosures for these snakes are rubbermaids, as it is very easy to control humidity. Tanks with mesh lids are not recommended. If you want to be able to see the snake, a plexi-glass door works well.
Accessories:
These snakes are semi-arboreal, and should be provided with a large rock or two and some thick branches for climbing and to help with shedding. Fake or live plants also look good. Though Colombian Rainbows enjoy roaming their cage, they do need a place or two to hide or hang out in. A large, upside down plant pot with a hole in the side makes a great hidebox, or you can buy a store-made one. If possible, one on either end of the tank is good. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Feeding:
Baby rainbows should begin feeding on fuzzy mice after their first shed (7 to 10 days after birth). The babies should take fresh killed or thawed fuzzies, but if they won’t, feeding can be induced by offering live prey (supervise at all times, a hungy or scared mouse can inflict serious injury!), or by leaving the snake overnight in a small plastic rubbermaid with the dead mouse. Babies should be fed twice weekly. As they get older (3ft) they can eat adult mice or small rats, and their feedings can be reduced to once weekly. Adult colombian rainbow boas can eat medium to large rats once every 10 days. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | |
Maintenance: | Shedding:
Healthy Colombian Rainbows should shed in one piece if provided with adequate humidity. Spraying the tank two or three times daily and increasing the humidity to 85-90% during sheds can help the snake shed. If a piece of shed doesn’t come off with the rest of the shed, the snake should be soaked in shallow room temperature water for an hour or so. The skin should then come off easily. |
Some Words on this Species: | N/A |
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