Common Name: Boa, Redtail
Scientific Name: Boa constrictor sp.
Locals:
Peruvian,
Suriname,
Venezuelan,
Brazilian (Boa c. constrictor), Mexican -
Cancun,
Tarahumara Mountain,
Sonoran (Boa c. imperator), Insular -
Corn Island,
Hog Island,
Caulker Cay,
Crawl Cay/Belize (Boa c. imperator),
Pearl Island (Boa c. sabogae),
St. Lucia (Boa c. orophias),
Clouded (Boa c. nebulosa),
Orton's (Boa c. ortonii),
Ecuadorian (Boa c. melanogaster),
Argentine (Boa c. occidentalis),
Long-tail (Boa c. longicauda),
Short-tail (Boa c. amarali),
Colombian (Boa c. constrictor and imperator)General Information: Boas are commonly kept and are known for their good temperaments and red tail. They are medium to large captives depending on locality and come in many colors, patterns, and morphs. Boas are live-bearing (Ovoviviparous).
Proven Color Morphs:
Simple Recessives-
Kahl Strain AlbinoCoral AlbinoSharp Strain AlbinoCaramel Albino/T+Central American/Nicaraguan Caramel/T+ AlbinoArgentine Caramel Albino/T+ Boawoman Hypo/CaramelType 1 AnerytheristicCentral American/Nicaraguan Type 1 AnerytheristicCentral American/Nicaraguan Type 2 AnerytheristicArabesqueBloodLeopardSquare-tailStripedCo-dominant-
Hypomelanistic/SalmonSuper Hypo/Salmon (homozygous)Central American/Nicaraguan HypoHypo Hog IslandSuper Hypo Hog Island (homozygous)Sunset (hypo hog x hypo hog)JungleSuper Jungle (homozygous)MotleyCentral American/Nicaraguan MotleyCentral American/Nicaraguan Super Motley (homozygous)AztecSuper Aztec & Patternless AztecDouble Allele-
Snow (Albino and Anerytheristic)Sunglow (Albino and Hypo)Albino ArabesquePastel AlbinoGhost (Anerytheristic and Hypo)Super Ghost (homozygous Hypo and Anerytheristic)Ivory (Anerytheristic and Pastel)Central American/Nicaraguan Ghost (Anerytheristic and Hypo)Hypo MotleyAlbino MotleyAlbino Super MotleyHypo ArabesqueHypo JungleAlbino JungleCentral American/Nicaraguan Pewter (Blood and Anery Type 2)Central American/Nicaraguan Hypo MotleyCentral American/Nicaraguan Motley T+ AlbinoHypo Aztec/HytecHypo BloodHypo HarlequinParadigm (Boawoman Hypo/Caramel and Sharp Albino)Triple Allele-
Moonglow (Albino, Anerytheristic, and Hypo)Sunglow ArabesqueSunglow Jungle (Lipstick)Other-
PastelHarlequinScoriaStriatedPearlescentDistribution: Depending on subspecie these snakes are found in Mexico, Central America and outlying islands, Argentina, Peru.
Habitat: Boas habitat a large range of land varying from deserts to rainforests.
Size: Hatchlings are 12-16"+/- on average. The smaller locals top out at 4-5 ft for females and 3-5 ft for males, while larger locals average 7-9ft for females and males 5-8 ft. Although rare, sizes up to 12 ft have been recorded.
Lifespan: 40+ years in captivity
Temperament: Sometimes nippy as babies, these snakes are known for their docile and friendly temperaments.
Captive Care
Diet: Appropriate sized rodents weekly. Boas can be fed rats their entire life. Usually started on rat pups and moved up as they grow. Large boas can be switched to rabbits if necessary.
Temperature: Boas need a basking spot of 88-90F and an ambient temperature of about 78-80F. Your background (ambient) temp should not fall below 75F. Boas aren't so tolerant of suboptimal temps, these can cause regurgitation, respiratory infections, stress, and eventually death.
Humidity: 50-60%
Housing: You can use many styles, including but not limited to: Tubs, racks, plastic cages (such as Animal Plastics, Vision), aquariums, etc. An adult Boa depending on local will be happy in a 3x2' cage for smaller locals up to a 6x2' cage for larger locals.
Breeding: Boas reach sexual maturity at 18 months to 3 years of age. Breeding size occurs at 2-3'+ males and 4.5-6'+ females depending on local. The female should be well-muscled, not lanky before breeding. Breeding season ranges from November to March, all feeding should be halted at this time. Breeding may be induced by misting, and reduced photoperiod (8-10 hours). Dropping night time temps to the mid 70s can also help. Introduce the female to the male about 1-2 weeks after feeding is stopped. Ovulation in boas is usually obvious, the female's midsection will swell, and about 14-20+ days later she will shed. Provide a basking spot of 90-92F for the gravid female, you may offer her small meals during her pregnancy. Gestation lasts for approximately 120-150 days.
Note: Boa constrictors are very popular and a good beginner large snake. They are fairly easy to care for, have great temperaments and there is a big selection of localities and morphs. They are easy to acquire as well.
