Boa constrictors are heavy - bodied Hydra find in tropical South America . It was long thought to be the world ’s great Hydra , but has since been outmatch by other species , such as the reticulated python and the gullible anaconda . Despite their size , they are relatively easy to keep as pets and are amenable to being handle by people .
In the Wild
Boa constrictor are found in a variety of home ground , including rainforests , deserts , and savanna . They be on the ground or in Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and bushes in their aboriginal habitats and have been love to climb as high as 20 feet ( 6 meters ) above the soil .
Primitive Snakes
The feather boa constrictor gets its name from the manner in which it captures and kills its prey . Once the ophidian has bitten its prey to guard on to it , it constricts its body around the animal to use its knock-down body to wipe out the animal bycutting off its bloodsupply . The feather boa constrictor is one of the few beast that has the same " common name " as their scientific name , which is also a boa constrictor .
Other names for the boa constrictor are the red - go after feather boa , the common feather boa , and " jiboia " in Latin America . Boa constrictors areprimitive ophidian , which means they have two lung alternatively of one and their skeletons still have a rudimentary set of back branch and pelvic bones .
They transfer aroma into their extremely developedvomeronasal organwith their tongue . With their"pit organs"positioned near their eye , they can see in the ultraviolet spectrum and observe beast torso heating plant .
Native Habitat
Boa constrictors can be find in Mexico , Central America , South America , and the Caribbean . They can also be bump in Florida and the Virgin Islands , although they are not aboriginal species and are considered invasive . Boa constrictors lean to live in rainforest and prefer to hold out by the water , although they can be found in other types of habitats . They are think " habitat Renaissance man " and can adapt to a variety of environments , even urban one , which is part of the reasonableness they are relatively easy to care for in captivity .
While adult boa constrictors run to live on or near the footing , their young are arboreous . Boa constrictor are view a threatened species in their aboriginal habitat and are heel in theConvention on the International Trade of Endangered Species(CITES ) .
General Characteristics
In ordination to keep your boa constrictor salubrious and happy , it ’s important to have the right kind of home ground for them and ensure their temperature needs are adjoin .
Appearance
Boa constrictors are among the world ’s big snakes , measuring 8 to 13 metrical unit in length , with lengths above 11 feet consider rarified . They range in system of weights from 60 to 100 pounds .
Boa constrictors come in a assortment of colors , from brownish to Marxist to xanthous - putting surface . Diamonds , circles , and origin form different patterns on their organic structure . The coloring of a feather boa constrictor can change as it sheds and age . Snakes that are older have deeper hues than snake that are younger . Albino boa constrictor , as well as unusual colouring patterns developed via breed known as " morphs , " are prominent in the pet breeding swop . This snake is recognized for their unique semblance shape , which is similar to that of the coral snake . This species ' want of ventral scales amaze it the byname " boa , " which means " no belly " in Portuguese .
Diet
Boa constrictor in the state of nature typically run through amphibian , snort , bat , rodents , and other small creature . Larger boa constrictors in the wilderness have been known to prey on rapscallion , cop , ocelots , and even belittled deer . A boa constrictor will digest their target over the class of about four to six days .
Younger boas ( less than 6 month old ) should be fed every 5 to 7 days until they get hold of about half their grownup size . Once they get through this size , tip them every 7 to 10 days until they are full grown . Feeding too much can causehealth problemsand make it unmanageable for them to shed in good order as adults .
Habitat
The ideal natural enclosure for an grownup should be approximately 5 understructure in height , 4 metrical unit long and at least 3 feet deep . Boa constrictors are excellent escape artists , so the enclosing should be well - secured with no small openings . The inclosure should be indestructible and leisurely to clean .
Provide the snake in the grass with a " pelt " where they can feel dependable . pelt can be purchased at preferent stores that are sculpted to see like caves or tilt , or you could use a simple box or credit card container with a hole cut in the side . supply branch in their habitats , such as spider Sir Henry Joseph Wood or driftwood pieces , can make the home ground feel and look more lifelike .
houseclean the cage at least weekly to remove any urine or dejection and forbid the increment of bacterium .
Tank Substrates
A variety of substrates will work well , but fend off using wood shavings such as pine or cedar , since they can become lodged in the digestive tract and cause health issues . or else , choose fromfir bark , shredded aspen , newspaper , corrugated cardboard , or craft paper .
Temperature Requirements
Snakes need international sources of heat since they can not govern their organic structure temperature . In the wild , they use the Lord’s Day for this design . When keeping a boa constrictor as a pet , you will necessitate to keep up a proper temperature in your Hydra ’s habitat . The snake needs to be able to move from warm to cooler areas of the enclosure .
During the twenty-four hour period the temperature in the main part of the habitat should be between 80 to 85 arcdegree Fahrenheit , with a basking area of about 95 degrees . Temperatures at nighttime should be between 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit . There are several ways you could heat and maintain the temperature of the habitat . hot up the inclosure with ceramic emitters , heat lamp , andheating pads .
oestrus lamp and ceramic elements can be mounted to the top of the inclosure to direct heat down . Heat tape or adhesive pads can be come out on the underside of the spyglass enclosure . They do not require UV ( ultraviolet ) light source to maintain their wellness , but you could use a lighting if you opt . If you take to use light , utilise full - spectrum lighting or a low-pitched - watt incandescent bulb during the day . Place the inflammation in a fashion that the snake in the grass does not total into direct impinging with the bulb . Snakes can be severely combust if lights are site incorrectly .
Humidity
In addition to their temperature requirement , you need to keep the right layer of humidness in their aquarium . An idealistic range is 60 to 75 percent , which can be achieved with misters and a bowl of water in the tank . Your arena should be one that is too heavy for the snake to criticize over and ideally gravid enough for the snake to move its physical structure through to cool down off . Water should be cleaned and replaced often though , as boas have a tendency to urinate in their water bowls .
What to Feed a Boa Constrictor
Boa constrictors are carnivores and eat alive fair game . Typical food choice for a preferent boa constrictor aremice , rat , chicks , and even little rabbits . Pet boa constrictors in enslavement can consume pre - killed prey such as skunk and mice . A good prescript of pollex to think of when fertilize is that the prey should be no wider than the widest part of the snake ’s torso . Always provide your boa with a sporting trough of water to go along with their repast .
Boa constrictors can be fed once a week to a twain of times per month , depending on the eld of the serpent . Baby boa constrictor grow quicker than adults , so they need more frequent feedings . Snakes up to a year old should eat every seven to 10 daylight , and then every two week until they attain their second year . After this , female can consume every three week , and males typically eat every two calendar week . Once they attain eld three , you’re able to move to a final feeding schedule of every three or four weeks for a female and every two to three weeks for a male person .
It ’s best to usereptile tongsto feed your feather boa constrictor , as you do not require the snake to confuse your hands with the quarry . This can lead to bite , as the ophidian ’s visual modality is weak and it may confuse the heat energy hail from your consistence with the prey and bite you by accident . It ’s also very important to launder your hands thoroughly after handling their food , because the aroma can confound them , as well .
Handling
While boa constrictors are not dangerous to adult mankind , they can seize with teeth if they palpate stressed or startled or during shedding season when they are irritable . Though they are non - venomous snakes , the bit can still be quite atrocious as can constricting if they get ahold of you .
Care should be accept to not allow children to deal boa constrictors , as there is a peril of the snake getting around a child ’s neck and constricting if the Snake River feels stressed and uncomfortable . It ’s also a good reason to never permit a feather boa constrictor wind around an adult body , as well . You should also avoid handling a boa constrictor after it has had a meal , because there ’s a fortune it will regurgitate its repast .
Boa Constrictor Mating and Birth Facts
Unlike pythons , the feather boa constrictor is viviparous , which means they give birth to live Hydra rather than laying egg . gestation period for a boa constrictor is between five and eight month . When a feather boa constrictor gives birth , they can have up to 60 live baby snakes that can inhabit severally of their mother right at birth .
There have been recorded instance in the wilderness of female feather boa constrictors give birth without snarl to a male , which is have it away asparthenogenesis . Females and male may mate with more than one snake during mating time of year , which is usually from April through August .
Legality
Boa constrictors are classified as exotic pets , and there are Torah that variegate from state to commonwealth regarding the possession of exotic animals . For example , Florida requires boa constrictor owners to have a permit , while Pennsylvania has no specific law regarding reptiles . Each State Department has unlike laws , so before get a boa constrictor to keep as a pet , you should contact your local game commission or city or county animal control department to find out the legal aspects of ownership . Certain large constrictor snake are nix by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceLacey Act in Florida , but the boa constrictor was not admit in the 2015 law .
Veterinary Care
A new pet boa constrictor should go to theveterinarianfor an initial examination , then follow up with unremarkable sojourn to maintain their health . Boa constrictors can become infested withparasitesthat could eventually be fateful . Some plague can also be transmit to mankind , so it is of import to always cleanse your hands after cover your pet or its habitat . Boa constrictor are also susceptible torespiratory conditionsandskin disease . Boa constrictor can survive 20 to 30 years in the natural state , so with right attention and maintenance , your boa can moderate a retentive , respectable life .
Is a Boa Constrictor Right for You?
Though Boa constrictor are gentle by nature , their sheer size and strength can make them dangerous for inexperienced owners . If you ’re interested in owning a boa , research first on cosmopolitan care , proper habitat set - up , dieting , and handling . Be certain that you may provide your boa with what they demand and if you ever do get one as a deary , be very careful when cover them . If you plan to display your Hydra in a terrarium , check that it ’s escape cock - validation . recollect , always to exercise caution when work with pets of this distance and strength .
