Boa Constrictor Care
Boa Constrictor (Boa sp.) is a medium to large, semi-arboreal genus of snakes native to Central and South America. These snakes are often surrounded by myths and are mistakenly referred to as ‘boa constrictors,’ which actually refers to just one of the 3 species: Boa constrictor amarali, Boa constrictor constrictor, and Boa constrictor occidentalis.
The most common subspecies, marked by an asterisk, are known for their placid temperaments and are easy to tame. All subspecies will be described in further detail in section 2 of this guide: Members of the Boa Genus.
Boas are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night, hunting for prey such as birds and small mammals. They use their muscular bodies to squeeze captured prey until it passes out, a humane process that occurs within seconds.
Depending on the subspecies, boas grow between 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 meters) long on average. The most growth occurs during their first 6 years of life, but a boa constrictor can keep growing through age 15. Females are generally significantly larger than males, with some reaching up to 10-12 feet (3.0-3.7 meters) long.
With proper care, boas can live for 30 years, and some documented cases have shown that they can reach 40 years. This means that when you take on a pet boa constrictor, you are committing to a long-term responsibility.
Unlike most other live-bearing reptiles, boas are viviparous rather than ovoviviparous. This means that instead of developing inside egg-like sacs with yolks inside the mother, young are dependent on their mother for nutrient delivery via placenta, just like mammals.
Parthenogenesis has been documented in imperator, where the young receive 100% of their genetics from the mother but are not necessarily her ‘clones.’
Boa Constrictor Care Manual — Table of Contents:
1. Introduction to Boa Constrictors
2. Members of the Boa Genus
3. Boa Constrictor Shopping List — Supplies You Will Need
4. How to Select and Buy a Pet Boa
5. How Big Should Your Boa’s Enclosure Be?
6. Lighting & UVB Requirements
7. Temperature Requirements
8. Humidity Requirements
9. What Kind of Substrate Should You Use?
10. Tips for Decorating Your Boa’s Enclosure
11. What Do Boa Constrictors Eat?
12. How to Handle Your Pet Boa Constrictor
13. What to Do When Your Boa Gets Sick
14. Additional Resources
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