Boa Constrictor Care Sheet

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Boa Constrictor Imperator

VERNACULAR /COMMON NAME: Boa Constrictor

FAMILY : Boïde

SUB FAMILY : Boïne

GENUS : Boa

SPECIES : Constrictor

SUBSPECIES : Imperator

CLASS : Squamates

SUBCLASS : Ophidians

NATIVE TO : Central America, South America, from Mexico to Argentina.

BIOLOGY : Ovoviviparous, partly tree-dweller (mostly when juvenile); does not appreciate too much dryness and temperatures under 22°C; can stay under a vine for several days.

CITES : Annexe 2 of CITES

AVERAGE SIZE : 1m50 to 4 m, according to the subspecies.

BIOTOPE : Rainforests

LIFE SPAN : 20/25 years




GENERAL APPEARANCE

Boa Constrictor implies no less than 6 various subspecies as well as others, still discussed.

There are thus 12 subspecies today considered.

Boa constrictor constrictor (Northern and central South America, Carabeans, Trinidad and Tobago)
Boa constrictor imperator (From Mexico to North West of South America, with the Columbian subspecies that is bred to obtain phases such as albinos, snow, ghost ,sunglow etc…
Boa constrictor mexicana (Central and South Mexico) considered today as a locality.
Boa constrictor ortonii (North East Perou)
Boa constrictor amarali ( Bresil, Bolivia and Paraguay)
Boa constrictor melanogaster ( Equator)
Boa constrictor occidentalis (South Bolivia)
Boa constrictor nebulosa (Dominicain Islands)
Boa constrictor sabogae (Saboga Island near Panama)
Boa constrictoror orophias (Carabean island of St Lucie)
Boa constrictor sigma (Tes Maria Islands, Mexico)
Boa constrictor longicauda (Tombes, North Perou)

This is a stout snake with a head neatly marked down of the body. Bright grey to pinkish brown, with dark to redish brown markings. The tail is ornated with red marks, bright red marks for subspecies such as Constrictor or Ortonii.


REPRODUCTION

Boa Constrictor is sexually mature around 3 years of age. Males can reproduce from 3-4, females from 4-5, but rather than the age, the size should be considered first. The pregnancy can last from 5 to 9 months and will give birth to 15 to 50 babies, number varying according to the mother’s size.

SHEDDING

Once a month when young, then once every two moths when subadults and adults.

FEEDING

Boa Constrictor in its natural habitat eats living preys, such as birds and little mammals. Kept captive, it will be given dead preys, pinkies when young, then mice,young rats and rats. Juveniles will be fed every 5-7 days and an adult will be given one large rat every 3 weeks.

TERRARIUM

Size :
1 Boa Constrictor : 160X70X80
Couple : 200X70X80

Substrate or artificial turf.

Humidity : 60-70%

Lightning : 10-12 hours a day.