Boa constrictor (Boa)

Origin: Tropical rainforest of South America
Length: 1.5 to 4 meters
Lifespan: Up to 25 years
The boa's upper body is covered with 25 dark bands on a light brown background. Today, the boa is widespread and there are many color variations. In addition, many different morphs can be found in captivity.

Care
Experience: Average snake keeper
Food: Live or dead prey.
Feeding adults: Every 14 days.
Feeding young: Every 7 days
Water dish: Yes
Water changes: 3 times a week
Food
The boa, like most constrictors, is a true predator and can survive on a diet of rodents. You can choose to offer these prey live or dead, although it is recommended to offer them dead. It is more practical to offer them dead, as live food can injure your snake. We recommend offering the food with tongs and feeding your snake outside its enclosure. This has the advantage that your hand is not associated with food.
If you do choose to offer live food, you must supervise feeding. If you keep your boa with other snakes, you'll need to separate them before feeding, as they can sometimes injure each other during feeding.

In captivity, boas often suffer from obesity, so it's important to weigh your snake regularly and adjust feeding accordingly. Obesity is associated with various other diseases and health problems.

Water
All animals need water, and boas are no different. They use it not only for drinking but also for bathing. Therefore, make sure the water dish is large enough for the snake to lie down in with its entire body. Using the water dish for bathing causes the water to become dirty more quickly. Therefore, changing the water more often when it becomes dirty isn't a problem.

Cleaning
A hygienic environment is important for keeping your snake healthy. To achieve this, the enclosure must be cleaned regularly. Cleaning once a week is sufficient. To prevent bacteria buildup, the entire enclosure should be cleaned and disinfected a few times a year.

Handling
To feed the boa and clean the enclosure, your snake will need to be handled. This must be done properly to ensure both the snake and you are safe. Handle the snake with a snake hook or lift it with both hands. Don't hang your snake around your neck, as it will clamp around you if it falls. There are also some other important things to keep in mind when handling a boa. First, make sure your snake understands that you are handling it and move calmly when handling it. Also, make sure your hands are washed and free of food odors. Boas can grow large and strong, which can sometimes make handling difficult. Therefore, always handle a snake over 2 meters with several people. A simple rule of thumb is: one person handles each meter of snake. Finally, don't handle your snake when it is shedding and don't handle it in the dark.

Housing
Minimum enclosure size for one adult snake: 200 x 60 x 60 cm
Lying area: 1 m² with at least one raised plank per snake for it to lie on.
Daytime temperature under the heat lamp: 31-35°C
Daytime temperature on the cooler side of the enclosure: 24-27°C
Nighttime temperature: 21-26°C
Light hours: 12 hours
Humidity: 60%-85%
Bedding: bark or peat moss
Furnishings
For furnishing the enclosure, a plank should be placed halfway up (or higher). This is because boas need to climb high, and they also need climbing branches. They also appreciate a hiding place. Examples include an upturned plant pot or a piece of wood. When choosing a hiding place, make sure the boa cannot get stuck in it. You can use newspaper, bark, or peat moss as ground cover.

There are a few additional things to consider regarding the enclosure. Snakes are quite adept at escaping, so you'll need to ensure the enclosure has a lock to prevent the boa from easily opening it. Ventilation is also necessary to keep the air fresh, and it's advisable to position the enclosure out of direct sunlight and as vibration-free as possible.

There are various subspecies of boa. Some species are considerably smaller than the average boa, such as the Hog Island (1.7 meters) and the Honduras (1.6 meters). For these boa species, a smaller enclosure may be sufficient. An enclosure measuring 100 x 60 x 100 cm is sufficient for such a species. Most species have the same requirements for furnishings, but it's always wise to inquire about specific information when purchasing a specific subspecies.

Behavior
Hunting Mode: Constrictor
Life Style: Semi-arboreal & nocturnal
Temperament
The boa is one of the most tame snakes known. They generally remain calm and will only lash out when forced to. This makes them good pets for the novice snake keeper.
Points of Consideration
The boa is capable of eating prey larger than its head. For a large snake, this can even include children and pets. Therefore, never leave your snake alone with children or pets.

Costs and Purchase
Legislation: The boa is covered by CITES II. To own this snake, you need CITES or transfer papers. You should receive these upon purchase.
One-time costs: These include the costs of the enclosure, lighting, heating, water tank, and decorations. This can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand euros. The final amount depends on the quality and size of the products.
Fixed costs: Fixed costs include the cost of food, which amounts to several tens of euros per year.
Unexpected costs: There are costs incurred if your snake accidentally becomes ill or your equipment breaks down.