Acrantophis dumerilii (Dumeril's boa)

Age: up to 30 years
Origin: This species is found along the western coast and southwestern regions of Madagascar (arid plains, semi-arid woodlands).
Length: up to 200 centimeters
The Acrantophis dumerilii is grey-brown and has black markings

Care
Experience: average hose keeper
Food: Live or dead prey.
Adult feeding: 1 time every 7 to 10 days
Feeding young: 1 time every 5 to 7 days
Water bowl: Yes
Water change: 3 times a week

Nutrition
There is the choice to present the prey alive or dead. It is recommended to offer dead food. This is more practical and prevents the food animal from injuring your snake. It is also advised to offer the food animal with feeding tongs and to feed your snake outside the enclosure. This ensures that your hand is not associated with food and prevents your snake from reaching for your hand while feeding. If you do go for live food, you must supervise the feeding. The prey animal can also injure the snake. Feed the rat snake separately, because when two snakes catch the same prey, they can injure each other and sometimes eat each other themselves. The ideal prey is about as wide as the widest part of the snake.

Water
Always water a big water bowl in teh terrarium.

Cleaning
The accommodation must be kept clean to prevent diseases and bacteria build-up. This can be done by doing this weekly. In addition, it is wise to thoroughly clean and disinfect the accommodation a few times a year. This prevents the build-up of bacteria. When cleaning, make sure that you also clean the climbing branches and elevations.

Handling
To feed the Acrantophis dumerilii and to clean the enclosure, your snake will have to be handled. This must of course be done properly so that the snake and you are safe. Handle the hose with a hose hook or lift it with two hands. Do not hang your snake around your neck, because if the snake falls it will clamp around your neck. In addition, there are some important things to pay attention to when handling an Acrantophis dumerilii. First, make sure that your snake realizes that you are going to handle it and move slowly when handling it. Also make sure your hands are washed and don't smell like food. Finally, do not handle your snake when it is molting and do not handle it in the dark.

Housing
Minimum size stay for 1 hose: 180x 90 x 55
Lying surface: 0.5m2 with at least one raised lounger per hose on which the hose can lie.
Day temperature: 30-32C
Night temperature: 22-26C
Hours of light: 12 hours
Humidity: 70%-80%
Ground cover: coconut is a popular ground cover for this hose at many hose holders

Design
the Acrantophis dumerilii can be found along the western coast and southwestern regions of Madagascar (dry plains, semi-arid woodlands). Make sure that there are also sufficient hiding places in the enclosure

Behaviour
Hunting method: Strangler snake
Lifestyle: semi-arboreal & nocturnal

Character
active animals that are usually in a good mood. This makes them easy to handle and excellent pets. Young specimens can be defensive.

Points of attention
ensure a thick layer of substrate

Cost and Purchase
Legislation: The Acrantophis dumerilii falls under CITES IA, so it is strictly controlled. You will need CITES or transfer papers to own this snake. You should receive this with the purchase.
One-off costs: This includes the costs for accommodation, lighting, heating, water bowl and decoration. This can cost a few hundred euros to a few thousand euros. The final amount depends on the quality and size of the products.
Fixed costs: Fixed costs include the costs for the feed, which is several tens of euros per year.
Unexpected costs: Costs have been incurred when your hose happens to get sick or your equipment breaks down.