Origin: Melanesia and Polynesia
Length: up to 150 centimeters
Lifespan: up to 15 years
The Pacific boa owes its name to the fact that it lives on a series of islands in the Pacific Ocean. The snake has a brown body and a red tail. Its body has a zigzag pattern. Another characteristic is the boa's nose, which appears more square and pointed, compared to other boas, which have more rounded noses.

Care
Experience: Experienced 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
In the wild, Pacific boas eat a diet of reptiles and amphibians and will occasionally take a small rodent. This makes boas that are not accustomed to rodents more difficult to eat. One way to accustom the animals to rodents is to rub them with a lizard or frog. The other option is assisted or force-feeding. Please be sure to prioritize your own safety and that of the animal. The rule of thumb for prey size is that the prey should be as thick as the largest part of the snake. These prey can be offered live or dead. However, for convenience, it is recommended to offer dead prey. This is more practical, and live prey can sometimes injure the snake. We recommend offering food items with tongs and feeding your snake outside its enclosure. This has the advantage that your hand isn't associated with food.

If you do choose to use live food, you must supervise feeding. If you keep the Pacific boa with other snakes, you will need to separate them before feeding, as they can sometimes injure each other during feeding. This is particularly dangerous when males and females are together. Males are much smaller than females and could easily be eaten by the female.

Water
This boa, like other boas, is a true water lover. In addition to drinking, they also bathe in it. Therefore, the water dish must be large enough for the snake to bathe its entire body. This bathing can cause the water to become dirty, so changing the water more than three times a week is not a problem.

Cleaning
To prevent disease and bacterial growth, the enclosure must be kept clean. This can be done weekly, and it's also wise to thoroughly clean and disinfect the enclosure a few times a year. This prevents bacteria from building up. When cleaning, be sure to also clean climbing branches and raised areas.

Handling
To feed the Pacific boa and clean its enclosure, your snake will need to be handled. This must be done properly to ensure the safety of both you and the snake. 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 your neck 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 while handling it. Also, make sure your hands are washed and free of food odors. Finally, don't handle your snake while it is shedding, and don't handle it in the dark.

Housing
Minimum enclosure size for one snake: 100 x 50 x 100
Daytime temperature (warm): 27-29°C
Daytime temperature (cool): 20-24°C
Nighttime temperature: 20-25°C
Daylight hours: 12 hours
Humidity: 55%-80%
Ground cover: Bark or peat litter
Equipment
The Pacific boa lives in rainforests spread across a series of islands, this archipelago is called Plynesia. Here, the boa lives on the ground and in trees. Therefore, the enclosure must be suitable for this. For example, by offering climbing opportunities, such as branches. In addition, shelter should be provided in the form of a den, cave, or piece of wood. Ensure that the shelter is large enough for the snake to lie completely under. Finally, like other boas, they need to be able to bathe. To achieve this, they need a water bowl large enough for the snake to lie down in with its entire body.

There are a few additional things to consider regarding the enclosure. Pacific boas, for example, are quite adept at escaping, and care must be taken to prevent them from simply opening the door. You can do this by placing a lock on the enclosure. Ventilation is also necessary to keep the air fresh, and it's recommended to position the enclosure out of direct sunlight and as vibration-free as possible.

Behavior
Hunting Mode: Constrictor
Life Style: Semi-arboreal & nocturnal
Temperament
Pacific boas are not suitable snakes for handling. This is because they are sensitive to stress. Although a well-cared-for Pacific boa can become very tame and friendly, handling is still not recommended.
Points of Attention
Make sure the humidity is adequate.

Costs and Purchase
Legislation: The Pacific 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.