Origin: Melanesia and Plynesia

Length: up to 150 centimeters
Age: up to 16 years
The Pacific boa owes its name to the fact that they live in a series of islands in the Pacific Ocean. The snake has a brown body and a red tail. There is a lighting pattern over the body. Another feature is the nose of the boa, which is more square and pointed. In comparison with other boas that have a more round nose.

Care
Experience: Experienced snake keeper
Food: Live or dead prey.
Adult feeding: Every 15 to 20 days
Feeding young: Every 7 to 10 days
Water basin: Yes
Change water: 3 times a week

Food
The Pacific eats a diet of reptiles and amphibians in the wild and will occasionally catch a small rodent. This makes boas that are not used to rodents more difficult to eat. If an Adderboa is used to eating rodents, they are good in terms of food. One way to get the animals used to rodents is to coat the rodents with a lizard or frog. The other option is assist or coercion. Make sure that you and the animal's safety are at the forefront. The fist rules for prey large is the prey is as thick as thickest part of the snake. These prey animals can be offered alive or dead. Although for convenience's sake it is recommended to offer dead prey. This is more practical and sometimes live prey can injure the snake. We advise you to provide the feed animals with a pair of tongs and to feed your snake outside the accommodation. This has the advantage that your hand is not associated with food.

If you go for live food, you must supervise it during feeding. If you hold the Pacific boa together with other snakes, you will have to take them apart for feeding, as it sometimes happens that the snakes injure each other while feeding. This is when men and women sit together completely dangerous. The men are a lot smaller than the women and could therefore be eaten by the woman without any problem.

Water
Like other boas, this boa is a true water lover. In addition to drinking, they also bathe in it. The water basin must therefore be large enough for the snake to be able to bathe in with its entire body. This soaking can cause the water to get dirty, so it is not a problem if the water is changed more than 3 times a week.

Cleaning
To prevent diseases and bacterial accumulation, the accommodation must be kept clean. This can be done by doing this on a weekly basis, and it is also advisable 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 Pacific boa and to clean the accommodation, your snake will have to be handled. This must of course be done well, so that you and the snake are safe. Handle the snake with a snake hook or lift it with both hands. Do not hang your snake around your neck, because if the snake falls that will soon clamp around your neck. In addition, there are some important things to look out for when handeling an boa. First make sure that your snake understands that you are going to handle it and move gently when you handle it. Also make sure your hands are washed and do not smell like food. Finally, do not handle your snake when it is peeling and do not handle it in the dark.

Housing
Minimum size of stay for 1 snake: 150 x 60 x 80
Lying surface: 1 m 2 with at least one raised lounger per snake on which the snake can lie.
Day temperature: 25-28C
Night temperature: 20-25C
Hours of light: 12 hours
Humidity degree: 55% -80%
Ground cover: Newspapers, bark or peat litter
Interieur
The Pacific boa lives in rain forests spread over a series of islands, this island group is called Plynesia. Here the boa lives on the ground and in the trees. This will also make the stay possible. By offering climbing opportunities, for example. This is possible in the form of climbing branches. In addition, shelter must be provided in the form of a cave, cave or piece of wood. Bear in mind that the hiding place is large enough for the snake to be completely covered. Finally, like other boas, they need to be able to bathe. To be able to do this, they need a water bowl that is large enough for the snake to be able to lie in with its entire body.

For the stay there are some extra things to pay attention to. The Pacific boas, for example, are quite good at escaping and it will have to be ensured that they cannot just open their doors. You can do this by putting a lock on the residence. In addition, ventilation is needed to keep the air fresh and it is advisable to set up the stay out of the bright sun and as vibration-free as possible.

Behaviour
Hunting method: Strangle snake
Lifestyle: semi-arboreal & night active
Character: Pacific boa are not suitable snakes to handle. This comes as snakes that are sensitive to stress. Although a well-cared-for Pacific boa can itself become very tame and friendly, handling is still not advised.
Points of attention: The Pacific boa is capable of eating prey larger than its head. For a large snake this can even be children and pets. Therefore never leave your snake alone with your children or pets.

Costs and Purchase
Legislation: The Pacific boa falls under CITES II, to own this snake you need CITES or transfer papers. You should get this when purchasing.
One-off costs: This includes the costs for accommodation, lighting, heating, water bowl and decoration. This can together 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, this is several tens of euros per year.
Unexpected costs: Costs have been incurred if your snake happens to fall ill or your equipment breaks down.