Epicrates alvarezi (Argentinian boa)

Origin: Northern and central Argentina
Length: 1.3 to 1.8 meters
Age: up to 20 years
The Argentinian rainbow boa is a lighter colored rainbow boa. With a light brown colored body, which is covered with a brown / light brown spot pattern. There are 5 dark stripes on the head. The most unique is that the body is covered with a pearly layer that creates a rainbow glow. This glow can be compared to the rainbow luster of gasoline that floats on water and is best seen after the moulting. Hence the name "rainbow boa".

Care
Experience: Average snake keeper
Food: Live or dead prey.
Adult feeding: Every 8 to 12 days.
Feeding young: Every 7 to 8 days
Water basin: Yes
Change water: 3 times a week
Food
Like the other boa species, the Argentinian rainbow boa is a real constricting snake, so it can also eat prey larger than its head. In the wild they eat a varied diet of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. But in captivity, a diet of rodents, including mainly mice and rats, is enough. It is advisable to offer this death. This is more practical and prevents the feed animals from injuring your 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 rainbow 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.

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

Water
The Argentinian rainbow boa is a water lover. This not only for drinking but also for bathing. To allow this, the water basin must be large enough for the boa to be able to lie in it with its entire body, and preferably even slightly larger.

Cleaning
To keep your snake healthy, a hygienic environment is important. To achieve this, the accommodation will have to be cleaned regularly. Cleaning once a week is regular enough. In addition, the entire stay must be cleaned and disinfected a few times a year to prevent the build-up of bacteria.

Handling
To feed the Argentinian rainbow 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 a rainbow 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 that 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 100
Lying surface: 1 m2 with at least one raised deck per snake where the snake can lie.
Day temperature: 27-32C
Night temperature: 22-25C
Hours of light: 12 hours
Humidity degree: 60% -85%
Ground cover: Newspapers, bark or peat litter
Interieur
The Argentinian rainbow boa is very active but does not need a gigantic encolsure. They do need enough movement options during in their enclosure. This can best be offered in the form of climbing branches. The more climbing branches the better it is for the snake. In addition, the water basin must be large enough for the snake to bathe in. Also make sure that this water container is secure so that they cannot knock it over. Finally, the snake must be able to pull away. You can achieve this by offering the snake hiding possibilities in the form of an inverted flowerpot or an artificial cave.

For the enclosure there are some extra things to look out for. The Argentinian rainbow boa, for example, is quite good at escaping and it will have to be ensured that they cannot just open their door. 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: Constructing snake
Lifestyle: Semi-arboreal & night active
Character: The Argentinian rainbow boa is a more stress-sensitive snake, but if you act calmly it can become a tame and calm snake.
Points of attention:  The Argentinian rainbow 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 Argentinian rainbow 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.