![]() UVB lighting is not needed for the proper care of boas, and the vast majority of boa keepers do not use it. Full-spectrum bulbs with UVB may provide physical and physiological benefits to boas, but this has not been proven. If the belly heat being provided from the under-enclosure device is not warm enough, overhead lighting will assist in maintaining a proper hot spot, but overhead lighting or an overhead heating device alone is not recommended for boas.Ī low-wattage fluorescent bulb can be used to provide a photoperiod (day/night cycle) and to better observe your boa. Be sure to check the temperature of your hot spot while the bulb is on. If an overhead bulb is used, it should be placed directly over the source of the belly heat. If heat builds up, it can crack the bottom of a glass tank, or cause other caging materials to melt or overheat. If using these devices, especially if you’re using a glass enclosure such as an aquarium, be sure some ventilation is provided around the heat source. Some heat sources, especially heat tape, can get too hot for some enclosures, and they must be regulated not just for the boa’s safety, but yours, too. Any heating device should be controlled with a proportional thermostat or rheostat. Under-tank heaters are the most readily available, such as a heat mat, heat cable, and heat tape are possibilities. ![]() The warm side should be 85 degrees, with a hot spot of 90 degrees provided by an under-cage heating device controlled by a thermostat so overheating does not occur thiswill provide “belly heat.” Boa constrictors greatly prefer this, so they can coil over the rising heat.īelly heat can be provided using various devices. The temperatures in the cool end your boa cage should not drop below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Then if the boa gets too warm, it will move toward the cooler side, and if it is too cool, it will move to the warmer side. This is very important, do not place the heat source in the center of the cage, place it at one end. Lighting and Temperatureīoas control their body temperature through thermoregulation, and the cage should have a warm side and a cool side. You may also provide rocks, sticks or other structures, but be sure they are positioned securely and free of parasites. Typical full-grown adult boas should be housed in cages no smaller than 4 feet long by 2 feet wide (with larger-than-average snakes in larger enclosures).Ī hide box/shelter should be provided, which will allow the boa to feel safe and secure. Offer two hides, one on the warm side of the enclosure and one on the cool side. Young boas may climb, but do so much less as they grow. Boa constrictors are terrestrial and floor space is more important than height. Naturally, as the young boa grows, a larger cage will be required. An appropriate first cage for a baby boa would be no larger than 30″ long by 12″ wide, in which it will feel very secure. While a new boa is acclimating, simple housing is preferred, and the enclosure should be prepared prior to your new boa’s arrival home. Young boa constrictors have simple needs a large, beautifully decorated cage is not the best choice for them. A rack system is something to consider should you advance into breeding boas, or if you plan to have many boas living with you. Terrariums can be used, but reptile-specific plastic enclosures made from high-quality plastics that maintain proper humidity are much more suitable for boas than anything else. Many caging options are available for boa constrictors. Please consider this carefully before bringing a boa home. There are documented cases of captive boas living longer than 40 years however, the average captive life span is 20 to 30 years. Life Spanīoas are very long-lived reptiles. Males are smaller, usually 5 to 7 feet in length. ![]() imperator, and the average adult size for females is usually 6 to 8 feet. With their health and wellness prioritized.įemale boa constrictors imperator may reach 10 feet in length, though this is rare for B. Proper care can be provided even by beginner hobbyists, but due to their potentially large size and lengthy life span, boas are best suited for moderate- and advanced-level keepers. They make great pets, and they are available in a vast array of appealing color and pattern morphs. The boa constrictor imperator have become popular due to being docile and having more “personality,” in that they seem to be more curious about their surroundings than some other snakes. Boa Imperator Care Guide ( Boa constrictor imperator)
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