Boa Constrictor Pet Care
Learn how to take care of your pet Boa Constrictor.
Learn how to take care of your pet Boa Constrictor.
Behavior
A boa constrictor will be a little aggressive as a juvenile, but as long as you handle it, it
will grow out of it. Boas are not known for being aggressive but never handle the
larger boas alone. Also, do not act like your hand is something moving, because they
may mistake it for prey. If the animals are wild caught, they will probably bite a little. If
captive bred, they usually won’t bite. Don’t hold boas as soon as you get them,
because they may get stressed. Handle them for short periods of time, and work your
way up until you can hold them for awhile, and they won’t get stressed.
Environment
Boas are typically from tropical areas. The boa constrictor needs constant heat-at
day upper 80s and at night lower 80s. The basking temperature should be about 90.
It is important your boa doesn't get overheated or too cold. Do not keep it under
constant light. This may stress the snake. Always keep a hiding place somewhere
inside the tank. These snakes spend a lot of their time in hiding places. Make warm
and cold hiding places. Your hiding place can be as simple as a cardboard box or a
nice looking log. They also like to hang from branches, so it is important that you
provide some type of branches. Make sure all materials you use are steady and
strong, since boas are really good at moving things, and something can fall on them
with results in injuries. Clean the tank regularly, and always make sure you clean up
droppings. The boa constrictor's minimum cage size is 2ft by 3ft the boa can live 25-
30 years and needs a constant cage. Snakes need a lot of room. All snakes are
known for being really good at escaping, so it is important you make sure you have
tightly close lids.
Food
The boa constrictor can be fed rats and mice. When he gets older you might find you
need to feed it rabbits too. When you feed it, only feed it dead animals and make
sure they are defrosted. Do not feed any type of animal that is larger than the biggest
part of the boa’s body. If you feed too large of animals, this can damage the digestive
track. Boas prefer eating in dark places by themselves. You should place food in
dark hiding spots. They will regurgitate meals if they feel they are being bothered.
Always provide water for your boa to soak and to drink. Make sure you change it all
the time so parasites don’t grow in it. When your boa sheds, you can try sticking him
in the bathtub with shallow water to make the skin softer and easier to shed.
Substrate
It is best to keep a substrate of newspaper, because it is easy to clean and very
cheap. Always clean the tank and change the substrate every 3-5 weeks. Do not use
wood chips, because some are toxic, and if the snake digests it, it could be deadly.
You can choose to feed your boa in a separate tank. Then you can use more lose
substrates as long as you make sure they won't eat the substrate. Do not make the
cage too humid, because this can make their skin soggy. It is also good to use
carpet. Any loose substrate is not good, because boas can eat the substrate and get
health problems.s
A boa constrictor will be a little aggressive as a juvenile, but as long as you handle it, it
will grow out of it. Boas are not known for being aggressive but never handle the
larger boas alone. Also, do not act like your hand is something moving, because they
may mistake it for prey. If the animals are wild caught, they will probably bite a little. If
captive bred, they usually won’t bite. Don’t hold boas as soon as you get them,
because they may get stressed. Handle them for short periods of time, and work your
way up until you can hold them for awhile, and they won’t get stressed.
Environment
Boas are typically from tropical areas. The boa constrictor needs constant heat-at
day upper 80s and at night lower 80s. The basking temperature should be about 90.
It is important your boa doesn't get overheated or too cold. Do not keep it under
constant light. This may stress the snake. Always keep a hiding place somewhere
inside the tank. These snakes spend a lot of their time in hiding places. Make warm
and cold hiding places. Your hiding place can be as simple as a cardboard box or a
nice looking log. They also like to hang from branches, so it is important that you
provide some type of branches. Make sure all materials you use are steady and
strong, since boas are really good at moving things, and something can fall on them
with results in injuries. Clean the tank regularly, and always make sure you clean up
droppings. The boa constrictor's minimum cage size is 2ft by 3ft the boa can live 25-
30 years and needs a constant cage. Snakes need a lot of room. All snakes are
known for being really good at escaping, so it is important you make sure you have
tightly close lids.
Food
The boa constrictor can be fed rats and mice. When he gets older you might find you
need to feed it rabbits too. When you feed it, only feed it dead animals and make
sure they are defrosted. Do not feed any type of animal that is larger than the biggest
part of the boa’s body. If you feed too large of animals, this can damage the digestive
track. Boas prefer eating in dark places by themselves. You should place food in
dark hiding spots. They will regurgitate meals if they feel they are being bothered.
Always provide water for your boa to soak and to drink. Make sure you change it all
the time so parasites don’t grow in it. When your boa sheds, you can try sticking him
in the bathtub with shallow water to make the skin softer and easier to shed.
Substrate
It is best to keep a substrate of newspaper, because it is easy to clean and very
cheap. Always clean the tank and change the substrate every 3-5 weeks. Do not use
wood chips, because some are toxic, and if the snake digests it, it could be deadly.
You can choose to feed your boa in a separate tank. Then you can use more lose
substrates as long as you make sure they won't eat the substrate. Do not make the
cage too humid, because this can make their skin soggy. It is also good to use
carpet. Any loose substrate is not good, because boas can eat the substrate and get
health problems.s
This video of a
boa constrictor
will give you great
tips if you need
help caring for
your constrictor.
boa constrictor
will give you great
tips if you need
help caring for
your constrictor.