How to Care for a Rosy Boa

Rosy boas (Lichanura trivirgata) are one of the smallest members of the boa family and the only species native to the United States. Rosy boas are stout-bodied snakes that rarely grow more than 3-feet long. They are native to southern California and western Arizona where they thrive in desert and chaparral habitats. Rosy boas make excellent pets due to their small size, docile nature and ease of care in captivity.

Things You'll Need

  • 20-gallon aquarium with secure lid
  • Reptile heating pad
  • Thermometer
  • Newspaper
  • Snake shelter
  • Water dish
  • Frozen mice
  • Bleach solution
  • Plastic shoebox
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put a 20-gallon aquarium in a quiet area in your home with stable temperatures away from direct sunlight and air conditioning vents. Rosy boas are nocturnal animals and will spend most of the day asleep in their cage; placing the aquarium in a peaceful location will facilitate a healthy environment for the snake.

    • 2

      Place an under-tank reptile heater under one side of the aquarium and test the temperature with a thermometer. Rosy boas, like all reptiles, are exothermic animals and require and external heat source to warm their body and digest food. Ensure the temperature at the basking site remains around 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 3

      Fold old newspapers so that they fit neatly in the bottom of the aquarium. Rosy boas should be kept in a dry habitat and newspaper makes a cheap and easy-to-clean substrate that does not retain moisture.

    • 4

      Place small hiding boxes that are large enough to accommodate the size of your rosy boa on either side of the aquarium. Rosy boas spend most of their time burrowing underground in the wild and will feel more secure if they have a place to hide in captivity.

    • 5

      Fill a water dish with fresh, dechlorinated water and place it in the center of the enclosure, away from the heating pads and hiding boxes so that the snake can easily move around.

    • 6

      Feed baby rosy boas baby mice once or twice each week to facilitate healthy development; adults should be fed once every 7 to 10 days and will readily eat adult mice. Feed rosy boas at night.

    • 7

      Remove the snake from its cage and place in a plastic shoe box anytime you need to clean the enclosure. Remove and disinfect all furniture with a mild bleach solution and discard soiled newspaper. Place new newspaper and clean furniture back into the cage before reintroducing your snake. Maintaining a sterile environment is the best way to prevent health problems for your rosy boa.

    • 8

      Change the water in the water dish every other day to maintain a fresh, clean supply of water for your rosy boa at all times.