How to Care for a Colombian Red Tailed Boa

With their wide range of body color types and spotted red tail, Colombian red tailed boas are some of the most interesting snakes to look at. These snakes are also considered to be some of the most docile boa constrictors available, making them a good choice for a pet. However, these snakes can grow up to 10 feet in length, and their docile attitude can change if they are not receiving adequate housing, feeding, or care.

Things You'll Need

  • Reptile enclosure
  • Under-tank heater
  • Ceramic heat emitter
  • Reptile bedding
  • Water dish
  • Wooden reptile accessories
  • 2 thermometers
  • Humidity gauge
  • Fresh killed or frozen rats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase an enclosure for your boa. The most commonly available enclosure is a glass terrarium type habitat. You can also purchase a custom plastic reptile enclosure from many online sources. These plastic enclosures make it easier to maintain the correct heat and humidity for your snake. The enclosure should be at least 55 gallons, or should measure at least 4 feet long, 1 foot high, and 1 foot wide. Even though your snake may look small, boas grow very quickly. Make sure the enclosure has a securely locking mesh lid.

    • 2

      Install an under-tank heater.

    • 3

      Install a ceramic heat emitter at the top of the enclosure. This heat emitter supplies more heat for your boa and has a light that can be switched on to provide a basking place for your boa.

    • 4

      Fill the bottom of the enclosure with reptile bedding. Several options are available for snake bedding. Most can be found in the local pet store.

    • 5

      Place a water dish in the enclosure. This dish should be heavy enough that the boa cannot spill it and large enough that the entire boa can fit in it if it wants to.

    • 6

      Place wooden reptile accessories in the enclosure. These accessories should include branches for the boa to climb on and some hollow logs to provide hiding areas for the boa.

    • 7

      Install two thermometers in the enclosure. One thermometer should be placed at the end of the tank where the ceramic heat emitter is. The other thermometer should be placed at the opposite end.

    • 8

      Install a humidity gauge in the enclosure.

    • 9

      Monitor the thermometers and the humidity gauge. The thermometer away from the heat source should read between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit at all times, in order to maintain the health of your snake. The thermometer under the heat emitter should read in the low 90s. The humidity gauge should always read between 50 and 60 percent. If your enclosure isn't humid enough, mist the snake and enclosure frequently. You can also lay a wet towel near the heat source.

    • 10

      Provide fresh water for your boa every day.

    • 11

      Clean the cage whenever the boa makes a mess. Also, thoroughly clean and disinfect everything in the cage once a month.

    • 12

      Feed the boa freshly killed or frozen rats. Thaw any rats that have been frozen. The rats should be no larger than the width of your boa. How often to feed depends on the size of your boa. Boas between 3 and 4 feet long can be fed one rat once a week. Larger boas should receive a larger meal with up to two weeks between feedings.