How to Breed Brazilian Boas

Brazilian rainbow boas are a beautiful species of snake hailing from Brazil that reach about 5 to 7 feet in length and are generally red in color with an iridescent sheen giving them their rainbow-like appearance. They have very specific humidity and heating requirements and are typically only kept by experienced snake owners. Breeding rainbow boas is similar to breeding other types of boas in that it requires both patience and experience.

Instructions

    • 1

      Select your breeding pair; both snakes should be at least 3 years old and 5 feet long to ensure sexual maturity. A female that is not yet mature may give birth to stillborn pups.

    • 2

      Set up a 75-gallon enclosure, complete with a basking site and heat lamp, newspaper substrate, a shelter and pool of water.

    • 3

      Place both boas in the enclosure and let them get acclimated to each other for around two weeks, but do not feed them. You will be simulating a winter season, over which time food in the snakes' gut could potentially go undigested due to the lack of warmth and spoil.

    • 4

      Lower the temperature in the enclosure to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit for four to six weeks. This will simulate a rainy season in their natural habitat. Mist them about once a day but not too much as excess water will lead to fungal infections. Do not feed your snakes during this period.

    • 5

      Gradually (after at least four weeks) bring the temperature in the enclosure back up to around 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This should take about 10 days and can be accomplished by increasing the wattage of heat bulbs or adding heat mats. You may also begin feeding the snakes normally again. This should simulate spring and induce copulation between the snakes. If successful, the female will begin to show through swelling in her lower regions.

    • 6

      Remove the female and place her in her own enclosure of at least 40 gallons with a similar setup and warm (85 degrees Fahrenheit) temperatures and a water bowl. If the mating was successful, she will give live birth to a litter of around five to 25 pups after six to eight months. The pups should be removed and placed into their own enclosures immediately.