How to Take Care of a Baby Boa Constrictor

Boa constrictors are a large-sized snake native to South and Central America. Boa constrictors are popular pets and are often sold as babies by breeders and in pet stores. These young boa constrictors may only be 1 to 2 feet in length, but can reach lengths of between 6 and 12 feet as adults, depending on the sex and locale. In order to thrive in captivity as pets, boa constrictors need proper care and a well-maintained environment.

Things You'll Need

  • Container with holes and a lid
  • Water dish
  • Paper towel
  • Heat pad
  • Tongs
  • Thermometer
  • Hygrometer
  • Thermostat (optional)
  • Frozen rats
  • Chlorhexadine cleaner
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Set-up the baby boa constrictor's habitat. The boa will not need a larger cage until it gets older and a shoebox-sized plastic container with ventilation holes will provide optimum humidity and a sense of security for the snake. Lay substrate along the bottom of the container, add a water dish large enough for the snake to soak in and place a heat pad underneath the container on one side. This will create a cool end and a hot end, or thermal gradient, allowing the snake to change position to cool or heat itself at will.

    • 2

      Observe the temperature and humidity levels in the enclosure, using a hydrometer and thermometer. This will ensure that the cage provides a suitable habitat before introducing the snake. The heat pad may need to be attached to a thermostat in order to regulate its temperature. Proper temperatures for a baby boa constrictor are the low to mid-80s Fahrenheit, with humidity between 65 and 70 percent.

    • 3

      Acquire a baby boa constrictor.

    • 4

      Leave the baby boa constrictor alone for a couple of days after bringing it home, to let it settle in. As tempting as it may be, disturbing, attempting to feed or handling the snake during this time will cause it stress. This acclimation period also gives you time to observe the snake for any signs of illness.

    • 5

      After a couple of days, feed the snake with an appropriately sized prey item, most often a pinky rat--bay rat with no fur--no larger than the thickest part of the snake. Do this by allowing the frozen rat to thaw to room temperature and then dunking it in very hot water just before presenting it to the snake, using a pair of tongs.

    • 6

      Feed the snake every five to seven days and always ensure it has fresh, clean water.

    • 7

      Disinfect the container with chlorhexadine cleaner on a weekly basis or whenever the snake defecates. This odorless cleaner, used by many veterinarians, should be rinsed away after cleaning. If chlorhexadine is not available, soap and water will do. Replace the substrate with fresh, new substrate, if you've chosen substrate like newspaper or paper towels, which becomes heavily soiled. If the substrate you use is wood shavings, it will only need to be spot-cleaned on a weekly basis and replaced every couple of months.