Colombian Boa Size & Temperament

Colombian boa constrictors (Boa constrictor imperator) are popular for a variety of factors: ubiquity in the marketplace, their attractive coloration and the gentle disposition of most specimens. It is important for perspective boa owners to understand that despite the pleasant temperament of many boas, females often grow too large for beginners. Male boas don't grow to the immense proportions of females and are more appropriate pets for beginners.

  1. Colombian Boa Basics

    • Boa constrictors range from Mexico to Argentina, inhabiting a variety of forested habitats. In the wild, boas prey on lizards, rodents and birds. As their name suggests, boas are constricting snakes who squeeze their prey until it dies of suffocation or cardiac arrest. Boas can detect the heat emitted by warm-blooded prey or predators through specialized nerve endings in their face. Boas reproduce via a process similar to live birth that is termed ovoviviparity; female boas retain their eggs until they are ready to hatch.

    Colombian Boa Size

    • Neonate boas are approximately 14 to 22 inches in length. Over the next two to five years, most boas will reach at least 4 to 5 feet. As they continue to age, many boas exceed these lengths. Boas are sexually dimorphic, meaning that -- in this case -- the females reach larger sizes than the males do. While a large male boa may reach 7 feet and weigh 15 pounds, adult females may exceed 10 feet and 30 to 40 pounds. While the small size of male boas often makes them quality pets, the sizes reached by some females makes them challenging to house, feed and handle.

    Colombian Boa Temperament

    • While young snakes are often defensive, most Colombian boa constrictors are calm and docile snakes who don̵7;t mind brief periods of handling and contact. Husbandry plays a part in their temperament; stressed or sick snakes are often irritable. Provide your boa with hiding and climbing opportunities in their cage to help them feel relaxed, and keep their enclosure clean and at the appropriate temperatures to keep them healthy. While some Colombian boas remain nervous or defensive despite the keeper̵7;s best efforts, most irritable boas will calm down over time if they feel secure.

    Handling Common Boas

    • The best way to ensure that your boa becomes a docile snake is to handle him gently and regularly. Gently support your snake with both hands and allow him to crawl freely. Do not grab the snake behind the head or otherwise restrain him; doing so will only frighten your snake. In order to avoid cases of mistaken identity, always wash your hands after handling prey animals or pets -- you don̵7;t want to smell like food around a snake who identifies his prey primarily by scent. Never handle your snake alone if your boa is over 6 to 8 feet in length.