How to Create a Moonglow Boa

Moonglow boas are captive bred snakes which have inherited the genetics for three different color mutations. Their pale skin appears nearly translucent, because they do not produce dark or red skin pigmentation. They carry genes for hypomelanism, an inherited condition that prevents black pigments; albinism, an inherited condition that prevents dark pigments; and anerytherism, an inherited condition that prevents red pigments. A moonglow boa must inherit the hypomelanism gene from at least one parent, and the albino and anerythristic genes from both parents.

Things You'll Need

  • Adult female boa
  • Adult male boa
  • Heat source
  • 2 temperature gauges
  • Misting water hose
  • Plastic storage containers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a mating pair of boas. Ideally, both parents should be anerythristic and albino. The gene for hypomelanism may be present in one or both parents. Possible pairs include albino and ghost, albino and super ghost, sunglow and ghost or sunglow and anerythristic.

    • 2

      Provide the female with extra food for several months before the breeding period, and ensure good health in both parents by checking for disease, weight problems and parasites.

    • 3

      Reduce the nighttime temperature in the male and female enclosures in increments down to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Nighttime temperatures should remain low for 2 to 3 weeks.

    • 4

      Place the male inside the female's enclosure, and increase nighttime temperatures in increments up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 5

      Mist the enclosure with water daily to increase humidity, and ensure the female has a warm, sunny location to bask in during the day.

    • 6

      Remove the male after several weeks. Allow the female to rest, and do not handle her unnecessarily while she is pregnant. In 4 to 10 months, she will deliver baby boas inside soft amniotic eggs. The healthy offspring will free themselves from the eggs within a few hours.

    • 7

      Remove the young snakes from the female's enclosure and separate them into breathable plastic containers. Square storage containers work well. Identify the moonglow offspring by looking for nearly colorless features.