Common Facts on the Red-Tailed Boa Constrictor

The red-tailed boa is a type of boa constrictor found in the North, Central and South America. The snake is commonly kept in zoo reptile collections or bred and sold to private owners through the pet trade. Though the snake's eating habits and size are horrifying to many, brave pet owners admire its majestic appearance and enjoy the feeding-time spectacle. Red-tailed boas can live up to 30 years or more in captivity with the proper care.

  1. Physical Characteristics

    • Newly hatched red-tailed boas measure about 15 to 20 inches, growing rapidly to 5 or 6 feet in its first year. In its second year, the boa will grow 3 or 4 more feet, adding pounds as well as length. Boas continue to grow every year, with average adult females weighing 50 pounds and measuring 10 feet. Adult males are slightly shorter, with a narrower girth. The snake's body is brown, gray or off-white, with regular reddish brown saddle patterns becoming more pronounced toward the tail.

    Behavior

    • Red-tailed boas have a calm temperament, are typically active at night, and prefer to be alone when not mating. Like all boas, the snakes kill their prey by wrapping it in its coils, after which they swallow the animal whole. Boas do not generally bite humans unless startled or threatened. Though painful, their bite is not poisonous.

    Habitat

    • Wild boas prefer warm, humid environments near bodies of water and heavy vegetation, which provides camouflage. Captive snakes require their own personal ventilated snake-proof enclosure kept between 82 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with a basking area kept between 90 and 95 degrees. Newly hatched snakes can thrive in a 20-gallon tank, while larger snakes require roomier tanks available from large reptile suppliers. Captive snakes must have fresh water at all times and a hiding spot made from sterilized or pet-store bought branches, commercial caves or caves built from bricks or rocks. To maintain a sanitary habitat, paper towels or shredded fir bark bedding must be changed regularly because it becomes soiled with the snake's urine and feces.

    Diet

    • Boa constrictors have slow metabolisms and can take up to a week to digest their food. After a large meal, the snakes may not need to eat again for several weeks. Boas eat live or freshly pre-killed prey -- small mice or rats are suitable for baby snakes, while adults may eat chickens or rabbits. Purchase animals from pet stores or hatcheries, as wild animals or grocery-store purchased raw meat may carry diseases and bacteria that can kill the snake. Do not feed the snake prey larger than the widest part of its body.