| general
|
| description |
One of the smaller members
of the boa family. |
| distribution |
Southwestern U.S.A.
(southern California, Arizona, and northern Mexico) |
| adult
size |
2' - 3' |
| hatchling
size |
approx. 1' |
| life
span |
approx. 15 years |
| venomousness |
Nonvenomous |
| subspecies |
trivirgata -- Mexican
Rosy Boa
roseofusca -- Coastal Rosy Boa
gracia -- Desert Rosy Boa |
| housing |
| natural
habitats |
Terrestrial; Dry and warm
savannahs that experience little rainfall |
| cage
|
It should be large instead
of tall because it does not climb much. (e.g. Wooden
Terrarium, Glass
Terrarium)
Make sure it is escape-proof, easy to disinfect, free
of sharp edges, dry, well ventilated, and hold heat to
ensure proper temperatures. |
| substrate |
Cypress mulch, aspen,
small wood chips, barks (e.g. Repti
Bark, Coconut
Bark), gravel, sand (e.g. Repti
Sand)
Since it burrows, the depth of substrate should be at
least 2" - 4" |
| activity
period |
 Nighttime (nocturnal);
give heat and help monitoring by infrared lamps (e.g. Nightlight
Red Bulb, Infrared
Heat Lamp) where the light is invisible for it but
humans |
| temperature |
23 - 28 ¢XC -- cooler area
(e.g. Daylight Blue
Bulb)
21 - 24 ¢XC -- at night (e.g. Nightlight
Red Bulb, Infrared
Heat Lamp, Ceramic
Heat Emitter) |
| humidity |
58 - 60 % |
| water
dish |
A water dish (e.g. Rock
water dish) can be available for it to drink or soak
in. |
| hiding
place |
Essential, a place for
its privacy, security and sleep by day.
Possibllites include caves (e.g. Habbe
Hut, Heat Cave), etc |
| diet |
|
diet |
Carnivorous (meat-eating);
Rodents (e.g.
mice, rats) |
| how
often to feed? |
once every 5 - 7 days
for hatchlings to juveniles;
once every 7 - 10 days for subadults to adults |
| notes |
1. It needs a smaller
prey than most of the pythons and boas else.
2. Feed it in the dark.
3. Do not ever move your hands near when it is feeding.
4. Do not handle it till a day after feeding. |
| reproduction |
| reproduction |
Ovoviviparous; 5 - 8 youngs
are born each time |
| mating
age |
from 3 - 4 years |
