S'N'A Intermediate Series: Episode 2 - Common & Central American Boas
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Not to be confused with the true Red Tailed Boas which occur East of the Andes mountain range. Boa constrictor imperator has a large natural range and due to geography this is in a line running North from West of the Andes. This means that the biomes and temperature ranges naturally encountered by the boas is highly variable.
Generally accepted and used temperature ranges are from 31-33 celcius at the basking spot with the option to move away and cool down (thermoregulation). As always snakes should be furnished with the ability to hide at both the warm and cool end and not to have to choose between temperature and security. Younger animals can still stress if permanently exposed, adults meanwhile can cope with this environmental stress better. Cool ends should be between 26-27 celcius. The basking area can reduce to 27-28 celcius at night.
Due to the vast differences in size over the geographic range adult accommodation will vary. Mentioned in the video is a 5ft x 2ft x 2ft vivarium as an acceptable minimum for an adult female Common Boa (2.1-2.4m) other imperators would be lost in a vivarium of this size. Caulker Cay boas are fully mature at just over 1kg in body weight. Think chunky Corn Snake and you get the idea. In this case a 3ft x 2ft x 2ft vivarium or 4ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft may be more the measure of choice.
Boas are heavy set and muscular, it is important we use a good heat source that will thoroughly warm both the air and inhabitant. Best suited to the job are ceramic heat emitters (CHE’s). These are incredibly powerful bulbs that emit no light but utilise infra-red wavelengths to warm the inhabitants. Best option is to use a powerful bulb and allow the thermostat to bridle it accordingly. This extends the life of the bulb considerably. Ceramic bulbs can last multiple seasons. Personally I have had ceramics last in excess of six years. A Thermostat is not an optional extra it is essential to the well being of the snake. Do not shirk your responsibility to be able to maintain the correct temperatures. Heatpads may be of use when raising baby Boas in a breeding situation in tubs but they are all but useless in vivariums. They do not adequately heat the air and should be avoided. There is a real risk of ventral burns and constipation in larger boas who lay permanently on a heat pad.
Substrate is a personal choice, the animals from Colombia and Southern Central America may be best suited to orchid bark, whilst animals from the North of the range would prefer lignocel or aspen. This is down to the humidity and rainfall levels present in nature. Some people use newspaper, it’s down to you.
Boas are ready feeders, too ready some would argue and there is a tendancy for people to bring on their animals too quickly producing an animal referred to as a pin head. The body grows in line with the food being offered rather than with age where as the opposite can be said of the head of the boa. It is important to keep your animals looking proportionate. Adult animals need only be fed every 2-3 weeks.
Certain smaller localities of Boa constrictor imperator (and in particular males) may fast during certain periods of the year. Some mature males may only feed a handful of times a year.
Cycling of Boa constrictors for breeding isn’t overly complicated. By introducing shorter hotter days (8hrs, 34 celcius) and longer cooler nights (16hrs, 25 celcius) this encourages the males to increase sperm production and the follicles of the female to begin to mature. Introducing the pair after a month or so of this pattern and maintaining for a month or so after introduction will encourage breeding behaviours. Animals from vastly differing localities may cycle earlier or later in the season. Check climate data for clues. A female with maturing follicles will ovulate (she will look like someone has blown her up like a balloon!) this then subsides slightly. Maintain breeding trails with the male periodically introduced (4-5 days in 4-5 days out with the girl). Once satisfied that copulation has been successful remove the male. Females may become more territorial than they were before breeding trials and they may fast for the duration of pregnancy. Because Boas are live breeders this takes a lot out of the female and as she won’t feed for up to 100-120 days breeding should only be attempted every other year. During pregnancy an even temperature of 32 celcius can be maintained at the basking spot throughout pregnancy so basking is an option for her. She may ‘sun’ her belly at this point as well, coiled up they may turn their belly towards the heat. This is normal and no need to panic.
Just so you know, common boas have gained full species status and are now simply boa imperator
Snakes haven't figured out how to cross the Andes.
*Yet.*
Been waiting for this vid. Boas are my favourite, awesome snakes. Great video.
DRED ATOR glad you enjoyed it
To help us drive up subscriptions to the Channel would viewers please consider sharing the channel or videos to their social media accounts. We would absolutely love to this channel to grow and Blossom into a portal of useful information for reptile keepers new and experienced.
very much appreciate your passion and hard work. this is a great resource. it is encylopedic, thus v helpful.
BCI are not for beginners. Finally someone who thinks like me.. Offcourse if you really want 1, and you do a lot of research into it, then you can buy a hatchling that already eats frozen thawed, and raise him up. They're very nice snakes.
Hi Snakes 'N' Adders. My question is if a super dwarf retic or a dwarf burmese or any other snake can behave like a boa (handling), meaning they are inquisitive but they stay on you and don't leave to run around?
Just a Colombian common mate they are highly variable. I cannot rule out absolutely there being no redtail blood in there.
My personal favourite BCI’s are Corn Island boas, I’m looking into getting some soon.
I almost forgot Tarahumaran mountain boas - they’re awesome
Beautiful animal. She looks like she may have some bcc in her.
I really like the Argentine's. When I received mine she had mites, but that meant extra handling from changing paper substrate a lot and bathing from a shed issue but all that seems to have actually made her trust me quite a bit. Now 3, and quite a bit larger she's sweet as can be and very dark and cryptic looking. Great species.
TimoteoDelCielo occidentalis are awesome mate!!
Best use a middle when they clear of mites to use something as "prevent a mite". And yes indeed int the beginning keep them on paper. I use kitchen paper. But I have a Little baby aberrant Cali king snake. He's such a sweety!!!
What is the locality of the boa in the video? Has very similar markings to my boy!
Great video, and great channel.
We have a 522 Viv and it takes two Che to make a proper gradient. Is this something you've experienced?
Very helpful!
m.facebook.com/snasheffield
excellent vid, keep it up
Thankyou for the support!!!
Do you keep animals in store ? And when will you next have boas or do you have stock ?
need more sound better mic
Langren1972 all done on my mobile phone
We are working on it
Hola, great video.
Great video!:)
Help , just got what I assumed to be a Central American boa and he seems to have a respiratory infection and also is very restless constantly moving about in his enclosure ... he is 3/4 feet and was kept in a 5/10 gallon tank his whole life ... what do I do ? I fed him he ate fine it’s been only 2 days please what should I do ...
i will post a video response in the agony aunt section i have just started.
Now posted the response.
Drew V A lot of research, and may be best see a vet. I would go directly to a reptile vet if I see something about my snake. Everything for my baby.
If you would up your volume i would watch your videos.
These are 2 mobile phones ago. The newer videos are much louder.