Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria)

Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria)
Contributed by:Stuart Dodsworth of EAWT

This article is only meant as an introduction, and you should still read several other care sheets before acquiring your animal.

Distribution

This species of Rainbow Boa is primarily nocturnal. In the wild it is found in Southern Venezuela, Surinam, Guyana and other areas of the Amazon Basin.

Size

This species can reach sizes of up to 210cm (7 feet), although specimens are usually smaller than this.

Diet

This species in captivity is often over fed. Adults should not be fed more regularly than every 14 days. They should be fed appropriately sized rodents. Day old chicks can be offered occasionally.

Requirements

Heat Source: This can be either reflector (spot) lights in green, blue or red or ceramic bulbs. Thermostatically controlled heat mats can also be used to good effect.

Thermostat: An essential part of every vivarium and is required to control the heat inside the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.

Housing: This should consist of a dark wooden vivarium with glass frontage and adequate ventilation. An enclosure measuring 120cm long x 45cm deep x 60cm high (4ft x 1.5ft x 2ft) is adequate for an adult. Hatchlings can be kept in a smaller container inside their future vivarium.

Wire Mesh Guards: These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent any thermal burns from occurring.

Thermometers: One should be placed at either end of the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat as this is often incorrect.

Hides: These are essential to prevent stress and allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. Artificial plants, boxes, plant pots, caves etc. all make excellent hides.

Temperature

This species of Rainbow Boa should be provided with a basking area which is allowed to reach 29.4°C (85°F), this should never be allowed to exceed 32°C (90°F) as this can be harmful to your rainbow boa. The background temperature should be 25.5°C (78°F). At night the temperature may be allowed to drop to around 23.8°C (75°F).

Humidity and Water

The enclosure should be misted daily in order to maintain an ambient humidity of 70 - 80%. A water bowl deep enough for the snake to fit in should be provided, this must be changed regularly as it is also the water the snake will drink. A humid hide must be created for this species, this should contain sphagnum moss and be misted every other day to maintain the humidity.

Longevity

If given the correct husbandry conditions this species can live to between 20 and 25 years of age, with some exceeding this.

Substrate

Chip shop paper or newspapers are the safest substrates to use, although bark mulch or moss can also be used to good effect. Care must be taken to ensure that no substrate is ingested during feeding.

Salmonella

Many reptiles carry the naturally forming bacteria Salmonella. It must be stated that salmonella bacteria can only be contracted by ingestion (via the mouth). Good hygiene is therefore very important when keeping any animal.

NB - This species of snake can be a bit nippy, for this reason it is not recommended as a first time snake