The boa snake | Facts & Information

# The Boa Snake | Facts & Information

The Boa Snake | Discover Fascinating Facts and Information About The Boa Snake

Boa constrictor. Although all boa snakes are constrictors, only this species is referred to as" boa constrictor", an almost unique case of an animal to have the binomial name.

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The Boa Snake

The Boa Snake

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Facts

Origin

All subspecies are referred to as Boa. Boa constrictor is a species of large snake with a heavy body. It belongs to the family Boidae and can be found from Mexico to Argentina, specifically in Latin America, South America and part of the Caribbean islands.

An impressive collection of specimens, some public, found at many pet stores, under different specific colors.

Feeding Boa Snake

The diet includes a wide variety of mammals and birds. Most of their diet consists of rodents because they are the most vulnerable. Eat and mice, birds larger lizards, amphibians.

The size of the prey increases as it ages. Boa snakes are ambush animals and often camouflage themselves and often stay on the prowl.

However, their way of hunting is known and appreciated, especially in food-poor areas. The Boa first bites the food by sticking its fangs, then curls around it killing it by suffocation, after which it swallows it whole with the help of its teeth and very elastic jaw.

Snakes can swallow animals larger than their body (diameter). After swallowing it will take 4 to 6 days to fully digest the prey depending on size and temperature. Due to its slow metabolism after a normal meal, it can last between a week and a few months until the next meal.

Features Snake Boa

Boa constrictor is a large snake, but modest in size compared to other snakes that are larger, such as reticulated snakes or pythons, which can reach lengths between 1 and 4 meters.

Sexual dimorphism is in this species is clear, with females being significantly larger in both length and girth. The size of a mature boa snake can reach 4 meters.

In captivity they reach lengths of up to 12-14m. a report in the past identified an 18.5 m long boa snake, but later identified it as a green anaconda. The weight of the boa snake can reach the weight of 27kg. Its size and weight vary depending on the species.

The color varies greatly depending on the location , however, gray, brown, cream or reddish-brown colors are generally found.

The color helps the snake to camouflage itself in the jungles and forests of its natural environment. There are also specimens that have pigmentation disorders such as albinism. They have a variety of colors and shapes, some individuals have an arrow-shaped head or distinctive stripes like the top, etc.

It feels heat through the cells around the mouth. They also have two lungs with which they breathe, and some species have completely lost the left lung due to its elongated shape.

They are solitary animals and socialize only during mating. They can only warm during the day, because at night the temperatures are too low. Young can also climb trees after eating, but as they get bigger they remain only terrestrial because of their large body.

The bite of adults can be painful and rarely dangerous, however care should be taken to ensure that the wound does not become infected. Central American specimens are cranky, wheezing and whistling loudly repeatedly when disturbed.

Those from South America are somewhat more sociable and can get furry more easily because there are times when the snake does not see very well (it is about the substance that lubricates the skin, makes the eyes "close to the color of milk, milky and these do not see very well"), this makes him more defensive.

Locals know that snakes with opaque eyes do not see very well, that they are on the defensive or on the contrary can capture them more easily.

Boa in captivity

This species lives quite well in captivity, they become quite gentle. It is nice to see them in zoos or in the House of reptile breeders.

When kept in captivity they are fed on mice, rats, chickens, chickens, depending on the size of the individual. Longevity in captivity is 20-30 years and rarely to 40 years. His breeding in captivity is conditioned by the space in which he lives, which must have the appropriate temperature and humidity.

Usually adults are raised in terrariums measuring 180cm x 90cm x 60cm. Females that are larger than males require more space. The general rule is that the minimum enclosure length must be 2/3 of the length of the snake.

And to be sure that it will be big enough in adulthood it is good to be preventive so as not to torment the animal. The bigger it is, the more beautiful and healthier it is. Snakes are generally kept in separate locations but are terrariums where females are Social if they have space.

Males should not be left together because they fight. Glass aquariums are not recommended for snake owners because they do not maintain temperature and humidity well inside them. The lowest temperature should be between 27 and 29 degrees celsius and the highest between 30 and 33 degrees.

Care must be taken that the temperature does not fall below 24 degrees or does not climb above 35 degrees, otherwise discomfort occurs and as the temperature difference increases problems arise. The optimum temperature can be provided by means of a light bulb or other heating sources.

All heat sources should be chosen carefully to prevent burns. It would be great to put a 120W bulb in a 70 litre terrarium, unless you want to serve the snake for dinner.

The best heat source chosen according to the material from which the terrarium is made(glass, plastic, etc.) and ideal usually are sources with thermostat. Humidity varies depending on the terrarium. 50%, 70%, etc.

Lighting is not something special, it would be good to be light about half-half, IE 12h. De prefer would be to periodically "see" natural light, make them good to the eyes, even to be put in places naturally lit.

Inside it is good to put a newspaper with shavings. Pine shavings should be avoided due to the oil content that is toxic to the snake. A bowl of water can provide adequate humidity.

He must have 1-2 things where he can hide. Thus he regulates his body temperature by choosing the place with the shade or the one with the "sun".

If the terrarium complies with the above general conditions it does not need special plants, but they can constitute a beautiful decoration. For movement would be good 1-2 legs or shelves on which to climb. At first he will eat small mice, but as he grows up he will "ask" rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, chickens, etc.

Another general rule concerns the size of the animals that the snake can swallow. This size is chosen according to the circumference of the snake's body and the flexible ligament of the snake's lower jaw. Young snakes can be fed once a week for healthy growth, and adults once a month.

Excessive food leads to health problems and shortening the snake's life. At certain times it is normal for snakes to lose their appetite during stressful times. Water should be changed daily.

Adult boa snakes must be handled by two people for safety as they are very strong animals. It is not recommended to be handled with 48 hours(2 days) to be fed because of the risk of regurgitation.

Breeding Boa Snake

Snakes are oviviparous animals, giving birth to live Cubs. They generally mate in the dry season, between April and august. Males can mate with several females.

Half of the females will mate within a year and a higher percentage of active males will seek mates. Due to their nature many of these males will not fail.

During the breeding season the female will emit a pear at the level of the cob that will attract the males who will fight for primacy. During the act the males curl their tail around the pertenera.

Copulations can last from a few minutes to several times and can be repeated over a period of several weeks. When the female is close to ovulation she has a larger body as if she had eaten a large prey.

The gestation period is about 100-120 days. After this period the female will give birth to 10 to 65 snakes with an average length of 15-25cm. Serpisors are independent from birth and in the first years will grow rapidly.

At the age of 3-4 years become reach sexual maturity, then grow further all life but more slowly.

It is one of the most exploited species of snake. They are highly populated within the exotic pet trade. Today many boas are bred in captivity. Between 1977 and 1983 over 100,000 were imported into the US.

They were hunted for meat and skin. The most common for the skin from which shoes, bags and other items of clothing are made.

In some areas they protect themselves to control rodent populations. As in most cases the species is threatened with extinction due to man in several regions.

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