AMAZON TREE BOA  

  • Best kept by experienced snake and reptile keepers – Amazon Tree Boas are usually enjoyed as display animals as they will bite readily.
  • Tree Boas come in a vast variety of colors and morphs including different variations of red, yellow, orange, tan, charcoal, and green.
  • Typical size range is between 4-6ft, but have been known to reach lengths of 7ft on occasion.
  • Average life span of 12-20 years in captivity.

Diet

Baby boas will eat one to two pinky mice once a week and will gradually accept larger prey items as they grow. If the meal does not produce a slightly noticeable lump in your snakes belly then it’s time to upgrade to a larger prey item. Boas should be fed appropriately sized prey just once every other week to once a month throughout its lifetime. Amazon Tree Boas will readily strike anything that moves and is warm therefore a long pair feeding tongs should be used to offer thawed frozen mice. A dish of fresh water should be available at all times.

Housing

Small boas may be housed in a standard 20 gallon tank, however as they grow they will require a larger enclosure. A single adult will do well in a 75 gallon tank. As their name implies, Amazon Tree Boas are mostly arboreal and when choosing a terrarium for your tree boa a taller cage is always better. These boas will usually hide in fake plants and décor; in order to see your snake more often, you can outfit his terrarium with plenty of vines, branches, and shelves for him to crawl on while keeping plants to a minimum.

Overhead lamps are best used as a heat source to stimulate natural climbing and basking behavior. The basking area should be between 85-90 degrees with a cooler portion between 70-75 degrees. Nighttime temperatures should drop to 65-70 degrees. This species does not require UV lighting.

Rainbow boas will dehydrate and quickly become ill if not provided with ample water and humidity. Humidity levels should spike to 90% or higher after misting and be allowed to dry out to between 40-50% before being misted again. In addition to a large water bowl, daily or twice daily misting of the enclosure and all of its contents will be required.

Handling & Care  

Amazon Tree Boas are known for their intolerance of being handled and will readily bite at anything that moves and is warm, though some individuals may calm down and become far less defensive as they get older. For all of their natural beauty, tree boas are most commonly kept as display animals, being enjoyed from a distance. As with any animal, excessive handling can be stressful and lead to other issues down the line. If you must handle these snakes it is best to do so with a snake hook. Spot cleaning by removing feces once a week will ensure a healthy, clean environment but bedding should be thrown away and the entire cage and decorations wiped clean once every month to two months.

Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap after handling any animal.

Health

Mouth rot (infectious stomatitis) can occur if a snake's teeth are broken, the mouth lining is injured, or if a struggling rodent being constricted bites the snake.

Respiratory distress can occur if the cage temperature changes radically or if humidity is low and the cage is damp.