Scientific Name : Boa constrictor

Sex : Male

Length : 6 Feet (Average 6 – 12 Feet – Females are bigger)

Weight : 11 pounds (Average 25 – 50 pounds – Females are bigger)

Lifespan : Captive Born May 2000, Age 4 years (Longevity 20 – 40 yrs)

Breeding: Livebearer, 11 to 60 young

Range: Mexico, Central and Upper South America. This specimen is typical of Boas found in Columbia. Subspecies are also found on islands off Panama and Hog Island off Honduras.

Habitat : Typically a resident of Tropical Rainforests, boas have adapted to inhabit deserts, tropical savannahs and deciduous forest. Generally living in hollow logs and rodent burrows they also spend considerable time hanging from trees in search of prey.

Food and Hunting : A powerful constrictor feeding mainly on small mammals like squirrels and opossums, boas will also take birds, lizards and larger mammals. In captivity they are fed mice and rats appropriate to their age and size. Larger specimens can be fed rabbits.

Conservation : Boas are still quite common throughout their range although hunted for their skins. Exportation requires a CITIES permit. Boas are captive bred extensively in the pet trade reducing the demand for wild caught specimens significantly. They are also bred in a variety of morphs including albino, patternless, and various color patterns.

Captive Care : A great temperament and relative easy of care make this a suitable species for captivity. Adult size and heat requirements need to be considered however. Most specimens feed well on frozen thawed rats and mice.