Despite the intimidation of the idea of ​​having a snake at home, the truth is that it is not out of the ordinary. Many people adopt different types of snakes like their pets and, taking into account some considerations, they can do so without major difficulties.

However, home care of a boa constrictor differs greatly from that of any other pet; This type of snake needs to have certain specific conditions that allow them to develop normally.

If you are considering adopting a boa constrictor as part of the family, you need to know some basic issues to carry out the process without inconvenience; Therefore, we are going to share some important tips that will help you take care of it with total security.

General characteristics of the boas constrictor

Native to America, boas constrictor are one of the most frequent types of boas, widely known and identified by their constrictor work.

There is a wide variety of subspecies, so it is possible to find boas 1.5m long and some much larger, with specimens up to 4m long. Usually, the largest are females.

The constrictor are quite long-lived snakes, living up to 20 years in wildlife and about 30 to 40 years in captivity, with strict health and food control.

If we talk about the weight of these snakes, we have to warn you that they are quite heavy, although without being overweight. These boas are of robust complexion, so they reach up to 40kg in weight, even with strictly monitored diets.

Boas constrictor in captivity

In general, snakes are not usually very friendly animals and boas constrictor are no exception. They are more assiduous in the dark, at night and in open spaces, so it may not be the best snake option to have in captivity.

They are cream jackets and anatomically designed to do so without much difficulty. They usually spend the day hiding to attack at night, from the heights of a tree or the depth of a swamp.

Although they do not have very good vision, they can detect the heat of nearby dams thanks to fins on the sides of their mouth.

They are identified as one of the most docile snakes of the whole group, given their sedentary lifestyle and tendency to wander in rather dark places.

Boas constrictor feeding

From rabbits to bats, the boas constrictor can eat a wide variety of animals, including chickens, squirrels, rats and possums.

In the case of those who live in captivity, they are usually fed every 7 to 10 days with rabbits which, in turn, must be fed carefully, remembering that the purpose is that the snake feed is the best for prolong your life expectancy.

Adopt a boa constrictor as a pet

To adopt a boa constrictor as a pet, it is essential to look for an experienced snake breeder; Therefore, look for a certified hatchery that gives you total confidence that your activity is 100% legal.

Make sure you observe the snake well, that its eyes are bright, without further evidence of cuts or bumps and that it curls on your arm.

Also, it evaluates the movement of your tongue and the color of the oral cavity. You should constantly stick out your tongue to indicate health and show a pink hue in the cavity.

Take the opportunity to analyze the snake’s temperament. If it has curled up and remained gentle before your touch, we can say that it is docile, which undoubtedly makes it the best alternative.

You must take into account the weight and length of the snake and if it has already reached its total growth or can continue to stretch. With this as a base, you can prepare to receive the pet.

Boa constrictor habitat at home

It is not advisable to have other small pets at home, such as cats or dogs of medium breeds, as they will inevitably be at risk in any complicated scenario.

It is necessary to have a terrarium according to your needs. The minimum will be one of 2mt2 that can increase depending on the dimensions of the animal.

It should be designed in a way that allows temperature and humidity to be adjusted, taking into account that boas are cold-blooded animals.

The terrarium should be checked and cleaned deeply once a month, date on which you must be prepared to mobilize your snake, taking into account adequate space for it to remain while you do the cleaning.

Since they are sedentary animals and tend to remain hidden, the movement of the place will make them nervous so it is not surprising that they want to flee. This must be taken into account to take all necessary precautions.

Is it dangerous to have a boa constrictor at home?

In principle, you should know that a lot of advice and expert advice is needed. Therefore, it is necessary to talk with a veterinarian expert in boas to have all the details.

As we have mentioned, it is a docile snake not only because of its temperament, but also because it does not have poison in the bite. However, they do not cease to represent a risk.

Like most snakes, they bite when they feel threatened or when they are hungry. They do it as a way to hurt their prey, in order to begin the process of constriction around them.

Therefore, you can always be at risk with it, especially if you escape from your controlled space and can visualize us as a dam. We must bear in mind that, if this happens and the boa begins to wind up, the process will not stop unless we are instructed to perform this maneuver or have help from another person.

Experts do not recommend having them at home as a pet. It would be preferable to keep them in their habitat and enjoy them in controlled spaces such as zoos or hatcheries, where specialists monitor their behavior, feed them correctly and keep them away from people.