Common name : Brazilian Rainbow Boa
Scientific name : Epicrates cenchria cenchria
Longevity : 15 years is average. Specimens reaching 25 + years of age is not uncommon in captivity.
Distribution : Southern Venezuela, Surinam, and Guyana
Size : 4' - 5' with specimens reaching 6' + not uncommon.
Growth : Can reach 3' in the first year. On average, about a foot per year after the first year. Grow quickly and are usually aggressive feeders.
Food : Rodents of the appropriate size should be offered to babies every 4 - 5 days. Adults should be fed every 7 - 10 days. The general rule of thumb is to feed the snake a prey item that is equal to or greater than the snakes' largest diameter. ( A small meal is better than a large one) Some variations in their diet can be made in the way of chicks, guines pigs, and small rabbits.
Housing : Babies should be housed in a 10 gallon aquarium for their first year. Adults should be have the equalivalent of 72" x 24" x 24".
Temperature and humidity : Daytime temperature should be in the 82 -92 degree range, with a night drop to 70-75 degrees. An 80% humidity should be maintained for proper health. Providing a water bowl over an UTH (under the tank heater) should be enough to provide this. Also daily mistings of the cage and a hide box filled with damp unmilled spagnum moss should ensure that the humidity is kept at the proper levels.
Photo period : 12 -14 hours of daylight in the summer. Reduce to 6 - 8 hours during the winter.
Lighting : Full spectrum UVA/UVB lighting is not neccessary.
Heating : Under the tank reptile heating pads will provide 24hr bottom surface heat, which is essential for proper digestion. Incandescent lights with a dome reflector situated above basking areas will provide the proper daytime heat gradient. Be sure to use a properly placed high temperature thermometer to ensure the temperature does not exceed 90 degrees.
Substrate : Newspaper or carpet type material is reccomended for its ease of cleaning and removal. For a more natural looking vivaria, orchid bark (Repti-Bark), pea gravel, aspen shavings, or pine shavings can be used. If you use shavings or gravel, you must ensure that the substrate is not ingested during feeding as this can lead to impaction and/or death. NEVER USE CEDAR OR REDWOOD SHAVINGS AS THEY CAN BE HARMFUL OR FATAL !!!
Water : Water should be made available in a large sturdy water bowl at all times. Aside from the necessity of providing water, a water container will also raise the humidity and provide an area for soaking to aid in proper shedding.
Maintenance : A weekly mainteance schedule should be implemented with all snakes. Clean the enclosure to remove feces and replace areas of soiled substrate as needed. Thw water container should be removed, cleaned, and disinfected weekly (sooner if the snake defecates in the water bowl, which is common for the bull snake). Never allow the substrate to remain damp as this could lead to to skin and health problems.
Eggs and incubation : Sexual maturity reached in 2 - 4 years. Multiple males usually increase the chance of a successful breeding. Gestation of 115 - 135 days. Gives live birth to typically 10 - 25 babies.
Notes : One of the most beautiful additions to any collections. They derive their name from the rainboe sheen of their scales. There are currently 9 subspecies of rainbow boas recognized at this time. Normally not considered good beginner snakes because of their high humidity requirements. They are semiarboreal and are, more often than not, nocturnal. Tend to be a bit nervous and nippy as babies, but with gentle, persistant handling they usually calm down rather nicely.
