| Captive Care: Captive care of rosy boas is not difficult as long as care is taken to avoid excess moisture. They can be housed in 10-20 gallon aquaria with escape-proof screen lids. They need good ventilation. Sweater boxes also make suitable enclosures as long as they have numerous holes in sides for ventilation. Undertank heating is essential, especially for gravid females. Substrates which have been used successfully include: newsprint, course sand, dried pine, aspen and Care Fresh. Rosy boas will utilize low climbing branches and require a shelter or hide box. Excess humidity is not tolerated well by rosy boas, but they do need access to fresh water. A small water bowl can be placed in the cage occasionally, e.g., for two days every one to two weeks, or if continuous access is desired, a smaller container will keep down soaking and humidity buildup. If using sweater boxes, a small deli cup can be glued to the bottom to serve as anchor with a second deli cup inserted into the first. The inner cup is filled about half way with water and can be cleaned and refilled weekly. Temperature: As with all snakes rosy boas do best when provided with a temperature gradient. Rosy boas do well with a nighttime low of 68�F (20�C), a daytime high 82�F (28�C), and an additional basking site of 85� to 90�F (30� to 32�C). 90�F is the absolute maximum this snake can tolerate. Access to undertank heat of 85�F is mandatory for gravid females. Brumation temperatures should be in the low to mid 50's with brumation lasting from 6 to 10 weeks. In captivity rosy boas will eat appropriately-sized mice (pinkie, fuzzy, small adults) or chicks. Adults will eat one to three small mice weekly. It is important not to overfeed rosy boas to avoid the health problems associated with obesity. |
| Rosy Boa |
 |