The Brazilian rainbow boa is a beautiful snake, reaching no more than six feet long. With time and gentleness, these reptiles are quite interactive, and they make incredible additions as pets, but are they good for novices? Not exactly.
Rainbow boas require very strict care conditions in terms of temperature, lighting, and humidity. To help you determine whether you should get a rainbow boa as a first-time snakekeeper, this guide delves into their diet, habitat, and handling needs.
Rainbow Boas Aren’t Ideal for First-Time Reptile Keepers
You’ll read that rainbow boas aren’t recommended for those new to keeping pet snakes. But, if you are willing to stick to strict husbandry requirements, then there’s no reason why you couldn’t get one of these pets. Most recommend setting up a tank with the snake’s required heating and humidity before adding the actual reptile. Over a few weeks, determine whether you can consistently maintain these parameters.
Apart from these strict conditions, the rainbow boa isn’t a particularly friendly snake. They don’t enjoy frequent handling, and most times they like to hide, so you won’t have a very active snake in the tank. As noted, rainbow boas aren’t recommended for reptile novices because it can be incredibly challenging to manage their conditions. For example, if you fail to uphold their humidity, they become susceptible to respiratory problems and struggle with normal shedding patterns.
Rainbow Boas Need Proper Humidity to Stay Healthy
One of the most important factors when keeping rainbow boas is maintaining their enclosure’s humidity level. These snakes need humidity levels maintained between 70% and 80%. The easiest way to achieve this is by investing in a hygrometer that measures moisture in the environment. To maintain the correct moisture levels, you’ll need to add a shallow dish of water that the snake can safely climb into.
In addition to the water dish, add material that retains moisture in their enclosure. You can place sphagnum moss inside their hideout because the moss is a great option for moisture retention. A light misting of the tank is also recommended a few times a week, especially during periods of shedding. If you notice that your pet snake is struggling to shed, soak them in water. Should the problem persist, they could be affected by a reptile skin disease and may need to visit a professional exotic vet.
Humidity is important for the rainbow boa because it promotes healthy respiration and prevents reptile diseases. Getting these levels wrong simply leads to infection, including pneumonia in snakes, that can only be treated with antibiotics from a vet.
You Must Maintain Temperature and Light Levels
UV light is necessary for most reptiles because it provides a source of vitamin D that snakes can use to absorb calcium. Without it, they’re likely to suffer from skeletal diseases that could be fatal.
Light and heat are particularly important for rainbow boas. This means getting a lamp that offers UV light and a lamp that generates heat. Once you have a UV lamp, position it at least 18 inches from the basking area. The temperature should be maintained at 85℉ and 90℉ on the warm side and 75℉ on the cool end of the tank.
You also have the option of installing a basking lamp or a heating mat that you can place under the tank. Most reptile keepers prefer basking lamps where temperature can be controlled, and the snake has the option of moving into the light.
Rainbow Boas Enjoy Live and Frozen Mice
Rainbow boas aren’t too fussy when it comes to their food. They do well on frozen pinkies and mice that have been thawed and fed at room temperature. Adults need to be fed defrosted mice weekly or every 10 days, while juveniles should be fed fuzzies every seven days. Most boa keepers will only feed their two-year-old adult snakes every 14 days. A few keepers feed live mice, but this isn’t necessary with a rainbow boa.
In addition to regular feeding regimes, all boas must have access to fresh water. They enjoy a good soaking, so add a dish that is large enough to accommodate their size. Be careful with hatchlings and juveniles, though. These smaller snakes require dishes that are safe enough for them to consume water without the risk of drowning.
Rainbow Boas Enjoy Moisture-Retaining Substrate
To keep your rainbow boa healthy, add a soft or loose substrate to its enclosure. The best type of bedding is coconut husk because it is easy for the snake to crawl on and holds moisture. If you are going to add coconut coir or wood shavings, feed your rainbow boa outside of the enclosure. This prevents the snake from accidentally consuming the loose substrate. The reason you don’t want the boa to eat the husk or shavings is that they cannot digest this material. If consumed, it may lead to an intestinal blockage, which is very bad news for your pet snake.
You can use paper towels to line your snake’s tank because they won’t ingest it.
These Boas Aren’t High-Energy Pets
Another reason that rainbow boas aren’t recommended for beginners is that they’re pretty shy. You’ll find that a rainbow boa prefers to spend time in its hide rather than move about the tank. Novice reptile keepers may feel frustrated that their pet snake isn’t more active in its enclosure and try to move it. This will only cause stress and predispose the snake to illness. It also increases the risk of a snake bite.
The rainbow boa habitat should include a soft substrate, ornaments to hide under, and a few branches for the snake to climb on. A simple way to replicate their natural habitat is to add a few wood pieces, particularly around the basking area.
Rainbow Boas Can Be Conditioned to Tolerate Handling
Rainbow boas don’t mind being handled but only once they’re acclimated to touch. For beginners, this process can be time-consuming and frustrating, but gentle handling is the answer to building a lasting bond with your pet snake. These snakes have a calm temperament, but because they’re shy, they tend to become stressed quickly.
Allow the rainbow boa to get used to its new home before you handle it. After a few days, gently hold the snake by supporting the head and body. With time, patience, and careful attention to husbandry, you’ll have a fantastic pet snake that could spend the next 30 years with you!
