Reptiles, March 2011, The other BOA

Dumeril's boas. They are found in the islands of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, just off the eastern coast of Africa. Theirs also other two species of boid snakes that share the island as well, the Madagascar ground Boa (B.madagascariensis) and the Madagascar tree boa (B.manditra). The Dumeril's Boa are found in dry scrub and thorn bushes, dry forests, and near human developments. Often live in caves and crevices, heavy brush, leaf litter and abandoned mammal burrows. Also they make their homes near a permanent source of water. In the wild their diets are almost anything they can hunt down or find (to catch); small mammals, birds, and even lizards. Practically no boas are imported from the wild. They are medium sized and have a stocky build, which means it’s powerful, so you must handle them with percussion. Adult sizes range from 4 to 6 feet. Boas can array of colors, such as peaches, tans, browns, grays, green, reds, and mahogany. A cage is a good idea for this kind of snakes (4Lx2Wx14inch.T); this should be a good cage size for a adult Boa, with plenty of space. They need cool temperatures of 75 (F) and warm side of 85 (F) in its cage, but they spend most of their time on the cool end. Their diets can consist of mice, rat’s guinea pigs or rabbits. A good feeding regimen consists of one appropriate sized food item every 7 to 10 days. For adult, sized Boas feed them every 10 to 15 days. Always provide fresh water, it’s a must. Overall I wouldn’t want a Dumeril's Boa in my house because it’s a pretty good sized snakes which I don’t think I could be their for it at all times when needed, and its a dirty job and clean after them.