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Colombian Boa ConstrictorCommon Boa, Colombian "Red Tail" Boa

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Boa constrictorPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Greg Rothschild

     The Colombian Boa or Common Boa has an exotic appearance, and is considered by many to be the most beautiful of the constrictors.

     This attractive snake is desirable because it is readily tamed and easy to maintain. The captive born and raised Colombian Boas are usually very docile. They can easily be kept by a beginner as well as the experienced herptile keeper. Very young snakes are delicate and subject to illness so look for small adults.

Boa constrictor imperator Photo  © Animal-World: David Brough

"The Boas that we see imported by the thousands from Colombia are not True Red Tailed Boas as they are Boa c. imperator which is found West of the Andes Mountains.      "These Colombian boas are considered to be non red tailed (although they do possess a red tail). They are instead referred to as "Common Boas " or Colombian Boas.      "True 'Red Tailed' Boas are the nominant race, Boa c. constrictor. The True Red Tailed Boas are the boas found East of the Andes Mountains in South America (Surinam, Guyana, Brazil, Peru, etc. ).   They get much larger than Colombian Boas and have very deep red tails." ...Vin Russo Vin Russo is one of the top breeders and most well-respected boa experts in the United States Cutting Edge Herpetological Inc.

For more Information on keeping Snakes see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Herptile

Distribution:      The Colombian Boa or Common Boa is found throughout a large range of South America. They are found in Colombia of course, but also in Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Hogg Island, Venezuela, and more.

Description:      The Colombian Boa constrictor will grow to between six and nine feet, though they can reach up to 12 feet. The males are smaller than the females. This snake is robust, with a triangular head separated from the body by a thin neck.
     Their natural coloring is a pattern of elongated, saddle like, pale gray patches on a background of rich chocolate to almost chestnut brown. The sides are paler with dark brown, diamond shaped spots that have white centers. The undersides are yellowish, spotted with black. The chestnut brown coloring becomes progressively brighter until it is a brick red or pure red, and they are thus sometimes called the 'Colombian Red Tailed Boa'. This name is a bit misleading as the True Red Tail Boa Boa c. constrictor, is the nominant race. (See the box above.)

Feeding:       They are a constrictor and their diet consists of mice, rats, small rabbits and the large snakes can also eat chickens. Feed once or twice a week, depending on the size of the food and the size of the snake. As you get to know your snake, you'll learn what its feeding needs are. Fresh water in a good size water dish should always be available.

Environment:      These snakes are best kept singly except when they are being bred, but you may be able to keep them with other snakes the same size as long as you feed them separately.
     The Colombian Boa constrictor needs a good size cage. Its' housing can be set up as a woodland type terrarium, but keep the decor to the minimum. See the terrarium set-ups described under Basic Reptile and Amphibian Care for more information. A good size water dish will provide moderate humidity as well as a place for soaking and drinking. A heavy limb for climbing on, resting on, and to aid in shedding makes the perfect decor.

Temperature and Lighting requirements:      They do well at 82 ° to 95 ° F in the daytime and 72 ° to 80 ° F at night. Full spectrum lighting is important for your snakes well being and its long-term maintenance. You can use a substrate heating device for basic heating. For additional heat, you can add a full spectrum incandescent daytime bulb and a blacklight bulb or red incandescent bulb for nighttime heating. Be sure you use a thermometer so you don't let the terrarium become overheated!
     For more detailed information see the Basic Reptile and Amphibian Care: Housing.

Breeding/Reproduction:      These snakes, if not babies, need to be probe sexed for positive sex identification, and they bear live young. Their gestation period can range from four to six months. The litters are large with up to 30 babies, each about 24 inches (61 cm) long and resembling the coloring and patterning of their parents. They are fairly easy to breed in captivity.

Availability:    The Colombian Boa constrictors or Common boas are very common and readily available due to captive breeding.

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Latest Comments
I just got a red tail boa about 4 days ago. She is a very nice snake has never showed any agression so far. She is about 8 months. Im not quite sure if she is big for 8 months she is 3 1/2 feet long. Her name is Athena. If anyone knows if she is big or small for her age could you please email me at treydj1395@yahoo.com trey 2010-01-25
After helping my older sister care for her 3 RTB's she finally bought me one this year as a newborn. Right off the bat she's shown great companionship, nestling in my hair all day, She's now 6 months old and I cant wait for the many of years to come. I named her Bella Morte, "beautiful dead". Mz Bundy 2009-12-19
I just was given a boa from my Bio teacher, I named him Garfunkel. He's so friggin cute! Autumn 2009-12-06
I got my rtb about 3 years ago and she was a year old when I got her. She never gets the grey color I see in others, she is just that red color all over, even her head. She's a bit moody and I don't let many ppl hold her cuz if you move the wrong way she will bite. I've been bitten once but she's tried many times (most of it was my fault). She is about 7 foot now, her name is rainboa :P. The main thing I don't like about her is she will not sit still, she moves everywhere! Anonymous 2009-12-04
My fauther got one, now I got one! brandon 2009-11-22
Some of the coolest comments:
Hello, my name is Chrissy and I myself own a 6ft RTB. His name is Alice (after Alice Cooper,named before I owned him). I would like to share with everyone Alice's and my story. I have owned Alice for 2 1/2yrs Back in April he was attacked by a rat (his food) very badly. The rat ate 6 quarter sized holes in his body about 1/4 inch deep. I took him to the vet immediatly, while the doctor tended to his wounds and told me he would heal in time we returned home. Alice became very sick about a week later. He would barely move, and became very weak so we returned back to the vet. The vet pushed for him to be put down. As I sat there in the room holding him crying I said to him " I love you please dont leave me, you need to fight" with that being said he began to move his head from my lap up to my neck. I knew then that we were going to fight and I then refused to give up, because in my heart and what he showed it wasnt time to say goobye. I began mixing vitamins up to put in a syringe and force him to eat 4 times a day. I would soak him in the bathtub pick his scabs clean and put ointment on his wounds 2 times a day. We did this for 3 months everyday. There were many times I thought he wouldnt make it and came very close to loosing him. I would fall asleep holding him and when I awoke he would be right there either under the blankets with me or laying on my chest. Never once in all this medical attention did he ever show any signs of aggressiveness but I knew he was in pain. I would give him a little childrens tylonal before the baths to help ease the pain while I cleaned his wounds. Then the day came and he began to get stronger and show approvement. It was amazing! I then knew there was hope and let nature now take its course! Alice stopped eating for 8 months after that attack that really worried me that he would starve to death. Today he is eatting like a pig lol i guess to make up for the 8 months he went without. He is a very healthy, lovable, beautiful, boy. I have taken him back to his vet and they are amazed at how he has recovered. Him and me have a very close loving relationship and built a unbreakable bond. Our friends and family call him a spoiled mama's boy, but to be honest I wouldnt have it any other way! chrissy 2010-01-14
My rtb, Forbes, is the best snake ever. He will be 3 in July and has never even attempted to bite. I have even needed to clean bedding out of his mouth with no problems from him, and he doesn't mind dogs sniffing at him when he crawls on the floor. He will lay on me for as long as I will rub him - but I can definitely see a difference in his interaction with me as opposed to anyone else. My boy is very spoiled and he loves it. I take him out of the cage nearly every single day, and he goes swimming and takes drives with me in the summer. I will be sad when he is just too big for me to handle alone. We are in the process of having a floor to ceiling enclosure built for him. A lot of people ask how big will he get or how long will he live, and when I tell them, the reaction is usually 'what are you going to do with him then?' I'm going to keep him, of course! These reptiles are a true commitment and should not be a short term novelty to 'show-off'. Before purchasing one, be prepared to handle them regulary for many, many years - intentions otherwise are just not fair to them. kb 2008-06-26
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
The info you have on Columbian Red Tail Boas is great. I used to have one but unfortunately i had to give it away because it got way to big for my house. Shaun Deluca 2007-03-28
Hey, I really like the info on your ted tailed boa. I run a REPTILE RESCUE, and i have rescued two rtb's that people have just abandoned. I have had them for about two years now. They were very, very, very aggresive when i first got them. Unfortunatly my female got sick and there was nothing that i could do for her but have her put down. It broke my heart. But my male is now very gentle and is doing great. But i have recently bought a true pastel colombian boa. I am very pleased with her. She is my baby. Thanks for all the great info on RTB'S. Keep it coming. Mike Browning 2006-11-23

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