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Colombian Boa Constrictor

Common Boa, Colombian "Red Tail" Boa

Family: BoidaeBoa 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

Geographic Distribution Boa constrictor Data provided by GBIF.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Boidae

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.

Author: Clarice Brough, CRS

Lastest Comments on Colombian Boa Constrictor View all 76 comments on Colombian Boa Constrictor Add Your Comment

Carrie - 2012-02-06 I just got my first Red Tail Hog Island cross today.She is fat and very alert. We named her Josephine. I have 8 other snakes in the house. But, she is my first large snake. I am very excited to watch her grow. My other half is scared to death of my pets. Any tips of how to get him over it? I wish he shared my love for reptiles. Reply

Trevor - 2012-02-02 I've had my RTB (Ka'ne) for about a 1/2 year, never had any problems, and she has been the best. But due to financial problems, i haven't been able to feed her , her normal 2 mice a week, and had to wait a week and a half, i went to grab her and she bit me, i know it is my fault for not feeding her on time, but just want to know if once they bite you, and taste your blood, will they continue to bite you for no reason, or will i be able to play with her like normal after feeding? Reply

LaTischa Franzmeier - 2011-07-19 I recently picked up a very young RTB from a local petstore. She was very weak and thin and wouldn't grip my fingers. She did a little bit of climbing around her terrarium, but she seemed to stare off into space a lot, and this morning, I found her dead with her mouth slightly on edge. The space on her cloaca was a light orangey red yesterday and appeared to be swollen, but didn't feel hard. She seemed coordinated enough, but just weak. There are no mites that I can see. Does this sound like IBD? I am freaking out because I am babysitting a friend's python, and I don't want her to catch it. Click For Replies (2) Clarice Brough - 2011-08-01 Wow, so sorry about loosing your boa. From what I understand, IBD is very hard to diagnose, and takes a liver biopsy to be sure - is what I've heard. It's also primarily transmited by mites. So as long as your area is clean, and you haven't seen any mites during the time you kept your snake.. I'd guess you're okay taking care of your friend's python LaTischa Franzmeier - 2012-01-10 No worries. It's been a few months and that definitely wasn't it. Just a bad pet store. Reply

Nathan - 2011-11-13 I have a RTB and as my second reptile she is amazing! My first rep was an iguana and while he was cool he unfortunately passed away from old age. Although scratch is my first RTB, and RTBS aren't recommended for first timers, I found with plenty of love, patience, and the all knowing interwebs it has been more than manageable. I knew I was on the right track when the second day I had her, I fed her and she ate immediately. That's not to say she didn't give me a kiss to get to know me lol. But one of the best things about snakes is that if they bite you its because you were doing something stupid. She's currently 7 and I can't wait for many more happy years with her. Reply

Ernest Williams - 2011-09-23 I just bought a year old from Boas and Balls. I payed $215 for him, I named him Agent Orange. He is active and healthy looking,he eats well. I love his cream/orange body color,orange/brown saddles and red/orange tail. They still some of his brothers and sister for sale at $150-550. He 3 feet long is that small for 1? Click For Replies (1) David Brough - 2011-09-24 He will get bigger thats for sure. How big are the brothers and sister? Reply

kb - 2008-06-26 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. Click For Replies (1) Ernest Williams - 2011-09-23 You should never let an RTB on your floors,unless you have just cleaned the floors with a pet safe cleaner. You should also not ware shoes that have worn outside,while you are in your house. You should never let animals near your RTB. You should take a shower before handling your RTB. Captive bred RTB have a poor immune system. It's very common for a young Boa to die from parasites just because the owner was reckless and careless enough to not take all precautions before feeding or handling there snake. Reply

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