Animal-World > Reptiles and Amphibians > Snakes > Colombian Boa Constrictor

Colombian Boa ConstrictorCommon Boa, Colombian "Red Tail" Boa

Family: Boidae

• Puzzles
• Postcards

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.

Add your comment here!
Click to see All the comments!
Latest Comments
I just got a two foot columbian boa. I love her to death and want to get one more. Steven 2009-10-25
I own a three year old red tail boa named Trina. I love her so much, one year ago she got bitten really badly by a rat all the way down to the flesh. I freaked out crying thinking she was going to die, she didn't eat for seven months. My local pet store owner helped me several times to force feed her and then one day just poof, she was back to her old self again. Now she's huge, loves to be held and spoiled, and she eats on her own again. You can't even notice the scars on her back anymore either and I have totally come to realize just how much I love her and how much a part of my life she has become. Tasia 2009-09-04
About a year and a half ago I got a little RTB from a guy who was moving. The guy didn't feed him enough and kept him in too small of an enclosure, but my little Boo was still a sweet boy. He is now a spoiled healthy boy who loves going outside and sitting in our apple tree (we just refer to it as "Boo's tree"). He loves resting his head against my neck with his body draped along my arm, getting his chin rubbed, and cuddling up to people's chests. If anyone else holds him though he will touch me with his nose every so many minutes then go back to the person. Before I got him I never thought that a snake could have such an amazing personality! My mom was terrified of snakes until she met Boo, now she tells everyone about him and only calls him Boo Boo. Whenever I tell someone about my little boy they usually say something like "you're crazy!" then they ask how big he will get and when I tell them they ask me if I'm going to get rid of him then. I tell them that I won't get rid of him and that I love him very much and can't imagine my life without my Boo! Libby 2009-08-10
I have a Boa that was left in the mail slot of the front door of a building I live in. It was about 14 inches long at the time. It's been 2 1/2 years now. I lost the fear I had of it even though it has bitten me 8 times. It's 5'4", I think it's a female and I love my snake Wanda. She use to be very agressive but now is tame. I think someone was trying to scare me with it and I got suspicious when I got a call from a neighbor telling me that there was something on my door, come to find out it was a snake. The best pet I have ever had. LUIS 2009-04-08
My husband and I currently own two Ball Pythons (3yrs.)&(8 months) and a Columbian RTB (1yr) and are totally content with their behaviors. Reluctant at first, due to my long standing phobia of snakes, I was quickly proved wrong and fell in love with them. Each snake has a wonderful unique personality and handles very well. Both pythons and the Boa react well to handling and feeding. Many small children have handled all three and never once has either of them showed any signs of aggression or fright. I would honestly recommend these pets to any one interested in a long lasting, easy-to-care for new family member. Victoria Ryan 2009-02-02
Some of the coolest comments:
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

Back to Snakes