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CLASSIFICATION
phyllum : chordata
class : reptilia
order : squamata
family : boidae
sub-species : boa constrictor imperator
(colombian boa)

NATURAL HISTORY
origin : snakes appeared 120 million years ago.
the census of snakes is about 2600 species.
geographic distribution : from Mexico to Equator.
habitat : tropical forests.
juridic statute : CITES appendix II




BIOLOGY
adult size : about 2,40 m (8ft) ; females grow larger than males.
sexual maturity : about 3-4 years.
breeding : males at 4 years old / females at 6'
gestation : about 4 months
litter : 10 to 40 live young.
shed : once a month for young boas
average of 6 times a year for adults.
longevity : 25 years.
boas are nocturnal/crepuscular and moderated arboreal.

senses
Jacobson organ : + + + (chemical stimuli are catched by the tongue and transported in the buccal cavity to the Jacobson organ which send the informations to the brain ; this fonction is used in recognizing, attack, prey tracking, sexual behavior...).
smell : + +
hearing : - (snakes don't hear sounds but are receptive to mechanical shaking)




 FEEDING
rodents : prekilled rodents avoid the risk for the snake (attacks and wounds).
1-2 mices every 5-7 days for young boas (until 1 year old)
1-2 rats every 7-10 days over 1 year old
1-3 rats every 10-20 days over 2 years old (replaced by guinea pigs or rabbits for the big snakes)


HOUSING
housing
until 2 years old : 90L x 50W x 50H cm (35"L x 20"W x 20"H)
>2 years old : 120L x 60W x 60H cm (47"L x 24"W x 24"H)
big specimens : 200L x 60W x 60H cm (78"L x 24"W x 24"H)

heating
snakes need a fresh and a heat zone.
beware the animal will never get into direct contact with the heating source.
day : 26-28°C / 79-82°F (fresh zone)
         32-35°C / 90-95°F (heat zone)
night : 25-28°C / 77-82°F

water
the water bowl has to be large enough to keep a good humidity rate and has to be scrubbed every 3 days.

substrate
newspaper, Astroturf, beech chips.
do not use soil, sand, plants (bacterial proliferation), pine and cedar shavings (poisonous oils).
the substrate has to be cleaned and for Astroturf disinfected with household bleach (rinse thoroughly and dry completely) as soon as it's soiled.
the enclosure has to be cleaned and disinfected (household bleach or 70° alcohol) every 4-6 weeks.

light
day/night alternation : 12/12 hours
beware : U.V. rays are dangerous for the snakes eyes (conjunctivitis)

other setups
the snake needs one or 2 hiding places (ex : 1 in each zone) : a cardboard box or synthetic plants can be used.
a solid branch can be placed in the enclosure (many boas - especially young boas - like to stay on branches).





DISEASES
ectoparasites
the most frequent mites are ophionyssus natricis
they are small, dark-red or black, can be seen on the snake's body and in the water bowl.
symptoms : anorexia, excessive soaking, excited or aggressive snake.

gastro-enteritis
symptoms : vomiting, abnormal defecation, diarrhea, weight loss, anorexia.
causes : endoparasites, bacteria (Salmonella, Aeromonas).

gum infection (stomatitis)
symptoms : apathy, anorexia, open mouth, pus, excessive salivation.
causes : wound, stress, vitamin C deficiency, substrate ingestion.

respiratory diseases
usually in imported animals.
symptoms : respiratory problems, buccal and nasal secretions, anorexia.
causes : viral, parasitical or bacterial infection.

cutaneous infection, mycosis
symptoms : little white vesicles under the scales, seep cutaneous zone, brown and wrinkled ventral scales, loss of ventral scales, excrescences.
cause : wrong hygiene (humid substrate)

constipation
causes : too low humidity rate, too low heating, obstruction by prey's fur.

shed problems
causes : weakness, disease, too low humidity rate.

star-gazing
it's not a disease but a symptom : the head and the 1st third of the snake is up ; this behavior, if prolonged and frequent, shows a central nervous system affection (bacterial or viral infection, tumor, intoxication, traumatism, encephalitis)

salmonella
symptoms : none, sometimes diarrhea, anorexia, apathy.
a lot of reptiles are carriers of salmonella and this disease can be very serious for humans.
-> always wash your hands after handling reptiles, never let children or pregnant women handle reptiles, never scrub the water bowl or substrate in the kitchen sink.




 LINKS
boa constrictor :
http://www.anapsid.org/boa.html

reptile care info (NERD) :
http://www.newenglandreptile.com/care.html

salmonellosis :
http://www.anapsid.org/aasalmonella.html

mites
http://www.anapsid.org/mites.html

behavior and diseases in reptiles :
http://www.anapsid.org/mainhealthbehave.html#Reptile%20Health