Brazilian Rainbow Boa
Caresheet provided by Central Pets
Common Name: Boa - Brazilian Rainbow
Other Common Names: unknown
Scientific Name: Epicrates cenchria cenchria (Full Taxonomy)

Breed Group: Boa

Origin or Range: South America

Relative Size: Average (as compared to other snakes)

Average Lifespan: 25 year(s)

Compatibility: Average (as compared to other snakes)

Animal Category: Reptiles » Snakes

Animal Description: Named for its iridescent scales, the Brazilian Rainbow Boa is one of the most sought after constrictors available on the market. They are one of nine subspecies of rainbow boa that can be found in South America (most commonly in Venezuela, Surinam, and Guyana). Unfortunately, in the wild, as rainforests are cleared for farming, their domain is being threatened.

Brazilian Rainbows tend to be quite nervous in captivity, but as they age and with regular handling, they usually calm down and can make good pets. They are moderately hard to keep and are not recommended as a beginner’s snake.

The average adult Brazilian Rainbow will grow to a length of 4 to 6 feet. They will grow quickly and are very aggressive eaters from the start. Newborns will appear dull or faded and begin to show their colors as they approach a length of 30 inches. In captivity, they may live as long as 25 years. Round-bodied boas of medium length, their heads are notably wider than their necks. Brazilian Rainbows have a reddish brown background color and black ringlike markings olong the back. They have three black stripes on the top of the head Their iridescent scales reflect rays of light in an array of beautiful colors.

Specific Care Information:

Relative Care Ease: Relatively Difficult

Keep the overall enclosure temperature around 80 degrees during the day, with a warmer area between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. At night the temperature should drop to about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity should be kept at about 80%. Provide branches for climbing, hiding spots, and a water dish large enough for the snake to soak in.

Breeding and Propagation:

Relative Breeding Ease: Relatively Difficult

Brazilian Rainbows will reach sexual maturity between 2 1/2 and 4 years. Using more than one male to initiate breeding may aid the breeding process. Captives breed between October and April. Choose large, healthy snakes for breeding and induce copulation by lowering the temperature a few degrees (68 – 72 at night and low 80's during the day). In addition, reducing the light to 8 hours seems to be advantageous. Misting the snakes with warm water is also a good idea. Females will gestate for 115 to 135 days and give birth to live young. Litters vary from 10 to 30 babies