Tarahumara Mountain Boa- Husbandry Questions

[Barotar]

Hello! I'm new to this forum and new to boas, but not new to snakes in general. I'm interested in Tarahumara mountain boas and have found one I'm interested in purchasing, it is coming from a reputable breeder. I am going to be speaking with him later today and will certainly ask him these questions as well, but in the mean time thought I'd ask here, too.

I'm finding lots of good info on where these snakes are from and all, but very little on their husbandry. More specifically, temperatures. I've been reading that they are more tolerant of cooler temps. How cool is cool? Will it be comfortable at room temp (71-73) as long as he has a hot spot with heat tape (on a thermostat and checked with a heat gun)? Or is that too cool? What does that actual hot spot need to be?

Also, I've been reading that they are fed more slowly than other snakes. How slow is slow? Once every two weeks? Longer?

Thank you for any advice. I really appreciate it!

[bcr229]

I have several. Husbandry is the same as for any other BCI. I run mine at 78*F cool/ambient with a 88-90*F hot spot in a rack. Mine do like to climb though and they would do very well in a large display enclosure as adults.

For feeding I have a simple formula: up to 12 months feed every 7-10 days. After that take the boa's age, add 1, and that's the weekly interval. So a one year old eats every two weeks. Once they mature I feed females monthly, males every 5-6 weeks. Prey should leave a very slight lump.

Mine all remained defensive and nippy up until they were about 18 months old. Since this locality remains small they remain prey for a longer period of time in their lives, which translates to more defensive behavior than the common BCI's.

[Reinz]

Welcome to the forum Baro.

My experience with Boas is just with adult Redtails, so I will refrain from answering your questions.

Bcr will probably stop by with answers from experience.

[Barotar]

Thank you both!

bcr229, do you feed mice or rats? The one I'm looking at is one year old and on hopper rats. Someone on another group told me hers are one year old but are on fuzzy mice. So I'm confused now, which should I feed if I decide to buy the little guy? I understand they need to be fed and grown slowly.

[bcr229]

Appropriately-sized rats are fine. If you can find a rabbit breeder close to you, ask for the stillborn and culled kits/fuzzies, as your boa can eat those when it gets a bit bigger and it's a lower-fat meal than rats are.