Peruvian Long-Tails

[Raven01]

I have an opportunity to acquire a Peruvian Long-Tail. It seems to be very curious and non-aggressive but, is still a juvenile and I've heard that can change as they reach sub-adult.

What I cannot seem to find is care sheets specific to Peruvian Long-Tails.
If I get this snake I want to have a habitat set up and dialed in before I take it home.

It is my understanding that this species inhabits a much more temperate climate than most other boas(Temp's down to 55 F).


1/ Is it beneficial to provide a mimicry of the season even if you have no breeding plans?

2/ Would BCC or BCI care sheets otherwise be applicable? Or should it include a lower RH?

It is driving me nuts that so little info on husbandry of Boa constrictor longicauda seems to be available. I would very much like to keep this snake and watch as it grows and changes but, if I cannot be relatively sure that I will be providing husbandry that ensures it stays health and has it's needs met I will have to pass.

[Raven01]

Feel free to share any personal experiences with this variety of boa. I need every bit of information I can get.
Thank-you.

[xFenrir]

Judging from looking around on the web, they follow more closely to BCC care than BCI.

[Evenstar]

Peruvian Long-tailed Boas, or Boa constrictor longicauda, require similar care to BCCs and BCIs. They tend to like slightly cooler temps as their native habitat is generally cooler - temps during the dry season can be as low as 55 F in Tumbes, Peru! A hotspot of 86 is pretty well accepted and ambient temps should be around 76. They are a slightly smaller subspecies too with adults usually maxing out at around 6-7ft. Generally, the subspecies such as B.c.longicauda, B.c.occidentalis, etc, are more closely related to BCCs than to BCIs. With the slight exception of the cooler temps, I would follow the care sheets for BCCs. These should serve you well.

Here are a couple of links with good information....

http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/boas_long.htm
http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/perul...ongicauda.html

If you have the opportunity to pick up a nice Long-tail, I would go for it. They are a more rare subspecies of boa and not often seen in the hobby. I think you'll enjoy him!

[Raven01]

Thank you both for your input.
This would be my first boa so, I was a bit hesitant due to the rarity and lack of information.
I did a bit more digging and it seems these little guys are rather forgiving as far as boa's go.
With the easily manageable size and, colour shift as they mature I can't believe they haven't really caught on.

Time to discuss commandeering another part of the house for a quarantine since I still have the new I-J Carpet occupying my QT area for the next month and a half.

[Gio]

Peruvian Long-tailed Boas, or Boa constrictor longicauda, require similar care to BCCs and BCIs. They tend to like slightly cooler temps as their native habitat is generally cooler - temps during the dry season can be as low as 55 F in Tumbes, Peru! A hotspot of 86 is pretty well accepted and ambient temps should be around 76. They are a slightly smaller subspecies too with adults usually maxing out at around 6-7ft. Generally, the subspecies such as B.c.longicauda, B.c.occidentalis, etc, are more closely related to BCCs than to BCIs. With the slight exception of the cooler temps, I would follow the care sheets for BCCs. These should serve you well.

Here are a couple of links with good information....

http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/boas_long.htm
http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/perul...ongicauda.html

If you have the opportunity to pick up a nice Long-tail, I would go for it. They are a more rare subspecies of boa and not often seen in the hobby. I think you'll enjoy him!

Ha ha!! I knew you'd nail this one and of course sighting my 2 favorite boa authors/breeders helps everybody! Kali always has great advice.

I too would say get one if you can. I hear they are actually very good pets and let's face it, a snake that tolerates cooler temps is kind of nice!

Keep us posted and of course PHOTOS!!

[Evenstar]

I would have thought they'd be more common in the trade as well. They are nice snakes! I think they don't breed quite as readily though. That may explain it.

Yes, you better definitely post pictures!!

[Raven01]

Hopefully I`ll have some sub-par photo`s tomorrow of this tiny Peruvian. He seems about ready to shed.
After he sheds and settles in I will upload some better photo`s and will update as he grows.
From what I`ve been able to ascertain these snakes like a fine wine improve with age.

Being the nervous snake-daddy I am, I must ask. Is a 6 month quarantine sufficient with boa`s? I have heard that they can carry IBD without symptoms longer than other infected snakes. As stoked as I am about adding this little guy I am concerned about my other reptiles still too.

[Evenstar]

Where IBD is concerned, there is no q/t time too long for boas. They can carry this disease a LONG time before ever showing symptoms. However, 6 months is about as good as you can get. Most boa owners q/t for 60-90 days with 60 being the bare minimum and 90 being the accepted norm. So you're doing well with a q/t of 6 months!

And to put your mind at ease, IBD is not nearly as prevalent as was once thought. There are a couple of threads here that go into that in much detail. But if your boa is healthy, eating well, and shedding well after these 6 months, I'd say you have nothing to worry about!

[Raven01]

PICS


Here is my newest addition. Looks like he is starting to shed.
A CB Peruvian Long Tail.
Admittedly, boaphiles are likely to find him plain but, his temperament has me totally enamored with him. Every bit as active and gentle as my I-J Carpet Python and, I can't wait to see the colour change as he ages.







Thanks for the advice and encouragement.

I will update with better pics after he has shed and acclimated to his new home.