Boa Constrictors As Pets
Boa Constrictors As Pets
From Lianne McLeod, DVM,
Introduction to the Boa Constrictor
There are several subspecies of boa constrictor (species name boa constrictor) that are found in the pet trade. Red tailed boas (Boa constrictor constrictor) are commonly found in the pet trade, and Boa constrictor imperator can be found as well, among other less common subspecies. The care for all the species is fairly similar.
From Lianne McLeod, DVM,
Introduction to the Boa Constrictor
There are several subspecies of boa constrictor (species name boa constrictor) that are found in the pet trade. Red tailed boas (Boa constrictor constrictor) are commonly found in the pet trade, and Boa constrictor imperator can be found as well, among other less common subspecies. The care for all the species is fairly similar.
When choosing a boa constrictor, look for the following signs of a healthy snake:
- alert
- firm, muscular body
- no loose fold of skin
- tongue flicking
- clear eyes
- no signs of retained shed (check eyes, end of tail)
- no visible external parasites
- clean vent
- scales healthy, no brown or curled edges
- no wounds on skin
- reacts to handling by coiling firmly (but gently) on hand/arm, and relaxing a bit after a while
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