Boa and Python Care Sheet

Care sheet for Boas and Pythons
The Care of commonly kept Boas and Pythons

By Kevin Stevens ¡V Herpetologist. Former President and Journal Editor of the International Herpetological Society

Some species can grow large, but the larger species should not be attempted to be kept in the average household. Even some of the smaller species can grow quite large For example: Common boas about 9 feet, Royal Pythons 5 feet, Carpet pythons 8 feet. The larger snakes should be tended to and handled by two people.
Some species come from temperate climates just a little warmer than in the U.K. Many of these species can be kept in a similar manner as species such as Corn snakes, please ask for a copy of the Corn snake care sheet in addition to this one. Species include Rosy boas and Sand boas (replace the substrate recommended for Corn snakes with sand). The majority come from tropical climates and are kept very differently. They often need higher temperatures and more humidity. Species include Common boas, Royal pythons, Carpets pythons and Blood pythons.
Hatchlings need to be kept in small Plastic tanks such as Exo-terra Faunarium¡¦s. It is best to start with smaller tanks, and replace them as they grow ¡V feeding response is much better. Heat mats heating no more than 50% can be placed under the plastic tank. Thermostats should be used to control the temperature. Lighting is not required and can often cause feeding response problems. These species do not have any UVB requirements, and bright lighting can be detrimental to good feeding patterns.
For many species a humid area must be provided to aid in the shedding process. This can be in the form of a cork bark hide or plastic box filled with damp sphagnum moss. Dry hides and a water bowl that allows bathing should be provided. Orchid bark is often the best choice for floor covering substrates for species that need higher levels of humidity such as Royal pythons, Common boas and it should be kept mildly damp. Lightly spray the vivarium with tepid water once a day throughout the life of the snake. Beech chip is often better for species that come from drier areas such as Children pythons and Carpet pythons, but it is still important to provide the moss area.
When buying a hatchling or juvenile it is best to feed every four days on suitable sized defrosted rodents. The most likely would be fuzzies or rat pups at about 3 at a time. As they grow increase the size of the food accordingly ¡V remember bring them back to let us have a look we can give you a better idea of the correct size food. An adult would be best fed about every week to ten days on 2 or perhaps three food items ¡V by then many species take large prey items such as adult rats. Defrost the food naturally (do not microwave or place in hot water), this will take up to about three hours at room temperature. Sometimes warming the food will help with fussy feeders. Do not handle for two or three days after feeding, this often causes the snake to regurgitate their meal.


Usually young snakes shed their skins (slough) about every four weeks while growing. This can be a little longer with boa and python species. The eyes will go ¡§milky¡¨ and the skin will dull and often look ¡§milky¡¨ too. At this point many snakes will not feed until sloughing is complete. It should take about seven days before the snake sloughs, if healthy and in the correct conditions it should come off in one piece. If not, try increasing the humidity next time. Make sure all attached skin is removed including the eye caps and tip of the tail. The best way of looking for retained eye caps is to examine the skin ¡V if there are two holes where the eyes were the caps have not come off. Check the snake itself for any remaining skin on the tail. Soaking the snake in a wet pillow case for a few hours should release any skin. Eye caps should only be removed by Coast to Coast or a vet.
Once a little larger vivarium size should be increased, and for many species a swap of heating system. Many species are more susceptible to ventral skin problems (burns and necrotic conditions) and respiratory infections when heated with heat mats. We advise that species such as Royal pythons, Common boas and the like should not be heated with mats once around 20 inches long. Ceramic heating systems will provide the 32C temperature required by many species during the day. Remember to install the heater at one end of the vivarium to provide a hot and cool end of the vivarium. Night time temperatures should drop by about 6 to 8C. Fit a guard around the heater and a quality thermostat. Otherwise provide similar conditions as hatchlings but on a larger scale. Very large vivaria will require additional heating such as tubular heaters. Wooden constructed vivaria with safety glass doors are best. Converted aquariums are not recommended.
Daily spot clean the vivarium removing all faecal matter and any shed skin. Change water daily. Complete a full strip down every four weeks replacing all substrates and thoroughly cleaning all the vivarium and bowls etc. Always use a reptile disinfectant. There is a small risk of catching salmonella from snakes (as with all animals), so ensure vivarium and your own personal hygiene is good. Always wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap after handling.


It is vitally important that you have considered the following points
1. Boas and pythons often live for around 20 years.
2. You will need to keep frozen rodents in the freezer for feeding.
3. It is unfair not to appreciate other family members fears of reptiles. .
4. They are escape artists - there are no easy solutions to finding an escaped snake - don't lose them in the first place!
5. All animals can bite, including snakes. Although boas and pythons are harmless with no venom, it can be a shock if it should happen and a large snake will hurt!
6. The boa and python family includes family members that grow very large. Coast to Coast do not sell the large species, but even so species such as an adult Common boa are more than a handful! Ask to see an adult if unsure.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]