In nature Imperial boa lives in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, all countries Central America and Mexico. Spectacularly colored snake 2-3 m long (up to 5.5 m). The main light brown, reddish or coffee background of the back is covered with wide dark brown bands with bright yellow spots inside, and on the sides there are diamond-shaped dark spots bordered by a light rim and with a yellow spot inside. However, the pattern on the body of a boa constrictor is so diverse that a number of other options can be described. In the sun, the scales of the boa constrictor sparkle with a strong metallic sheen, flowing and shimmering when the snake moves.

The imperial boa constrictor is found in forests, among bushes, in dry places, and it enters the middle belts of mountains. In captivity, it willingly consumes rabbits, mice, small rats, hamsters and chickens. The imperial boa constrictor is a calm phlegmatic animal, it easily becomes tame, does not bite if it is not hungry. During the breeding season, which is different time in each subspecies, an ordinary boa constrictor brings from 15 to 64 live cubs up to 50 cm long. In two years they grow up to 3 m long and become sexually mature.

Sexual differences: There are no fundamental differences in the size and coloration of males and females. In males, the tail is long with a characteristic thickening at the base, from the anus it is cylindrical, then passes into a cone. In females, the tail is shorter, without thickening at the base, cone-shaped. In males, relatively large, claw-like rudiments of the hind limbs, located on the sides near the anus, are clearly visible; in females, they are smaller and not so prominent. Females are usually more massive and larger than males.

Boas live for about 10 years, but sometimes much longer - up to 23 years.

Common boas are popular inhabitants of home terrariums, the maintenance of which requires a careful approach. How to care for an ordinary boa constrictor at home?

The description of common boas was first made in 1758. As soon as they did not perceive these snakes: they were terribly afraid, considered them to be monsters living in the jungle, attacking travelers, then they began to value their skin and perceive it only as material for expensive things. But today the attitude towards boas has changed, and that's it. more people they are kept as pets.

The size and weight of common boas can vary greatly. The body length is from 100 to 500 centimeters, and these snakes can weigh from 1 to 15 kilograms.

The habitat of boas extends from Argentina to Mexico.

The diet of boas depends on their size, they can eat frogs, rodents, birds and other snakes, and the young also feed on insects. Puberty in boas, it occurs at 3-5 years. Common boas are viviparous, fertility can range from 5 to 60 babies. Average duration life for about 20 years.

Varieties of boas kept in captivity

In terrariums most often contain 3 types of boas:

  • A subgroup consisting of hybrids of the imperial boa constrictor with other subspecies;
  • A subgroup consisting of artificially bred colored forms: black boas, albinos, striped boas;
  • A subgroup consisting of individuals bred from breeding pure subspecies. This subgroup is most popular in Europe.

Terrarium for common boas

Young individuals are kept in completely transparent terrariums. The dimensions of the terrarium are 60 by 60 by 60 centimeters. Ventilation must be ensured, for this, holes are made on the back wall and gaps are left between the sliding doors.


Common boa constrictor in the exotarium of the Belgorod Zoo

Adult boas are kept in frame terrariums, the base of which is made of drywall. The back wall is finished with foam from the inside, the bottom too. The rest of the walls are made of glass, they must open. They also provide ventilation through holes in the rear wall and gaps between the panes. The size of the terrarium for adult boas should not be less than 150 by 90 by 90 centimeters.

Incandescent lamps are used for lighting and heating the terrarium, but they must be secured so that the boa constrictor does not get burned.


In a terrarium with boas, a background temperature of 22 degrees is maintained, and in a warm corner, under a lamp, it should warm up to 40 degrees. There is no need to install special or ultrasonic lamps.

Large chips can be poured into the bottom of the terrarium, but there should not be small sawdust in it, as they can get into the nostrils of the boa constrictor and provoke problems with the respiratory tract.

Juveniles often burrow into the substrate, so plain paper can be used.

Feeding boas

Boa constrictors should be fed in a way that does not overfeed them, as these snakes have weak stomachs and often have problems with regurgitation.


Boas can be fed a variety of food rodents and small chickens. If a boa constrictor for a long time feed one type of food, then he may refuse food altogether.

Newborn boas are given 1 mouse in 7-10 days, later they begin to be fed 1 time in 14 days, but at the same time they are given 2 mice. At the age of about 1 year, pythons begin to give young rats, they are fed every 10-14 days and give 1 rat. Adult females are fed once every 3 weeks, they are given 2 large rats, and males are given 1 large rat every 3 weeks.

Boas must have access to clean water. If not just a drinking bowl is used, but a large container, then the boas will be happy to swim in it, because the water will have to be changed daily.

Boa(Boa constrictor) native to the forests of Central and South America. The length of the boa rarely exceeds 3 meters. He does well in a very spacious comfortable terrarium with local ground heating, climbing trunks and a large water tank. The temperature during the day should be within 25-32 "C, at night it can drop to 20-22" C.

Healthy boas have an excellent appetite, which can lead to obesity. And obese boas are practically incapable of reproduction. Therefore, they should be fed little by little and as varied as possible. So, young boas eat domestic and white mice, voles, young rats, hamsters, sparrows, chickens, chicks, pigeons; adults - rats, guinea pigs, kittens, puppies, rabbits. It should be noted that when feeding boas with feral domestic pigeons, there is a risk of infection with salmonellosis.

Common boas have repeatedly bred in the terrarium. To do this, you need to keep the most common forms of this species. About getting offspring from Boa constrictor occidentaens And Boa constrictor ottoni, as well as cases of hybridization of subspecies have been reported less frequently. This terrarium boa has become almost a pet, but, unfortunately, a purebred subspecies is very rare.

Special preparation for breeding boas is not required. They mate from August to September and from February to May. Mating lasts several hours after restless climbing in the terrarium, sometimes for a whole day. The terrariumists determine the gestation period in different ways - from 17 to 42 weeks. Finally, the female begins to lay eggs - about every three minutes, a transparent egg, inside of which young boas are visible. Some snakes immediately stick their heads out of the egg and begin to explore their surroundings with their tongue.

Childbirth lasts 2 - 3 hours. As a result, the female boa constrictor loses about half of its weight (about 4 kilograms). There are usually 20 - 30 snakes in a litter (but can be over 60). The number of unfertilized eggs or dead fetuses also varies.

There are very productive producers. One female gave birth to about 350 live boas in 9 years. Naturally, important role here played a strong constitution of the animal and good conditions.

Most newborn boas are released from the shell very quickly, and without any help from a person. But some help may be helpful. Sometimes it is necessary to help in tearing the shell of the egg. If newborn snakes, connected to the yolk sac by an umbilical cord about 15 centimeters long, cannot immediately bite it on their own, the umbilical cord should be cut with scissors. The part of it that remains with the animal (about 10 centimeters) soon dries up and disappears after a few days. Bathing in warm water immediately after birth, it helps the snake to get rid of the mucus that covers it at birth.

Newborn boas have a length of 35 - 55 centimeters and a weight of 45 - 95 grams. In most cases, their length is 50 centimeters, weight - about 60 grams. The characteristic coloration persists throughout life.

Growing boas, as a rule, does not present any particular difficulties. Already 5 hours after birth, they make their first attempt to catch a mouse, but do not eat it. At three weeks of age, the first molt occurs, and the skin becomes strong, yellowish in color. After that, the strongest boas begin to eat adult mice. Sparrow chicks are a special delicacy.

At first, boas grow slowly, by the year they reach a length of about 80 centimeters and a weight of 300 grams. IN good conditions they can become sexually mature at three years of age.

The common boa constrictor (Boa constrictor), due to its frequent mention in adventure stories and a very beautiful pattern that can vary significantly, is one of the most famous snakes in the whole world. Its other names, such as "sacred snake" or "serpent of the gods", are associated with the cults of the indigenous population of South America and Africa. Although there is a lot of talk about the common boa constrictor terrible legends, V South America it has never been considered a source of danger to humans.


HABITAT

The common boa constrictor comes from the area located between southern Mexico and Argentina, as well as from the Lesser Antilles. He prefers to be on the ground near water bodies in arid areas, in light forests, in savanna-like forests and in dense shrubs.

The common boa constrictor belongs to cold-blooded animals, that is, it consumes extremely little energy for its metabolism, since it is not necessary to constantly maintain body temperature; Moreover, it depends on the temperature environment. The length of his body is much larger in relation to the volume. Therefore, stretched out, they can heat up very quickly, getting thermal energy. The snake can compensate for heat loss by curling up into a ball, thereby reducing its surface. The shape of the hose gives snakes other advantages: it helps, for example, when running away, since animals can hide in narrow cracks.


SMALL HEAD AND BIG BOOTY

The shape of the head has a major drawback: the mouth of the animals is very small compared to the amount of food required. As compensation, snakes have an extremely extensible and movable jaw, allowing them to catch and swallow prey, which is huge compared to their body volume. The need for food in common boas, the length of which can be over 4 m, is very high. They feed exclusively on vertebrates, their biggest prey being boar-like peccaries and Patagonian maras. In order to swallow such prey, they can spread the upper and lower jaws. In addition, the halves of the lower jaw do not fuse firmly with each other, but are connected using a very elastic ligament. The bones of the skull are reduced to a minimum, and the trachea is mobile enough so that animals can breathe during a meal, sometimes lasting for hours.

After a meal, an ordinary boa constrictor takes a pause, sometimes lasting for a whole week, during which he tries to move as little as possible. There is a process of digestion, the next meal will be required only in a few weeks or months. The common boa constrictor starts hunting at nightfall. In order to catch prey even in complete darkness, it has a special heat-sensitive organ that captures thermal radiation. This allows the boa constrictor to accurately feel the temperature difference and distinguish a potential victim from the environment. Unlike other snakes, boas do not lay eggs, but give birth to live young. The female produces up to 60 eggs in her body, which are in the womb until the small snakes hatch. Young animals 20-50 cm long immediately become independent.


A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF

Boa constrictor ordinary ( Boa constrictor)

reptile class.
Detachment scaly.
Family of boa constrictor snakes.
Distribution: Southern to.
Length: over 4 m.
Weight: up to 60 kg.
Food: birds, lizards, mammals.
Duration of pregnancy: 5-7 months.
Number of cubs: up to 60.
Life expectancy: no information.

2 985

close relative the Western Asian hamster, unfortunately, can be very rarely found in Central Europe. Despite this, the common hamster ...

Ordinary imperial boa constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator) - non-venomous snake belonging to the subfamily of boas and the family of false legs. Non-aggressive and non-venomous snake is easy enough to keep, so it is very popular not only with experienced reptile connoisseurs, but also with beginners.

Appearance and description

The imperial boa constrictor is not too large in size, but has a fairly strong and muscular body.. IN natural conditions imperial boas reach a length of five meters. Despite the powerful body, the boa constrictor has a rather elegant head.

This is interesting! At home, such a reptile has a more modest size, and the body length, as a rule, does not exceed a couple of meters.

The imperial boa is most often characterized by an attractive light color and a large, well-defined pattern, represented by red and brown spots, but some individuals have a beige, light brown, brown or almost black body color.

Range and habitats

The main habitat of the imperial boa constrictor is very wide. The snake is distributed from Argentina to Mexico. A large territory allowed nature to get just a huge variety of biotopes adapted to different external conditions climate and environment.

A boa constrictor of this species prefers to settle in forests and open areas, in mountainous areas and woodlands, overgrown with stunted shrubs. By itself, the imperial boa constrictor is a fairly ecologically plastic species, so such a reptile can lead both a terrestrial and semi-arboreal lifestyle.

Buying an imperial boa constrictor, price

There are no fundamental differences in the size and body coloration of the male and female, so it will be quite difficult for non-professionals to choose a snake of the desired gender.

In this case, you need to pay attention to the fact that the tail of the male is longer and has a characteristic thickening at the base, turning into a cone. Females have a shorter and straighter tail. Among other things, the female is usually more massive and larger than the male.

Important! It is best to purchase an imperial boa constrictor in pet stores that specialize in the sale of exotic pets and reptiles. The boa constrictor must be completely healthy, quite active and well-fed.

The cost of such an exotic pet varies greatly depending on many factors, including color rarity, age, size and gender. For example, the average cost of the imperial boa constrictor of the Costa Rica locality, which is one of the smallest representatives of this species, is about 6.5-7.5 thousand rubles. The cost of rare specimens easily reaches two tens of thousands of rubles.