| Due to their docile nature, tolerance of handling, small | | | | degrees F is about right, dropping a little at night. |
| size and relative ease of care, the Rosy Boa is a | | | | These snakes are quite reclusive so several hides |
| great choice for a pet snake, even for beginners or | | | | should be provided, along with a small bowl of clean |
| children. Adult rosy boas rarely exceed 3 feet in | | | | water. Avoid large bowls of water for this species as |
| length so have modest housing requirements and are | | | | that would promote excessive humidity. |
| never too big to safely handle. Their unique markings | | | | Feeding |
| include three bright colored stripes running the length | | | | Suitably sized mice should be offered every few |
| of their bodies making them a beautiful looking snake. | | | | days to younger snakes, and weekly to adults. They |
| Common Name: Rosy Boa | | | | are easily overfed so take care not to feed too |
| Latin Name: Lichanura Trivirgata | | | | often as these snakes are prone to obesity in |
| Range: Southwest USA, Baja, Mexico | | | | captivity. Neonates are usually started on "pinkie" day |
| Estimated Size: Adults range from 2 feet to 4 feet in | | | | old mice, and adults will take medium adult mice. |
| length | | | | Handling |
| Lifespan: More than 15 years | | | | One of the main reasons for the rosy boa being such |
| Housing | | | | a good choice as a first snake is that they are easy |
| Being a small, and mostly terrestrial species (although | | | | to handle. While they can be a little feisty as |
| some will climb is given the opportunity so including a | | | | neonates they soon tend to tame down and rarely |
| branch is a good idea, especially for young snakes) | | | | bite. With time they become quite tame and are |
| they are one of the only species of boa which can | | | | small enough for children to handle quite safely, |
| be kept in aquariums. A 20 gallon aquarium is | | | | although care should always be taken since they are |
| adequate for a single adult, and should be lined with a | | | | true masters of escaping and will disappear into the |
| deep substrate allowing the snake to burrow. | | | | back of furniture without warning if given a chance! |
| These snakes are true escape artists so a tight | | | | Breeding |
| fitting, latched lid with good ventilation is essential. | | | | The rosy boa breed well in captivity, producing litters |
| Under tank heating is best for these boas and a | | | | of 8 - 10 young. Breeding and health issues are |
| temperature range with a day high around 82 | | | | beyond the scope of this article. |