| Snakes have become more and more popular pets in | | | | They are large, powerful animals, but their generally |
| recent years. While not for everyone, many people | | | | docile nature, and tolerance to being regularly handled |
| find them truly fascinating and beautiful animals, and | | | | means that they are extremely popular pet snakes. |
| their relatively modest care requirements mean they | | | | Other commonly kept pet boas include the Dumeril's |
| can be enjoyed by anyone. Unlike a cat or dog, a pet | | | | Boa, which is a CITES listed endangered species, but |
| snake doesn't need to be taken for walks, or let | | | | captive bred specimens can be bought and kept |
| outside for exercise, even a large pet boa only has | | | | legally. They are a little smaller than the red tailed |
| fairly modest housing requirements, and one their | | | | boa, and many keepers regard them as one of the |
| care and husbandry are properly understood they are | | | | most attractive boa species. The rainbow boas, such |
| easy to keep, handle and care for. | | | | as the Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates Canchria) is |
| There are almost 3000 known species of snakes, but | | | | another commonly kept pet snake, although they |
| only a handful of these are really suitable for keeping | | | | have stricter care requirements than boa constrictors |
| as pets. Once you discount the many venomous | | | | and are a little less tolerant to being handled so are |
| species, those which are difficult to keep or handle, | | | | not an idea first pet boa. |
| and endangered species which can't be kept as pets, | | | | For the newcomer to snake keeping who feels that |
| a relatively small choice remains. Among these are | | | | a pet boa constrictor would be too much to handle, |
| the boas and pythons, sometimes referred to as the | | | | there are a number of smaller and easier to manage |
| "boids", and many of the boas in particular make | | | | boa species. The rosy boa and ground boa are two |
| excellent pets | | | | terrestrial species which only grow to a couple of |
| The reason many people choose a pet boa is partly | | | | feet in length, have good temperaments and modest |
| for their beauty, partly because they thrive in | | | | care requirements, and make excellent pets. |
| captivity (and breed easily so captive bred specimens | | | | Whatever species of boa you choose, spend some |
| are readily available at a reasonable price) and partly | | | | time reading up on the subject before making a |
| because of their generally docile nature. | | | | commitment. While boas make wonderful pets, their |
| There are 28 recognised species of true boas, and a | | | | long lifespan means you'll be caring for you new boa |
| number of these make excellent pets. The common | | | | for many years to come. Make sure you understand |
| boa (boa constrictor imperator) and the red tailed | | | | the requirements before making a commitment, and |
| boa (boa constrictor constrictor) are probably the | | | | you'll have many years of enjoyment from your new |
| best known. Pet boa constrictors can grow to 7 - 10 | | | | pet boa. |
| feet in length, and live for upwards of 20 years. | | | | |