| The Dumeril's boa (Boa Dumerili) is a species of | | | | Several types of heat source are suitable, but a |
| non-venomous snake native to Madagascar, and | | | | ceramic bulb is best. It is essential to properly guard |
| Reunion Island. Relatively small for a boa, with adults | | | | the bulb to prevent possible burns, and whatever |
| rarely growing to more than 2m in length, they are a | | | | heat source is used must be thermostatically |
| mostly terrestrial species. | | | | controlled. |
| As is common with boas, males tend to be slightly | | | | Humidity for the Dumerils boa should be maintained at |
| shorter and less well built than females, and have | | | | around 60% and a damp hide filled with sphagnum |
| slightly flatter tails. They are ovoviviparous, giving | | | | moss should be provided to help with shedding. Like |
| birth to live young, and a gravid female can give birth | | | | all snakes, a dish of clean water must also be |
| to litters as large as 25 - 30. The neonates are | | | | provided at all times. The dish should be large and |
| around 30 - 40cm in length, and are entirely self | | | | deep enough for your boa to soak it when it wants |
| sufficient from birth. | | | | to. |
| While obtaining a Dumerils boa on the pet trade used | | | | Most Dumerils specimens will readily take defrosted |
| to be difficult due to their CITES (Convention on | | | | rodents with no problems. Adults should be offered a |
| International Trade in Endangered Species) protected | | | | large rat once every 14 days. Neonates can be |
| species status, recent years of captive breeding | | | | problem feeders and take some persuasion before |
| success has put this wonderful snake within the | | | | they will take defrosted prey. Try offering live |
| reach of most owners. They are listed in appendix 1 | | | | hopper rats, or freshly killed live mice if they refuse |
| on CITES so even captive bred specimens require | | | | to eat. Leaving a defrosted prey item in the snake's |
| paperwork and microchipping, but any reputable | | | | enclosure overnight also often works. Once your boa |
| breeder or dealer will be able to advise on this. | | | | starts to take defrosted prey they will normally |
| Husbandry of the Dumerils boa is quite similar to that | | | | continue to eat them without difficulty. |
| of boa constrictors. A medium to large sized vivarium | | | | While the Dumeril's boa was once a rare and |
| of 180 x 90cm is suitable for an adult. While they are | | | | expensive snake, recent captive breeding success |
| largely terrestrial, they will occasionally climb if given | | | | has put this wonderful boa within the reach of most |
| the opportunity so a sturdy branch is a good addition. | | | | keepers. A truly beautiful animal, and a pleasure to |
| They are also quite reclusive so at least 2 hide boxes | | | | keep and handle, they come highly recommended to |
| are required, one at the warm end, and one at the | | | | anyone who can meet their husbandry requirements. |
| cooler end of the enclosure. | | | | Once you have done more research into the species, |
| A temperature range from around 25 degrees C | | | | and if you can commit to caring for a snake that |
| rising to 30 degrees C is required for the snake to | | | | may reach more than 2m in length and live for more |
| thermoregulate properly. At night this can be allowed | | | | than 25 years, the Dumerils boa might be the ideal |
| to drop by 3 - 5 degrees. | | | | snake for you. |