How To Care for Rainbow Boas

Rainbow boas are a medium-sized constrictor in the Boidae family, and as their name suggests they tend to be very colorful. These boas have an iridescent sheen to their scales due to microscopic ridges that act as miniature prisms, making them such beautiful snakes to look at.

There are many subspecies of rainbow boa, each with its own range of colorations and patterns, but the Brazilian rainbow boa is arguably the most attractive of the group (and possibly one of the most beautiful snakes, period!). Another subspecies called the Colombian rainbow is also common in the pet trade. You may also see subspecies called Guyanan, Peruvian, or Argentine rainbow boas for sale. Care requirements for all rainbow boa subspecies are similar, but the following care guide is meant for Brazilian and Colombian rainbow boas specifically.

Fast Facts

• Scientific name: Epicrates cenchria
• Native range: Central and South America
• Natural habitat: Tropical forest and grassland
• Adult size: 1.2 to 1.8 meters (4 to 6 feet)
• Tank size: 6’L x 3’W x 3’H, or 1.8m x 0.9m x 0.9m
• Lifespan: 20-30 years
• Difficulty: Intermediate

Source: Animal Diversity Web, Epicrates cenchria

Rainbow Boa Captive Care

Rainbow boas are popular to keep because of their beautiful coloration, manageable size, and relatively simple care requirements. They are not a beginner-friendly snake, however, because their health is quite sensitive to proper temperature and humidity levels. They also tend to be nervous and sometimes aggressive around people, but with proper interaction they can tame down and tolerate regular handling.

Housing Requirements

An adult rainbow boa should have at least 6 feet of ground space in its enclosure. A suitable tank size is 6’L x 3’W x 3’H, or 1.8m x 0.9m x 0.9m, but bigger is even better. They also like to climb, so while it isn’t required, providing some climbing branches will give you more viewing opportunities and grant the snake more room to move around.

Rainbow boas are not picky about substrate, but you should use something that is easy to clean and that helps retain moisture in the environment. Paper towels work as a very simple option. You can also use a variety of bedding materials like coco fiber, ReptiSoil, or ReptiBark. Some people even keep rainbow boas in bioactive vivariums with terrarium soil and leaf litter, so you can certainly get creative with the substrate.

Can you keep more than one rainbow boa together?

Keeping multiple rainbow boas together is not recommended. These snakes are not social animals, so they prefer to have space to themselves. Two snakes kept together might not fight each other, but they will feel stress and competition for resources in their enclosure. It’s best for a rainbow boa to have an enclosure all to itself.

Humidity

This is a high humidity species, their cage should be kept with humidity above 60% at all times, and up to 100% humidity at night. To achieve the proper humidity you should spray the cage twice per day, or you can use an automatic misting system like the Exo Terra Mister. You should also provide a water dish that is large enough for the snake to fully soak in, making sure the bowl stays full and clean. In addition, you can provide a moist hide box on the cool side of the tank so your snake can retreat into a wetter environment at will.

Temperature

As a tropical snake, rainbow boas need generally warm temperatures and a thermal gradient so that they can regulate their body heat. Here are the general conditions you should strive for:

• Basking area temperature: 30-32°C (86-90°F)
• Daytime ambient temperature: 29-30°C (78-84°F)
• Nighttime temps: 22-24°C (72-75°F)

To meet these temperature requirements you can use a combination of heat lamps and an under-tank heater (UTH). Be careful with heat lamps, however — they tend to dry out the environment and they can also make the tank too hot. Extended periods over 32°C (90°F) can kill a rainbow boa. If the air dries out too much they will have a lot of difficulty molting their skin and may experience difficulties breathing, so it’s very important to maintain 60-90% humidity levels in addition to warm temperatures.

Lighting

Rainbow boas are somewhat nocturnal creatures, so they do not require high levels of UV light in order to survive. However, research suggests that these snakes are healthiest with moderate amounts of UVB to support the immune system, bone growth, and skin health. You can use a UVB lamp to provide light and heat on the basking area for 10-12 hours per day.

Just make sure the light does not dry out the tank too much, and be sure to leave one side of the enclosure unlit and cooler in temperature so your snake can regulate as it wishes. Monitor the temperatures and humidity levels constantly with thermometers and a hygrometer in the tank, and make adjustments to your lighting and heaters as needed.

Recommended lighting equipment:

• UVB heat lamp
• Under-tank heater

Feeding Rainbow Boas

Rainbow Boas, like most other boids, are rodent eaters. A diet of one appropriately sized (about the thickness, or slightly smaller than that of the snake at its thickest point) rat every 2-4 weeks will suffice. Juveniles (less than 3 years old) should be fed more often, like every 1-2 weeks.

It’s best to feed frozen/thawed rodents rather than live prey. It’s safer for the snake and more humane for the rodents. Rainbow boas generally have a very good feeding response, so they’ll take pre-killed prey readily. Also make sure to use tongs or hemostats/forceps to feed your snake; while they aren’t venomous, you still want to avoid being bitten.

If your rainbow boa is not eating then it’s likely a sign of health problems or issues with the conditions in its enclosure. A healthy rainbow will rarely refuse a meal, so this means they are susceptible to overfeeding and obesity as well. Just make sure to follow a proper feeding schedule to avoid this problem.

Handling Your Rainbow Boa

Rainbow boas have a reputation for being temperamental and not great for handling. However, you can get your snake accustomed to interaction, and these boas can actually be very friendly if you introduce them to handling in the proper way. If you can comfortably handle your snake then it will make cage cleaning and every aspect of ownership generally easier. Here are some tips for getting your rainbow used to you.

Start by introducing short handling sessions every few days during the calmer nighttime hours. Keep these sessions to around 5 minutes initially, but you can make them gradually longer as your boa adjusts. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before, removing any scents or residue that could be mistaken for food.

Keep in mind that young boas might be a bit nippy, so patience and gentle handling are key. Try to avoid any sudden lurches or dramatic reactions to your snake’s movements.

When picking up your boa, use both hands for support – one behind the head and the other cradling the body. Never lift them by the tail, as this can cause serious injury. These snakes like to feel secure and will also appreciate your body warmth, so expect them to wrap around your arms for stability. Gently guide their movement and avoid letting them coil around your neck. If the snake does become wrapped too tightly to any part of your body, you can camly and steadily peel it off, from back to forward, and place it in a different position.

Supervise children closely during handling sessions, and always wash your hands thoroughly afterwards to maintain good hygiene. By following these steps, you can build a trusting bond with your rainbow boa and ensure a positive experience for both of you.