Dumeril's Boa — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Dumeril's Boa — origin: Southern and south-western Madagascar (dry forests, semi-arid areas and scrubby forest edges). Protected endemic species: listed on CITES Appendix I and Annex A of the EU regulation — keeping, sale and transport require legal documents (CITES certificate / transfer certificate) and breeding from captive-born animals. No wild-caught specimens should be acquired..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min22 °C

Cool side24–27 °C

Warm side30–32 °C

A horizontal thermal gradient is essential. A warm spot/zone on the floor around 32 °C for digestion (heat mat or heat cable on a thermostat, or a ceramic emitter) — no intense basking light is needed as the species is not heliophilic. A night-time drop to 22 °C is beneficial; during a breeding cycle, winter nights can be lowered to 18-20 °C for a few weeks. Every heating element must be controlled by a thermostat and guarded to prevent burns.

Enclosure (adult)

180 × 90 × 75 cm

Horizontal terrestrial terrarium, sturdy and well ventilated

Minimum dimensions for an adult; go larger for a big female (200 x 100 cm). A terrestrial species and occasional burrower: provide a large floor area rather than height. Provide at least two solid hides (a warm zone and a cool zone) and a few low branches or décor elements. Lockable lid/doors: a powerful boa can force a weak closure.

Humidity

50–70 %

Moderate humidity reflecting the Madagascan dry forest. Maintain 50-60% routinely, with peaks at 70% during sheds (light misting or a humid area). Avoid permanently high humidity combined with poor ventilation, a cause of respiratory infections and skin fungal infections.

Substrate

Coconut fibreOrchid bark or cypress chipsFertiliser/pesticide-free soil mixPaper/paper towel (quarantine)

A substrate that retains moisture moderately, deep enough to allow slight burrowing (5-10 cm). Remove droppings and soiled areas immediately. Avoid fine softwood chips (cedar, pine), which irritate the airways.

UVB

Optional

Not essential (a cathemeral/crepuscular ambush species), but low-level UVB (UV index ~1-2, low-power or diffused T5 tube) benefits metabolism and well-being. Provide hides offering an area of full shade.

Water source

Always available

A large, clean and stable water bowl, wide enough to let the snake soak, especially before shedding. Change the water regularly and clean/disinfect the container to limit bacterial growth.

Origin

Boidae

Southern and south-western Madagascar (dry forests, semi-arid areas and scrubby forest edges). Protected endemic species: listed on CITES Appendix I and Annex A of the EU regulation — keeping, sale and transport require legal documents (CITES certificate / transfer certificate) and breeding from captive-born animals. No wild-caught specimens should be acquired.

Feeding & health

Diet

Carnivore — Appropriately sized rodents (mice for juveniles, rats then large rats for adults); an occasional rabbit or guinea pig for very large females.

Thawed prey of a diameter close to the widest part of the snake. Juveniles: every 7-10 days; adults: every 2-4 weeks. A species prone to obesity: do not overfeed and adjust the schedule to body condition and season.

Breeding

Viviparous

Breeding is generally triggered by winter cooling (cooler nights, shorter days) over several weeks. Gestation of about 6-8 months; typical litters of 6 to 20 independent neonates (sometimes more in large females). Breeding should only be done with legally held animals (CITES/EU) and documented traceability.

Health watch points

Respiratory infections (open-mouth breathing, wheezing, mucus) linked to poorly managed cold or humidity
Snake mite infestation by Ophionyssus natricis
Incomplete shed/dysecdysis (retained flakes, especially over the eyes) from a lack of humidity or a water source
Obesity from overfeeding, common in this species
Inclusion body disease (IBD, arenavirus infection) affecting boids; strict quarantine of new animals

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 3 documented genes and 3 named combos for Dumeril's Boa.

Hypo (Hypomelanistic) hypoInc.d
Axanthic (Anerythristic) axanthRec
Caramel Albino (T+) caramelRec

Named combos — 3 documented combined morphs

GhostSnow (Théorique)Sunglow (Théorique)

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

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Dumeril's Boa × Dumeril's Boa

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the dumeril's boa.

How big does Dumeril's Boa get?▾

Adults reach 150 to 250 cm, with most individuals falling between 160 and 200 cm. Females are larger and heavier-bodied than males, with the biggest approaching or exceeding 250 cm and weighing 3 to 8 kg — a stocky, heavy-set boa.

What size terrarium does it need?▾

Plan for a minimum of 180 × 90 × 75 cm for an adult, and larger (200 × 100 cm of floor space) for a big female. As a terrestrial species it needs floor area rather than height, at least two solid hides (a warm side and a cool side), and a lockable closure, since this powerful boa can force open a weak lid.

What temperatures should be maintained?▾

Set up a horizontal gradient with a warm floor zone of 30 to 32 °C for digestion, a cool side of 24 to 27 °C, and a night-time drop to 22 °C. An intense basking light is not needed, as the species is not heliophilic; a heat mat or heat cable controlled by a thermostat works well.

Does it need UVB?▾

It is not essential for this ambush predator, which is mostly crepuscular, but low-level UVB (a UV index of around 1 to 2) benefits its metabolism and well-being. Always provide hides offering an area of full shade.

What does Dumeril's Boa eat?▾

It is a carnivore fed on appropriately sized rodents: mice for juveniles, then rats and large rats for adults, with an occasional rabbit or guinea pig for very large females. Feed thawed prey with a diameter close to the widest part of the snake's body, every 7 to 10 days for juveniles and every 2 to 4 weeks for adults.

What humidity level should be targeted?▾

Moderate humidity of 50 to 70%, reflecting the Madagascan dry forest: maintain 50-60% routinely, with peaks up to 70% during sheds. Avoid permanently high humidity combined with poor ventilation, a cause of respiratory infections and skin fungal infections.

How long does this boa live?▾

It is a very long-lived species: 20 to 30 years is common in captivity, with records exceeding 35 years. Acquiring one therefore represents a very long-term commitment.

Is it a docile snake?▾

Yes, it has a reputation for being docile, calm and rarely defensive once acclimatised, bites are rare, and it is non-venomous. However, it is a powerful, heavy snake: two-person handling is recommended for large adults.

Can you buy a Dumeril's Boa freely?▾

No. The species is listed on CITES Appendix I and Annex A of the EU regulation: keeping, selling and transporting it require legal documents (CITES certificate, transfer certificate) and breeding from captive-born animals. No wild-caught specimen should ever be acquired.

How does it reproduce?▾

It is ovoviviparous and gives birth to live young: litters typically number 6 to 20 independent neonates. Breeding is triggered by a winter cooling period (cooler nights around 18-20 °C, shorter days) lasting several weeks, followed by a gestation of about 6 to 8 months.

Is it a species for beginners?▾

It is an intermediate-level species: its docile temperament makes it approachable, but its size, strength, very long lifespan and CITES status call for experience, a large, secure terrarium and a serious commitment spanning several decades.

What health problems should be monitored?▾

Watch for respiratory infections (open-mouth breathing, wheezing) linked to poorly managed cold or humidity, mite infestation by Ophionyssus natricis, incomplete sheds, obesity from overfeeding (common in this species), and inclusion body disease (IBD), which requires strict quarantine of new animals.

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