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Species profile · Boidae

Common Boa

Complete care sheet and morph genetics registry for the common boa — husbandry parameters, diet, breeding and pairing calculator.

boa imperatorboa constrictor imperatorbcicolombian boa
Adult size
1.5–2.5 m
Lifespan
20–30 yrs
Difficulty
Beginner +
Temperament
Docile
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Viviparous
01

Husbandry requirements

Common Boa — origin: Central & South America (Colombia, Central America).

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min22 °C
Cool side24–27 °C
Warm side28–30 °C
Basking spot32–35 °C

Control with a thermostat; measure surface temps at the basking spot

Enclosure (adult)
180 × 60 × 60 cm

Sealed PVC or wood vivarium, well ventilated, front-opening

Provide sturdy branches and a hide on both the warm and cool sides

Humidity
55–65 %

Raise the humidity during shedding; avoid prolonged dampness to prevent scale rot

Substrate
Cypress mulchCoconut fibreOrchid bark
UVB
Optional

Not strictly required (nocturnal), but low-level UVB (the lowest Ferguson zone) supports long-term health

Water source
Always available

Large, stable water bowl available at all times; used for drinking and soaking

Origin
Boidae

Central & South America (Colombia, Central America)

02

Feeding & health

Diet

Obligate carnivore — whole appropriately sized rodents — Mice for neonates, transitioning to rats as the animal grows

Prey no wider than roughly the snake's body at its thickest point

Breeding
Viviparous

Health watch points
  • Respiratory infections (from cold or damp conditions)
  • Retained shed / dysecdysis (low humidity)
  • Obesity from over-feeding adults
  • Scale rot and mites
03

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 33 documented genes and 75 named combos for Common Boa.

  • Albino (Kahl) kahlRec
  • Black-Eyed Anery beaRec
  • Pearl pearl boaRec
  • Kollar pink kollarRec
  • Caramel (T+) boa woman caramelRec
  • Carbon carbon blackInc.d
  • Genetic Stripe stripeRec
  • MarronRec
  • Albino (Sharp) sharpRec
  • Albino (VPI T+) vpiRec
  • Albino (Burke T+) burke t+Rec
  • Albino (Central American T+) ca t+Rec
  • Anerythristic (Type I) aneryRec
  • Anerythristic (Type II) ca aneryRec
  • Hypomelanistic salmonInc.d
  • IMG (Increased Melanistic Gene) azabacheInc.d
  • Jungle harlequinInc.d
  • Motley colombian motleyInc.d
  • Scoria diamond scoriaInc.d
  • Leopard sonoran leopardRec
  • Blood barettoRec
  • ArabesqueInc.d
  • AztecInc.d
  • LabyrinthInc.d
  • Key West key west aneryInc.d
  • RLT (Roswell Ladder Tail) ladder tailInc.d
  • KelticInc.d
  • IncaInc.d
  • SterlingInc.d
  • OnyxInc.d
  • Fire (Princess Diamond) fire boaInc.d
  • Leopard LiteInc.d
  • EclipseRec
Named combos — 75 documented combined morphs
SangreHypo SangreMidnight SangreBlizzard (Black-Eyed Line)Leopard MotleyLeopard JungleGhost PearlSnow PearlVPI Snow (Type II)VPI ScoriaJungle MotleyTornade / IMG SnowSunglow (Kahl)Sunglow (Sharp)Sunglow (VPI T+)Sunglow (Burke)ParaglowParasnowParaJungleParaMotleySnow (Kahl)Snow (Sharp)Snow (VPI T+)Snow (Kahl Type II)Ghost (Type I)Ghost (Type II)Moonglow (Kahl)Moonglow (Sharp)Moonglow (VPI T+)Albino JungleJunglow (Kahl)Junglow (Sharp)Junglow (VPI)Motley Albino (Kahl)Motley SunglowPewterPewter (Type II)Bloody SalmonSunglow (Blood line) / Red DragonPlasma (Sharp)Ghost PewterVapor (Carbon Line)Black Hole / Super DarkSharp CarbonFlaming HoulihanAnery StripeAlbino StripeSunglow IMGSunglow IMG (Sharp)Snow Blood / Blizzard (Blood Line)Hypo LeopardAnery LeopardSun Dragon (Kahl Leopard)Sharp LeopardGhost LeopardSnow LeopardHypo IMGMidnightNinjaAzabacheAlbino IMGVPI IMGHypo ScoriaVPI ScoriaHypo RLTMotley RLTSunglow RLTHypo OnyxHypo SterlingGhost JungleAnery MotleyGhost MotleyHypo ArabesqueAlbino ArabesqueAnery Arabesque
04

Pairing calculator

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

🧬

Common Boa × Common Boa

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

GeneParent AParent B
Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.
05

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the common boa.

How big does an adult Common Boa get?▾
An adult Common Boa typically measures 1.5–2.5 m (females are noticeably larger and heavier than males).
What temperature and humidity does a Common Boa need?▾
A gradient of roughly 24–27 °C on the cool side to 28–30 °C on the warm side, with a basking spot of 32–35 °C. Humidity 55–65 %.
What does a Common Boa eat?▾
Obligate carnivore — whole appropriately sized rodents: Mice for neonates, transitioning to rats as the animal grows.
Is the Common Boa a good reptile for beginners?▾
Beginner + level. Generally docile and tolerant of regular, calm handling Plan ahead: a lifespan of 20–30 yrs.

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