The Colombian Rainbow Boa, Epicrates maurus, is one of the largest snakes in the Rainbow Boa family, with adults reaching around 7–9 feet (2–3 m) long. While these snakes are often captive-bred and not considered threatened, they can still be hard to find due to their rarity in the pet trade and high price tag. If you’re looking to find out everything you need to know about how to care for this exotic snake species, keep reading!
Basic Information
The Colombian rainbow boa is one of many species of boas. It is native to South America and lives in high altitude regions in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. These snakes are typically a green color with bands of yellow on the body. They grow between three and five feet long. Colombian Rainbow Boa Care Guide: These are solitary animals who can live as long as 25 years in captivity. They prefer to be handled for about 10 minutes at a time and need a minimum enclosure size of 3ft x 3ft x 2ft.
Colombian Rainbow Boa feedings should consist of mice or rats only and all prey should be dusted with calcium supplement. Colombian Rainbow Boas also require UVB light bulbs for 12 hours per day in order to stay healthy. Temperatures should range from 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
Like other reptiles, these snakes are cold blooded so their environment needs to have an appropriate temperature gradient. Finally, like other boas, they do not tolerate bright lights well so their cage will need some form of dimming system to keep them happy.
Scientific Name
Epicrates maurus fasciatus (formerly Epicrates cenchria fasciatus) Common Name: Colombian Rainbow Boa, Colombian Red Tail Boa, Colombian Redtail boa Scientific Classification: Phylum : Chordata Class : Reptilia Order : Squamata Family : Boidae Genus: Epicrates Subgenus/Species: E. maurus Average Size and Weight: Adults are 3 – 4 feet in length. They can weigh up to 8 pounds. They live 20-30 years if cared for properly.
Colombian Rainbow Boas do not grow any larger than 5-6 feet long even with a proper diet. If a Colombian Rainbow Boa is overfed, it may develop obesity which can cause serious health problems such as metabolic bone disease or joint issues from the extra weight on their joints that they cannot support.
Physical Description
The Colombian rainbow boa is a spectacular, colorful colubrid snake. The scientific name of Colubridae family is Epicrates maurus and Epicrates cenchria. They are not venomous snakes but rather constrictors that kill their prey by suffocating them. Colombian Rainbow Boas have an average lifespan of 15-20 years with optimal care. They have no subspecies or color morphs but they do come in a variety of colors such as: red, orange, yellow, pink, blue and green.
Colombian Rainbow Boas need a 10 gallon tank at the minimum because they can grow up to 7 feet long! Colombian Rainbow Boas require temperatures between 72°F – 84°F and humidity levels of 60% – 70%. Colombian Rainbow Boas should be fed on mice, rats, chicks or small chickens because they can grow up to 7 feet long!
Average Size
Colombian rainbow boas are medium-sized snakes. On average, Colombian rainbow boas are smaller than other species of rainbow boas. Adult females grow to around 8 feet (2.4 meters) and adult males grow to around 6 feet (1.8 meters). Most Colombians weigh between 5 and 15 pounds (2.3 to 6 kilograms), but some can be significantly heavier or lighter depending on their age and health.
Colombian rainbow boas have a docile temperament, and they’re often handled by experienced snake handlers without incident. Colombian rainbow boas can live up to 30 years in captivity with proper care and handling.
Life Span
Colombian rainbow boas can live from 20 to 30 years, depending on care and environment. You can find captive-bred Colombian rainbow boas for sale online starting at $100 or purchase one from a reputable pet store or breeder. Colombian rainbow boas are nocturnal creatures that prefer to be housed in a cage with plenty of branches and foliage as well as an elevated hiding spot where they can retreat during the day.
Colombian rainbow boas need high humidity levels (50%+) and temperatures between 68°F and 78°F. In the wild, Colombian rainbow boas spend most of their time in trees or other tall plants because they use the branches to capture prey items such as frogs, birds, small mammals and lizards.
Habitat
Colombian rainbow boas, like other reptiles, live in a fairly defined area. Because of their small size and ease of care, many owners keep them in a glass aquarium or reptile terrarium at home. If you’re housing multiple boas in one tank, make sure there is plenty of space between them; even though they are non-venomous snakes and typically peaceful with one another as long as they have enough space to do their own thing.
Colombian rainbow boas can grow up to 6 feet in length so the more room they have the better! Be careful not to overcrowd the tank, which could lead to aggressive behavior and stress. Colombian Rainbow Boa Care Guide Colombian rainbow boas are shy animals that like hiding spots such as wood piles, tree branches, leaves, or cardboard boxes.
The temperature should be kept at about 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 Celsius) with a basking spot around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius). A water dish should always be available for your Colombian rainbow boa to drink from and soak in when it feels too hot. Like all snakes, Colombian rainbow boas will need fresh food every 7-10 days depending on its size.
Caging Recommendations
Colombian rainbow boas are terrestrial and will spend most of their time on or near the ground. A 20-gallon tank is a great size for an adult Colombian rainbow boa, with a screen top for viewing, though glass or plexiglass may be preferable to plastic (which could cause your snake to overheat in direct sunlight). You’ll also need a substrate—like aspen bedding—to line your cage and provide warmth.
Colombian rainbow boas do not do well when exposed to temperatures below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, so you’ll want to make sure that they can warm up if they get too cold. They’re also known for being very sensitive to vibrations and noise, so you’ll want a nice quiet space that’s free from vibrations if possible.
Be careful with handling Colombian rainbow boas too often because they can become stressed easily; when handling them use light pressure so that they don’t feel like they’re in danger or scared.
History of Captive Breeding
The first Colombian rainbow boas were imported in 1968 as part of a shipment of thousands of boas, pythons, and anacondas. By 1973, breeders had focused exclusively on breeding Colombian rainbows because they could be bred easily and quickly in captivity. Today’s Colombian rainbow boas are descendents of those original imports.
Also known as South American rainbow boas or glass lizards, these snakes have been bred so much that there are many distinct bloodlines to choose from when buying a new pet. Colombian rainbow boas should not be handled often because their skin is sensitive and can dry out easily.
They prefer the cool side of the cage at night but should not have the temperature lower than 74 degrees Fahrenheit during the day or higher than 85 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Colombian rainbow boas like to soak often, and a large enough water dish will keep them hydrated for weeks.
General Care Requirements in Detail
Colombian rainbow boas originate from South America. These boas require a warm environment with high humidity, as well as an enclosure that is large enough for them to climb around in. Colombian rainbow boas feed on rats and mice, so make sure they are fed at least once a week. They will also need a water bowl big enough for them to submerge themselves in. The average lifespan of Colombian rainbow boas is twenty years. Colombian rainbow boas have a great appetite, so make sure you keep the food fresh.
The Colombian rainbow boa care guide may seem complex but it’s not too difficult if you follow these simple steps! Start by making sure the temperature ranges between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. To maintain proper humidity levels, use a fogger or humidifier. Remember to put in both a water dish and hiding places so your snake can stay safe while out exploring their habitat.
If your Colombian rainbow boa doesn’t eat its prey within 12 hours, discard it and try again later. After each feeding, make sure to clean the water dish because if there is any leftover food residue left in the dish, your pet might get sick! Keep this information handy for quick reference when caring for your Colombian rainbow boa – see? It’s not hard at all!
Additional Information/Common Misconceptions
The Colombian rainbow boa, also known as Epicrates maurus, is a species of nonvenomous snake that belongs to a group of reptiles called boas. These snakes are native to countries such as Ecuador and Columbia. The Colombian rainbow boas found in captivity usually have their original Latin name: Epicrates maurus maurus, which means magnificent rainbow colored.
This long snake can reach up to ten feet long (almost three meters) when it reaches maturity. They spend most of their time hidden away, but they like to come out during the day and bask in the sun. They are often very calm, but they will defend themselves if threatened or disturbed by biting or wrapping around the intruder’s arm with their coils.
It’s best not to handle them for too long since this could stress them out, and make them lash out. It is better to simply provide some space for them to feel safe while still getting plenty of attention from an owner who spends time with them on a regular basis.
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