The Viper Boa is an exceptionally beautiful snake that can be found throughout South America, and thanks to increased interest in exotic pets, they’re available to purchase in the United States as well.
These docile snakes are very popular as pets, but it’s important to keep in mind that they still require specialized care even though they are not especially difficult to keep or handle.
For this reason, we’ve created this guide to help you learn how to take care of your pet Viper Boa and ensure that it lives happily and healthily for many years to come.
A Day in the Life of a Viper Boa
Here’s a rough outline of what you can expect when you own one of these creatures as a pet. First thing in the morning, your viper boa will want to eat. This is natural; they are cold-blooded animals and they like to warm up by eating.
But how much do they eat? The answer is—as little as possible. The idea is to keep your viper boa at optimum weight without it knowing that it’s eating less than usual. To find out how much food to give it, measure its length with a ruler before each meal so that you can keep track of its growth.
That way, you know exactly how much food it needs every day. Next, take note of whether or not your viper boa has any health problems that need to be addressed immediately. For example, if it has mites or is constipated, then you should take care of those issues right away.
Habitat Setup
The type of habitat you choose will depend on whether your boa snake is a baby or an adult. For younger snakes, a glass aquarium that measures at least 36 inches long by 12 inches wide by 18 inches tall is sufficient, but be sure to use a screen lid with air holes (instead of glass) to make it easier to regulate heat and humidity.
Adults need an enclosure that’s at least 48 inches long by 24 inches wide by 18-20 inches tall. Also, allow 2-3 square feet of floor space per pound of snake in addition to some additional space between furniture, climbing branches/rocks/other items they can explore and bask on top of.
Food & Water: Snakes are carnivores and should be fed mice, rats or rabbits (depending on their size). Babies should eat every 5-7 days while adults should eat every 7-10 days.
When feeding young snakes, give them prey no larger than 1/2 their body length; when feeding adults, feed prey no larger than 1/3 their body length.
Feeding
Viper boas are carnivores, which means they need meat to survive. The best food choice is small rodent prey such as rats, mice or baby rabbits. As long as your pet snake is feeding, you should see regurgitation in their enclosure at least once a day—this is normal! Just be sure to remove any uneaten food after 24 hours or it could start to smell bad.
If your snake doesn’t eat its meal within two days, try switching up its diet with something new. Remember that vipers can be picky eaters, so don’t panic if they aren’t eating right away. You may have to try several different types of food before finding one that works well for them.
To encourage proper digestion, feed snakes live prey whenever possible. However, you can use frozen rodents as an alternative if live animals aren’t available. Always check with your local pet store before buying frozen rodents to make sure they haven’t been treated with anything toxic during processing.
Health Concerns
Boas are commonly known as non-venomous snakes, which is true – they don’t have venom glands. However, a bite from a boa can still be dangerous. They have sharp teeth that can tear through skin and deliver bacteria into your bloodstream.
To minimize risk of infection, you should try to clean any wounds with soap and water immediately after coming in contact with a snake’s mouth or saliva. In addition to potentially becoming infected by bacteria from an open wound, there is also risk of infection from tetanus (in rare cases).
Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani – a bacterium that causes lockjaw symptoms such as stiffness in your jaw muscles. If left untreated, it can cause paralysis and even death. If you think you may have been exposed to tetanus, it’s important to get medical attention right away.
The best way to avoid these health risks is by being careful around all animals – both pets and wild animals alike. If you do get bitten by a snake, seek medical attention immediately!
Safety Concerns
When it comes to snake safety, don’t ever forget that they are not exactly cuddly. But more than that, they can be very dangerous. Snakes can bite quickly, potentially causing a great deal of damage in a short amount of time.
In most cases these bites result in minor wounds with little to no lasting effects; however, some snakes pose greater risks than others do (even to an expert). It is important to have proper training before attempting to take care of any snake.
If you aren’t sure about your ability to handle a particular species, it is best to leave them alone or find someone who knows what they are doing. A good rule of thumb is to only keep a snake if you know at least one person who has experience taking care of them—preferably more than one person.
The last thing you want is to injure yourself or someone else because you didn’t know how to properly handle your pet.
Other Concerns
There are some important considerations to make before you even purchase a Viper boa. Because of their large size, they need plenty of room to move around. Also, these snakes tend to become aggressive as they grow older so it’s a good idea to start off with an enclosure that’s big enough.
You’ll also want to provide items like branches, logs and other hiding places where your snake can feel secure. As long as you plan appropriately, you should have no trouble keeping your new pet happy! However, if you notice any abnormal behavior in your boa snake (i.e., lack of appetite or lethargy), it’s a good idea to contact your local veterinarian for advice immediately.
Read More Articles
Tricolor Hognose Snake Care Guide: How to Keep Your Snake Healthy and Happy
Firefly Ball Python Care Guide: Everything You Need to Know
All About Flying Snakes: What Makes Them So Amazing?
Top 10 Longest Snakes in The World
