About The Amazon Tree Boa’s

The Amazon Tree Boa is a small arboreal species of constrictor generally reaching around five feet in total size but in exceptional cases they have reached up to nine feet in length. Amazon Tree Boa’s are extremely variable in colour ranging from grey through browns, reds, oranges and yellows. The ‘garden phase’ is the most common colour morph and is grey with darker dorsal markings edged with a little white. The red and yellow morphs have similar dark markings with a base colour of yellow through to red and occasionally brick red. They are a slender species which usually tops out at around four hundred to six hundred grams in weight.

Care Conditions

Care conditions are easily achieved but care is to be taken not to create a wet enclosure as this will result in abscesses and sores on the occupant. A three foot vivarium can easily accommodate a trio of Amazon Tree Boa’s. Decor should include lots of plants and sturdy branches to climb on, with open areas and heavily covered areas. Water should be provided in a water bowl large enough to bathe in (which will probably not be used) and by misting the vivarium twice daily. Humidity should be between 75% and 100% with good ventilation. The temperature is best kept at between twenty five degrees and thirty degrees Celsius. A night time drop down to twenty degrees Celsius is perfectly acceptable. Temperature should be regulated using a thermostat. UV light is not important but a 2.0 UVA tube may be provided to help encourage breeding. A basking spot should be provided and heated to thirty five degrees.

Amazon Tree Boa-Feeding

Feed Amazon Tree Boa’s a suitably active prey item which they will chase around the vivarium and even jump into the air for. Suitable prey items include crickets, turkistan roaches, small locusts and even bluebottle or similar sized prey. They will eat three of four adult cricket sized prey items each, every feeding time, around three or four times a week.

Wild Tree Boa’s

In the wild, rodents, other small mammals, small reptiles, frogs, insects, and birds make up the main diet of the Amazon Tree boa. Hatchlings and newly imported animals may only be feeding on live mice, frogs, lizards, or chicks. Indian pinkies (pinkies dipped in chicken feathers) can be used to get some picky feeders to eat. Snakes are capable of eating items that are one- one and a half times the thickest part of their girth, but often more food items that are smaller are easier to digest than one large food item. It is healthier for the snake as a pet to be fed moderate quantities on a regular basis. Amazons under a year in age can be fed every five to seven days, and active or growing boas once a week. A neonate can be started on pinkie mice, and the amount of food can be gradually increased as the snake grows. An adult will male will normally end up eating only large mice, while adult females can be fed on medium rats, due to their slower growth rate and reduced activity can be fed less often. One feeding every two weeks for Female adults and once every 2-4 weeks for adult males, depending on the size and age of the individual, is adequate. Amazon tree boas can be reluctant feeders at times teasing the tail with the prey or rubbing it along the heat pits normally causes the snake to strike, you may have to repeat this a few times before they start to eat their prey.

These are an aggressive species which doesn’t tolerate regular handling at all and may be inclined to bite readily. They live for around twelve to fifteen years in captivity and have been known to live up to twenty years. Despite their aggressive nature they make an excellent beginner species due to their hardiness and the fact that they do not hide away, thus making good display animals.

Feed once or twice a week (depending on age) on a suitably sized mouse or rat pup for the larger adults.

For any more information on Appleton Exotics Amazon Tree Boa’s, how to buy or care for any snakes in the North West, then please call us on 01942 824385