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Initially plain newspaper can be used as substrate. Refer
to the Suitable
Substrates For Herptiles section for more info on
suitable substrates for Columbian Rainbow Boas. Columbians like to climb so a higher
or vertical orientated cage with a
thick branch or something similar can be supplied. One side
of the cage should reach at least 30 ºC / 86 ºF during the the
day. In most parts a heat pad or any other heating equipment
should be necessary. Refer to the
General
Snake Care Sheet and the Accessories
& Other Stuff For Herptiles for more information on
how to maintain the correct
temperature and humidity range for these snakes.
Males can be kept separate or with one
to three females in the same terrarium.
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Captive Care
Environment:
Environmental temperatures for Columbians should be on the
high side. One side of the cage should reach at least 30ºC /
86ºF during the day with a natural temperature gradient to the other
side. A slight drop during the winter and/or during the night
should not be a problem.
As Columbians are tropical species they need a relative
humidity (RH) in
the range of 60 to 100%. The RH can be increased by
spraying the terrarium one to twice daily with a spray bottle or
using modern humidifying equipment. The humidity can also be
increased by placing a shallow water container with water over
a heat pad or by adding a moist substrate like moss or
vermiculite to the hide box. Some people also use soaked clay
hide boxes for the same reason. A large enough waterfowl for
snakes to completely soak in is also important for tropical
species. A too low RH can lead to incomplete or partial
sheddings. Refer to the Accessories
& Other Stuff For Herptiles for more information on
maintaining the RH of these snakes
Columbians also like to climb, so any thick branch, stump,
rock or something similar can be supplied for this purpose.
The rest of the environmental factors are discussed in the General
Snake Caresheet.
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Handling Columbians:
Rainbow boas should be no problem to pick up and handle.
The problem however comes in with snappy ones, especially when
it comes to approaching them. When picking up
one of these snakes be quick about it and do not hesitate as it
might upset the snake and give it enough time to get into
"defending mode". When this happens either use
something to press the head down and grasp the snake firmly
behind the head or use a "snake-hook" or a snake
grasping tool to pick it up.
When handling these snakes make
sure the head is secured at all times. As with most boa
species Columbians will tend to coil around the handler's arm. This
makes handling a lot easier, but it can be tiring on one's arm.
Care should be taken with handling larger snakes because of
their larger size and strength.
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Columbian
Rainbow Boa Behaviour:
Columbians are believed to be nocturnal (night dwelling).
They are most active during the the hours of dusk and dawn.
They also like to climb (aboreal).
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Important:
Columbian Rainbow
babies should only be ready to sell after their first self
caught meal (not force fed). Shedding should take place
about two to five days after hatching after which they start to
take food. Some people insist on seeing the skin and feed
records before purchasing a snake.
When buying a new Columbian, note whether it is male or
female, if possible, get the date of birth and get the
snake’s shed- (if any) and feed records. When buying a
new-born, try to take a look at the parents of the snake.
This will give you an indication of what the baby will look when it
is mature. In short, get as much as possible information from
the seller. The more info you get, the better you will be able
to care for it (if that person did not talk rubbish). If you
are not sure about the behavior of the snake, call him/her,
ask, ask and ASK!
If the seller can not give most of the above info, he
or she is not worth to be called a breeder or a seller for
that matter. In this case it is maybe better not to buy from
this person!
When selecting a Columbian look for a well fleshed body, no
visible cuts or abrasions, clear, alert eyes, tongue flicking,
no signs of mites or ticks and a clean vent.
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Feeding Columbian
Rainbow Boas:
Hatchlings will need day old pinkies and large adults can
eat up to a few large mice or small rats. Tame Columbians should
be good eaters but sometimes feeding them can be problematic.
They tend to take food and then leave it again. Some
Columbians refuse to eat unless they are in total privacy.
Columbians should be fed in relative quiet conditions with
as little as possible movements. It is
VERY important to make sure your baby is a potential good
eater!
Refer to the Reptile &
Amphibian Feeding Problems section to see what
to do if a Columbian refuses to eat.
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Columbian
Rainbow Boa Reproduction:
Columbians are oviviparous, eggs hatch inside the
female.
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Columbian Rainbow Boa Potential Health Problems:
Except for bites from mice, Columbians rarely have any
health problems. A high relative humidity (RH) together with
low ambient temperatures predispose boas to respiratory diseases
where a low RH will lead to shedding problems.
Newly obtained
Rainbow Boas should be quarantined for at least six months before
they are introduced into an established snake collection.
Refer to the
General Animal
Bio-security &
Quarantine
for more information on how and why to quarantine these
snakes.
Columbian Rainbow
Boa Books:
Buy Books from Kalahari.net
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"If you think I should add more information to this section,
think that something is incorrect or you have any additional information regarding
keeping of snakes, use the form below or
go to our contact page to get in
touch. I would love to hear your ideas or methods you might use
that is different than ours."
Last updated 17 May 2008 by Renier Delport
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"Always remember
only to buy healthy animals from reputable pet shops and
breeders. Make sure to buy animals that are captive bred in your
own country and that it is not illegally imported or caught from the
wild."
"If you've read
something funny, or heard something that sounds out of place,
use your common sense before applying. It is extremely important
to do research from more than one source (before buying
or accepting a new animal). Browse other internet pages, read
related magazines and talk to experienced people."
Related Topics:
 General
Snake Care Sheet
Other
Care Sheets
Columbian
Rainbow Boa Zoology
Photoperiod & Brumation / Hibernation
General Animal
Bio-security &
Quarantine
Feeding
Problems
Accessories & Other
Stuff For Herptiles
Suitable
Substrates For Herptiles
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References &
Further Reading:
 Bartlett, R.D. & Bartlett, Patricia P., 2002 Designer Reptiles
& Amphibians. Barron's Educational Series U.S.
Bartlett, Patricia P. & Griswold, Billy, 2001 Reptiles,
Amphibians & Invertebrates - An Identification
& Care Guide. Barron's Educational Series U.S.
Miller, Stephan A. & Harley, John B., 1999 Zoology, Fourth
Edition, WCB McGraw-Hill.
Mattison, Chris, 1998 Keeping & Breeding Snakes, Second Edition.
Blandford.
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|
Introduction |
Fact Sheet |
Columbians As Pets |
Costs |
Bare
Minimum For Keeping | Captive
Care Environment | Handling | Behaviour
| Important |
Feeding |
Reproduction |
Potential Health Problems |
Books |
Related Topics |
References & Further
Reading
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Columbian
Rainbow Boa Zoology | |
