Are you interested a long and colorful snake with a lively personality?
One of the most well-known climbing snakes is the Amazon Tree Boa. They are born by live birth, and can come in many colors and patterns.
These beautiful snakes are a great addition to any home thanks to their stunning colors. These snakes are also fearless. Sometimes their personality can make them difficult to handle and defensive. They have unique care needs and handling strategies.
Continue reading to find out more about this Boa’s care and safety tips.
Amazon Tree Boas: All about
The Amazon Tree Boa ( Corallus Hortulana is a long, slim snake of the Boidae Family. They can be found in South America’s entire neotropical zone, including Brazil and Venezuela as well as Colombia, Colombia, Peru, and Colombia.
Tree Boas can be found in humid areas near rivers and rainforests, but they also enjoy living in urban environments like farms and cities.
This species, like many other snakes, was first described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus, but was mostly ignored by researchers. Many keepers didn’t know this species existed until 2000 when the USA exported more of it.
They have grown to be one of the most beloved climbing snakes in the world, and numerous captive breeding programs have been established. Recent research has revealed more about the species’ care and behavior.
These snakes can be polymorphic, as we know. Their offspring are able to produce a wide variety of colors and patterns. They are able to produce many vibrant colors because of this diversity.
Amazon Tree Boas are great starter snakes to any keeper who wants a bright, colorful species with a unique personality.
Their ferocious appetite is another reason they are so popular.
Amazons are ambush-hunters. They have heat sensing pits, which allow them to easily detect prey. Although this skill is very useful in the wild it can also make them extremely defensive as pets. They are also more likely to strike. These snakes can be controlled with a lot of effort, but they are still very defensive.
These Boas require special care and husbandry.
A consistent, consistent husbandry plan is essential for any keeper. It takes time and effort. Failure to follow this plan can result in obesity, skin conditions, dehydration, or other health issues for your snake.
The climbing species, i.e. It is important to provide a safe environment for arboreal snakes (i.e. To allow your snake to move freely and to find rewarding perches to climb, a six-foot vertical enclosure is required.
| Quick Overview | |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Amazon Tree Boa and Garden Tree Boa are both available. Common Tree Boa is also available |
| Scientific Name | Corallus hortulanus |
| Family | Boidae |
| Genus | Corallus |
| Similar Species | Green Tree Python, Ball Python and Brazilian Rainbow Boa |
Size & appearance
Amazon Tree Boas are long and slender snakes. The adult species can grow to between 5 and 7 feet in size, but are typically only 2 inches in diameter. The average length of hatchlings is 12 inches. They also have thin bodies.
An Amazon Tree Boa’s average weight is 600-900 grams. Although some females can reach over 1,000g, this is not common. The males are usually shorter and have smaller heads.
Colors
Look no further if you’re looking for a beautiful-patterned snake in a variety colors!
They are a popular snake because of their striking and beautiful appearance.
These snakes are also polymorphic. Each clutch is unique in its ability to produce a variety of colors and patterns. Although the outcome of selective breeding has made it easier to predict later generations’ clutches, the number of morphs that are produced is still quite high in comparison to other species such as ball Python morphs.
These boas can be divided into two color phases.
- Colored
- Garden
Although they can be more difficult to find and more costly, colored individuals are stunning combinations of yellow, red, and orange. The garden phase species are typically dull brown, gray and black. These snakes have long, sharp teeth and a black tongue to grasp prey.
Amazon Tree Boas garden are a great alternative to their dull colors. They can be plain, speckled or saddled in their pattern.
Their bright, bulging eyes are one of their most distinctive characteristics. They can have shades of metallic gold-bronze or reddish with horizontal pupils. They also have a reflective membrane on their eyes that provides them with eyeshine at night like cats or alligators.
What Is The Average Cost of an Amazon Tree Boa?
Amazon Tree Boas for garden phases are usually priced between $100 and $200. You will have to spend $500 if you want a colored phase or a high-contrast pattern.
The total cost of the snake, enclosure and hides, decor, substrate, equipment and equipment will range from $1,000 to $2,000. The price range will vary depending on the species and the quality enclosure.
Amazon Tree Boas still get a lot of traffic from the wild.
Wild snakes can have skin conditions and long-term aggression issues. Wild collection also places pressure on natural populations, and can harm local ecosystems.
Amazon Tree Boas can be harder to find than other species, such as a ball Python. However, they are still readily available at many pet shops.
It is crucial to only sell captive-bred species at a captive breeding facility. Look for a breeder who has had multiple generations of animals in their care when choosing one.
After you have selected a breeder, you should take care of their young. This will allow you to understand their behavior and health better. You want a snake that is active, alert, and hostile. A defense juvenile is a sign they are healthy. It could be injured or sick if the snake is lethargic or wheezing.
What Does an Amazon Tree Boa Eat?
Amazon Tree Boa can eat many types of vertebrates. They don’t have a preference for which type of vertebrate they eat. They eat mostly mammals and reptiles with backbones. The following are some of the most common wild prey:
- Birds
- Bats
- Frogs
- Lizards
- Rodents
- Small Marsupials
Tree Boas hunt in the trees at night and are nocturnal hunters. Their tails are used to grab branches and to hang their bodies in an S-curve. The camouflaged Boa will attack prey that lands on a branch. They quickly wrap around the prey and knock it off the branch.
Pinky mice should be used to start babies. It may take some time for hatchlings to become comfortable with rodents as they prey on lizards, frogs, and other wild animals. Try offering a live pinky mice to your Boa as a first meal if you have trouble getting them to eat.
Moving the Amazon Tree Boa up From Pinkies
Until they can accept fuzzy mice, hatchlings need to be fed once every seven days. This is usually around three months. You can now feed them once every 10 days.
Adults and sub-adults, aged between two and four years, can be fed once every two weeks.
Your snake will grow in size and become larger. An hungry snake will begin to search for food on the ground at night. Your snake should be slim and have a slightly rounded shape around its spine.
Although rodents make great staple food, they should not be your only source of nutrition. You should include variety in your snakes’ diet. This can be done by buying frozen feeder chicks or other rodent species.
Are Amazon Tree Boas Aggressive or Gentle?
Amazon Tree Boas are defensive, solitary snakes. They are aggressive and rarely interact with other species. Amazons living together and fighting have been observed.
While some Amazon Tree Boas are able to be handled with care, many won’t tolerate it. They are often defensive. Boas are very fast ambush predators, and they have a strong feeding response. If you approach them too fast with your hand, this can result in accidental bites
Babies are very protective. They will eventually learn to accept gentle and frequent handling. Although they will remain defensive throughout their lives, frequent exposure can decrease their aggression.
Safe handling is the best way to avoid getting bit.
Always warn a snake before you pick it up. Begin by gently rubbing your Boa with a hook. If the snake starts to move away from you, it is not feeling threatened. It will then likely let you handle it.
The snake will spend its time resting, climbing on branches or basking.
They also like to wear humid hides, especially in the brightest hours of the day. Sometimes, they can also be seen in the water dish. You may see them doing a mix of all three. This is why they are so fun to keep.
Amazon Tree Boa Setup
Boas are most likely to be found in moist rainforests near river edges. However, they can sometimes be found in savanna or drier forests. These snakes can be found almost everywhere, regardless of their habitat.
It is important to include as many elements of their natural habitat as possible in your tank.
An arboreal tank made from glass is essential. Arboreal snakes need tall tanks to encourage climbing on branches and coiling. Your snake should have at least the same height as your enclosure. It is better to have more space than your snake.
Amazon Tree Boas don’t require special UV lighting. However, they do need specific temperature gradients. The enclosure should maintain a temperature of 70-75 degrees F on the top and the cool side.
An overhead heating element should be placed on the tank to create an 85-90degF basking zone. The heating element should be placed over a branch that is thick enough to allow your snake to coil comfortably.
This species does not like to be left on the ground so an overhead heater is essential.
Humidity is the most important consideration when choosing a substrate.
An absorbent substrate is required to maintain a humidity between 50 and 70%. Keepers typically use coconut fiber or other fertilizer-free topsoil.
To make your snake feel secure and safe, decor and plants are essential. Amazons can blend in with colorful backgrounds of flowers and leaves. Your snake might feel stressed if it is in an empty enclosure.
Also, you should have at least three climbing perches. You should have at least three hides, in addition to the climbing perches. On each side, hides should be placed on the enclosure’s floor. A hanging hide can also be added to the cooler side.
A few quick tips:
- Use an under-tank heater only for snakes that live in trees.
- Although snake-safe plants are possible, these climbers can often kill any living plants.
- Avoid using substrate mixture mulches, as they can irritate their lungs.
- Give them a 12-hour lighting cycle.
Health and Husbandry
Amazon Tree Boas live between 15 and 20 year. You can ensure your snake’s longevity by providing routine care and monitoring its feeding.
The snake can be susceptible to many diseases, just like other captive animals. The most common are:
- Respiratory infections
- Skin mites.
- Fungal infections of the skin
- Intestinal parasites.
Amazon Tree Boa can also be prone to other health problems.
Inclusion body disease is one of the most serious. This is a poorly understood disease that is almost impossible to treat. Regurgitation, anorexia and lethargy are some of the symptoms. It eventually causes death in all affected snakes. You should immediately quarantine your snake if you suspect it is suffering from inclusion body disease.
Obesity is another major problem for this species. Overfeeding them can cause obesity as they are slow-growing and slim snakes. Overfeeding Amazon Tree Boa can cause long-term health problems and significantly reduce their lifespan.
They can also be susceptible to dehydration. A large water bowl is necessary to allow the animals to soak in the enclosed area. Your humidity will stay between 50-70 percent by misting the enclosure two times per day. After misting, the humidity should reach 90%.
Wrap it up
Amazon Tree Boas are beloved for their bright colors and spunky personality. They love to climb and are slender, long snakes. They spend their time perfectly coiled around branches.
The Amazon Tree Boa is a snake that is best suited for intermediate keepers. It can be aggressive and defensive, making it difficult for new keepers and caregivers to bond with them. They require a specific enclosure and food regimen. With enough experience and preparation, you can bring one of these snakes home easily.
Boas can be a bit defensive when they are young, but with regular handling, they will learn to accept it. The Banana ball Python is a fun snake to handle and colorful.
Amazon Tree Boas can be very rewarding if you do the right things. These snakes are great for those who want to have a little fun.
You can’t say thing like “An overhead heating element should be placed on the tank”, or
“This species does not like to be left on the ground so an overhead heater is essential”, and then turn around and say “Use an under-tank heater only for snakes that live in trees”. These can’t all be true, it really hurts this whole article’s credibility. Not to mention the first photo in this article isn’t even the correct species (that is an Emerald Tree Boa), or how you recommended a hanging hide on the cool side when these animals should have a vertical temperature gradient, not a horizontal one. A lot of things in this article were contradicting and confusing to the reader and can lead to improper care of the species, and it feels reckless at times.