A medium-sized snake from Madagascar’s densely forested, dry woodlands, the Dumeril’s boa. It can reach a length of eight feet and has a thick-set body with a light to dark brown colour.
Due to their non-venomous nature and low maintenance needs, Dumeril’s boas are simple to maintain. Due to the fact that both snakes are unique to Madagascar and both are ground-dwelling, many novice reptile keepers mistake Dumeril’s boas for Madagascar ground boas.
Overview of Dumeril’s Boa
| Typical Name(s): | Burmese ostrich |
| Biological Name: | Dumeril’s acantophis |
| Natural Environment | Madagascar has arid woods. |
| Adult Height: | eight feet or longer |
| Typical Lifespan: | 20 or more years |
| Diet: | Carnivore |
| Housing: | a huge terrarium that is longer than five feet |
| Level of experience: | introductory to intermediate |
Origin
Southwest Madagascar’s arid woodlands are home to the Dumeril’s boa (Acrantophis dumerili), which is a reptile. This species is not used to the extremely muggy conditions typical in Madagascar’s rainforests.
Southwest Madagascar is moderately dry, with settlements, dry forests, and recently imported tree species aplenty in certain regions. The Dumeril’s boa inhabits these regions and isn’t scared of other ground-dwelling animals or human conflict there.
One of the reasons Dumeril’s boas are a popular choice among reptile hobbyists is that they are considered “endangered” in the wild. These boas are particularly well-liked for being non-venomous, so if you get bitten by one, all that will happen is leave a scar.
Manifestation and conduct
The Dumeril’s boa is a medium-sized snake with a stocky, thick-set body and camouflage-enhancing colors of peach, red, green, and brown. This snake will remain quiet while waiting for prey because it is an ambush predator. A Dumeril’s boa adult sleeps throughout the day and is up for the most of the night.
At first glance, males and females appear to be similar. However, women typically have bigger statures than men. Although it is difficult to sex these snakes, there are certain warning signals. Males have broad tales with an abrupt taper, whereas females have thin tales that taper gradually.
Size and Duration
Although it’s common for wild snakes to grow up to 10 feet long, adult Dumeril’s boas can reach lengths of up to eight feet in captivity. Under ideal captivity conditions, these snakes have a lengthy lifespan; healthy snakes can survive for up to 20 years or longer.
Temperament
The Dumeril’s boa is a pleasant and tranquil snake. Although most of these tranquil reptiles have calm personalities, some can get irritated and aggressive if you don’t respect their personal space.
The easiest strategy to prevent territorial behavior in male Dumeril’s Boas is to keep your snake alone in its housing because they are aggressive toward other male snakes.
It will be simple for seasoned reptile keepers to handle Dumeril’s Boas. As a novice hobbyist, you should exercise caution when Handling your snake. If your Boa begins to exhibit indications of annoyance, you should put it back in the terrarium since the snake can bite you if you cross its borders.
Dumeril’s Boas’s home
Boas owned by Dumeril have straightforward housing needs. In Madagascar’s arid, densely forested areas, these snakes thrive. Trees and low-lying vegetation make up the Dumeril’s boa’s native environment, and this boa frequently resides in and around settlements and a few man-made structures. If you want to maintain your snake happy and healthy, you should recreate the Dumeril’s Boa’s native environment.
Invest in a sizable terrarium with a minimum length of five feet. The substrate is more crucial than the terrarium’s vertical space since Dumeril’s boas are terrestrial reptiles that need lots of ground area to roam.
Give your boa a place to hide and rest by placing a hide box inside the terrarium. Spread out sticks of different diameters throughout the enclosure so that your snake can investigate it and rise above ground level.
Fall is a good time to gather untreated leaves, so sprinkle them around the Dumeril’s boa enclosure. Leaves are excellent seasonal toys for your snake since snakes enjoy discovering different fragrances and textures.
Relate Boas: Emerald Tree Boa, Amazon Tree Boa, Kenyan Sand Boa, Rainbow Boa
Case dimensions
Maintain a cage that is five feet long, two feet wide, and one foot high for your adult Dumeril’s boa. Although Dumeril’s boas grow quickly and can fit in small enclosures measuring two feet by two feet, juvenile snakes cannot.
Large enclosures are difficult to come by. Dumeril’s boas can live in terrariums as long as they have a removable cover with air holes, are constructed of durable plastic, or are transparent glass.
Lighting
In the terrarium housing your boa, U should utilize heat lamps or fluorescent lighting during the day. Although Dumeril’s boas don’t have any particular lighting needs, you should give them a 12-hour cycle of natural lighting from day to night. To control your snake’s light cycle and avoid upsetting its habit, you can attach a timer.
Thermodynamics and Humidity
The enclosure must have a place for sunbathing and some shade for the Dumeril’s boa. Maintain a steady temperature of 80°F in the shaded region. The temperature of the basking area, which must remain between 85 and 87°F, should be at the opposite end of the terrarium from the cool area.
Measure the temperatures in the chilly place and basking spot every day, and use heating pads to maintain the temperature in the basking spot.
The skin of Dumeril’s boas sheds like that of most reptiles. Monitoring these variables regularly is essential for the snake’s health because the humidity and moisture levels in the terrarium can either facilitate or inhibit the shedding process.
Keep the terrarium’s humidity between 40% and 60%. Never allow the relative humidity to rise above 60%. An atmosphere that is too humid could cause our snake to experience major respiratory problems.
Substance and Adornment
A homemade mixture of 40% sand (preferably play sand) and 60% organic topsoil is the best substrate for a Dumeril’s boa terrarium. The majority of reptile businesses have this affordable substrate alternative, which is easily accessible.
Avoid lining the enclosure with a substrate made of coarse gravel. Because Dumeril’s boas enjoy playing in the substrate, gravel can seriously hurt them and prevent them from moving around freely inside the enclosure.
The enclosure of Dumeril’s boas does not require bedding, rocks, or caves. However, you should put a hide-box and a sizable water bowl in a shaded area of the enclosure so your snake has access to both.
To allow the Dumeril’s boa to explore all of the terrarium, line the enclosure with leaves and sticks and decorate it with miniature trees. Make sure your snake has enough of leaves to play with because the Dumeril’s boa is a clever snake that requires stimulation through activities.
Cleaning
Vinegar diluted with water works best to clean a Dumeril’s boa terrarium because it is organic and non-toxic. Every month, remove the substrate and any decorations and clean the walls with a mix of diluted vinegar and water.
Spot cleaning the terrarium is crucial, and you should carry it out if you notice dirt, food scraps, or soil. A Dumeril’s boa’s enclosure can soon become filthy, leaving an overpowering odor in and around the terrarium.
Never clean a Dumeril’s boa enclosure with bleach or any other chemical-based cleaners. These dangerous substances have the potential to kill your pet.
Boa Care by Dumeril
Boas from Dumeril require little maintenance and are simple to care for. These low-maintenance boas only require a cozy, roomy enclosure with access to Water and Food in order to survive.
Food and Water
Mice, rats, chicks, baby rabbits, gerbils, and hamsters are all common prey items for Dumeril’s boas. These snakes benefit from a diverse diet. It’s crucial to feed Dumeril’s boas in accordance with their size and age.
In contrast to adults, which should be fed every 21–28 days because they are no longer growing, juvenile Dumeril’s boas should be fed every 14–20 days. Every seven days, you should feed snakes under three feet long and hatchlings.
Dumeril’s boas typically eat food that is as wide as the snake’s widest region of its body. Smaller prey will satisfy the snake’s need, whereas larger prey may be regurgitated, which might make the snake uncomfortable and disturbed.
Handling
Although Dumeril’s boas can be handled, you should do so carefully to prevent stressing or hurting the snake. The following advice can help you handle Dumeril’s boas:
- Use a hook to free the snake from its container rather than your hand.
- Don’t only support the snake’s head or tail; support the snake’s entire weight.
- Never allow your snake to around your neck. Strong, capable of constriction, Dumeri’s boas have a firm grasp.
- Keep the snake out of your face’s reach.
Overhandling will strain Dumeril’s boas and could seriously harm your snake’s health. Ensure that your boa’s enclosure is placed in a peaceful area away from kids and other animals.
Typical Health Problems
In captivity, Dumeril’s boas are vulnerable to mites, obesity or unexpected weight loss, and respiratory diseases. Since snakes are extremely adept at hiding illnesses, you should be watchful and give your snake a weekly health examination.
Here are some tips for resolving some of the typical health issues that come with owning Dumeril’s boas.
- Mites – Human head lice creams can be used to treat mites. However, there are also widely available products made specifically for reptiles that may be found in reptile shops and veterinary offices.
- Loss of weight – Loss of weight may indicate serious health problems that need immediate medical attention.
- Gaining weight – Feed your snake little prey or give overweight Dumeril’s boas lean meats like chickens.
- Infection of the lungs (RI) — Respiratory infections can be brought either by the terrarium’s high humidity levels or its excessively low temps. If you think your boa may have a respiratory illness, take it to the vet.
You can find health issues in your snake before they become significant problems by keeping track of its weight, eating habits, shedding, and overall demeanor.
Breeding
During the cool season, it is simple to breed Dumeril’s boas. But some snakes will breed in the hotter months, thus your snakes will need to undergo a brumation phase. Keep an eye out for a little bulge on the female’s underside. This lump shows the female is ovulating, which means the breeding process is successful.
To avoid digestive problems and discomfort, you shouldn’t feed Dumeril’s boas during breeding and should only give females tiny prey during gestation. If you want to breed your snakes, follow the instructions below.
- In October, start cooling the female’s enclosure. The temperature in your snake’s terrarium should be gradually lowered until the basking spot is at 80°F.
- Until the end of January, keep the enclosure chilly. Reheat the enclosure gradually and leave the heating pad on the night.
- Until you are certain that the female snake is pregnant, keep the male snake in the enclosure.
- When a female is about to give birth, she sheds her skin. It takes nine months on average for a pregnancy.
- As soon as you detect the female starting to shed her skin, remove the male. Male snakes will assault females who are giving birth and then eat the babies.
Unlike other snakes, Dumeril’s boas give birth to live offspring, which is unique.
Read more: https://thereptilebay.com/do-snakes-lay-egg/
How to Choose and Purchase a Dumeril’s Boa
A healthy snake from Dumeril’s boas ranges in price from $200 to $800.It’s crucial to shop around and conduct some background research on trustworthy snake breeders in your neighborhood.
Boas from Dumeril are widely accessible in pet stores and online. If you order online, you should confirm the local import regulations for these snakes.
Dumeril’s boas are risky to purchase online since you can get a sick snake. Instead, visit a local reptile breeder or pet store and spend some time watching the snake to ensure it is acting normally.
