SPECIES: DUMERIL’S BOA (Acrantophis dumerili).  Other names include: Dumeril’s Ground Boa.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Dumeril’s Boa is a stout-bodied, well-proportioned snake that reaches lengths of five to seven feet and sometimes, even more.  Like many boas in captivity, if kept under optimal conditions they tend to live long lives of at least 20 to 30 years.  They are native to the drier forests and fields on the island of Madagascar, and are currently listed as an endangered species there due primarily to habitat loss. They have a beautiful, well-defined, leaf-like pattern on their backs and their colors tend to be shades of brown, black, cream, white and pink.  Occasionally they can also have some orange, peach or coral coloration as well.  The young can be somewhat shy and nervous, as is not uncommon with some boa constrictors.  With proper care and regular handling, Dumeril’s Boas become docile, easily handled snakes that do well in captivity.

CAPTIVE CARE: Dumeril’s Boas, as is true with most snakes, are powerful escape artists and should be kept in enclosures that can appropriately house snakes securely. The minimum size enclosure for an adult is three to six feet in length.  The enclosure should have adequate ventilation.  A number of different substrates can be used, but we recommend either newspaper or the more aesthetically pleasing aspen bedding.  In the wild Dumeril’s Boas are ambush predators and, even as babies, these snakes frequently show a preference for hiding and should be offered two to five inches of substrate (if using aspen bedding) and/or adequate hiding areas (if using newspaper).  Boas need a temperature gradient in their enclosures so that they can thermo-regulate. Thermoregulation is the process by which animals purposely move in and out of areas of higher or lower heat to optimize their body temperatures.  In nature, direct and indirect sunlight provides animals the opportunity to achieve this.  In captivity, it is accomplished by creating a basking area of 90 to 95F over 1/4 to 1/3 of the enclosure.  Heat can be provided below the tank by under tank heaters or heat tape, or above the tank by black or red spot lights (not white light) or ceramic heat emitters.  To prevent burns, all bulbs used inside the enclosure should be in a protective wire basket.  In order to ensure that the correct temperature has been achieved, the temperature must be measured by a reliable temperature gauge that is placed on the bottom of the cage immediately above or below the heat source.  The other end of the enclosure can be room temperature (typically 70 to 75F).  Fresh, clean water should be available at all times.  Other cage decorations can include branches for them to crawl on or under.  In captivity, Dumerili?s Boas can be fed appropriately sized rodents their entire lives.  The rule of thumb for selecting appropriately sized rodents is to select rodents that are no more than one and a half times as thick as the snakei?s girth at mid-body.  It is safest for the snake if they are fed frozen/thawed rodents.  If they are fed live rodents, care must be taken to remove the rodent within a few minutes if the snake does not appear to be interested in feeding. Hatchling and juvenile boas should be offered food every five to seven days; subadults and adults every seven to 14 days.  Captive-born snakes make better pets than do imported ones so it is a good idea to know the background of the snake you are purchasing.  Also, minimize your handling of the snake until it has had ample time to adjust to its new surroundings in your home and to feed regularly and consistently.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: It has been observed that this species can be cannibalistic, especially the younger juveniles.  It is safest not to keep them together or with any other snakes in the same enclosure.

Reprinted with permission from House Of Reptiles.