RED-TAIL BOA FAQ
Care Guide and Frequently Asked Questions
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HELP!!!
Red-Tail Boa Care Guide Summary
Help! I'm too lazy to read this entire care sheet. What should I do!?
Well, you really SHOULD read the entire care sheet. It contains very important information if you do not have knowledge about Boas. But for the sake of at least hoping to keep your Boa alive, here is some basic guidelines you should always know and remember:
- Find a Reptile or Exotic Animal Vet in your area BEFORE buying a Red-Tail Boa.
- Make sure your tank is ready BEFORE buying a Boa.
- Temperatures: 86-88 warm, 77-79 cool (at night: 81-84 warm, 72-75 cool)
- Humidity: 55-60%
- Make sure you have BOTH a warm side and a cool side.
- Use a day/night light cycle as to provide a naturally cycling environment.
- NEVER use a heat rock to heat the tank.
- Provide at least one hide for your Boa to use regularly.
- DO NOT use Cedar or Pine Bark as substrate. Newspaper, Aspen, Cypress, Paper Towels and Astroturf are acceptable substrates.
- ALWAYS feed prekilled prey as to avoid risk of infections, injuries and parasites.
- Feed rats, not mice.
- Only feed ONE appropriately sized food item every 7 days for Boas under 1 year, 10 days for 1-2 year-olds, every 14 days for 2+ year-olds.
- You should not house more than one snake or Boa together, EVER.
- Assure the Boa sheds in one full piece and that the eyecaps are retained with the dead skin.
- Do not handle your Boa while it's in shed.
- Do not handle your Boa until 48 hours after they've eaten.
- Feeding while in shed is not a good idea.
- Do not take your Boa out in public.
- Work closely with your vet to assure your Boa is always healthy and happy!
- Above all else, NEVER neglect your Red-Tail Boa! If at any time you feel that managing your Boa becomes too big of a chore, then please sell it to someone who is capable of providing proper care!