Boa - Argentine

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Argentine Boa Constrictor Scientific Name: Boa constrictor occidentalis

Basic Info

The male Argentine Boa Constrictor reaches about 8 feet at maturity, and females are larger, and can grow to 10 or 12 feet! It has a gray belly with dark spots. The rest of the snake has a brownish or black background color, with a pattern of darker and lighter colors, sometimes white. The head, from the neck to the very tip of the snout, is accented with a dark line on either side. Another line runs from the eyes to the tip of the neck. A hypomelanistic variety of Argentine Boa Constrictor is also available.

Health

Their enclosure should have hot and cool places to allow your Argentine Boa Constrictor to thermoregulate, along with a hiding places. The cool end should remain around 80 degrees Fahrenheit while the warm end should be kept between 85 and 90 degrees. Make a basking spot of 90 to 95 degrees for your Boa with a strategically placed light. Cage humidity should be kept around 55 percent. Aspen shavings make a good substrate for the Argentine Boa Constrictor's enclosure, and newspaper will work as well. Breeding Argentine Boa Constrictors give birth to 10 to 40 live young in the months of June and July after a breeding period during late fall to early spring.

Habitat

Most commonly found in wet forests but ranges into the grasslands and scrub forests as well

Behavior

Argentine Boa Constrictors are nocturnal, and are found both in treetops and on the ground. Argentine Boa Constrictors are extremely active and will need branches or shelves in their cages when they are kept in captivity. They have fairly docile temperaments but should be handled with caution; they may be aggressive if nervous or frightened. It has been reported that they will hiss when they are startled. Argentine Boa Constrictors need fresh water available at all times and love to soak in their water bowls.

Origin

Argentina and Paraguay

History

Native to Argentina and Paraguay, the Argentine Boa Constrictor is most commonly found in wet forests but ranges into the grasslands and scrub forests as well. They are listed as a CITES Appendix I, meaning that they must be protected because they are killed for their skins and trapped for the pet trade. Therefore, captive breeding programs are in progress and there are restrictions concerning the importation of Argentine Boas.

Common Foods

In the wild, Argentine Boa Constrictors eat birds and other small animals. In captivity, they are fed rats that are occasionally dusted with a nutrient or mineral powder.