ROSY BOA
Lichanura Trivirgata
The rosy boa makes an excellent pet. It is manageable size, a hardy feeder and easy to care for. They are usually very docile and tolerate handling well. With the right snake supplies and keeping reptile health and wellness in mind, this species truly thrives as a beginner pet. By following the tips in this care guide, you can have a snake that lives a long, healthy life. Like many other species of snake, rosy boas are available in a wide array of colours, patterns and morphs. So there is a rosy boa out there to suit each hobbyist.
FEEDING
A rosy boa hatchling should start feeding on pinkie/fuzzie mice and adults should take small adult mice. Hatchlings should be fed every 5-7 days and adults every 7-10 days.
WATER
Rosy boas do best when they are not provided with a continual water source. You should provide your rosy boa with a continuous water source for one day of each month but a hatchling should be offered water every three weeks and again for one day.
PINKIES
FUZZY
SMALL MICE
AVAILABILITY
Rosy boas are common at reptile shows, pet shops, online reptile shops and captive bred breeders. In general, locality-specific boas cost more because a breeder has taken the time to breed rosy boas that were found in the same locale. Some rosy boas locality types include the coastal Californian desert phase and Mexican rosy boas, (the latter including the San Matias Pass and bay of Los Angeles rosy boas, to name a few).
Size
Rosy boas range from 10 inches at hatchlings to almost 4 ft in length when mature. Most rosy boas in captivity range from 24-36 inches and are perfectly suited​ for keeping in a 2-3ft enclosure.
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Lifespan
The rosy boa, given the proper care is a long-lived snake. There are exceptions, though captive bred rosy boas may be expected to live 30 years or more.​
ENCLOSURE
Simple housing works exceptionally well when maintaining pet rosy boas. Most importantly, any enclosure must be escape proof because even if they find the tiniest gap they will attempt to squeeze through it. There are many escape proof enclosures available and it is prudent to invest in one. Also provide an enclosure that does not have an abrasive top, such as screening, otherwise your snake may need medical attention due to nostral abrasion. Rosy boas are notorious for rubbing their snouts on enclosure surfaces while looking for an escape route. Rosy boa hatchlings can be started in small plastic tubs, adequate ventilation is essential and can easily be achieved by making small holes in the top and sides of the enclosure, these holes should not be so large that the snake can push its nose through the holes, which could cause an abrasion. Substrate can consist of aspen or kitchen roll. The enclosure can be placed on a heat mat with a thermostat, set the heat at 80.FÂ to 85.F at the warm end. When your rosy boa grows so should it's enclosure. For small rosy boas a shoe box sized enclosure is fine, adult rosy boas do well in 2-3ft enclosures with 1-2 inches of substrates, this will result in easy maintenance and allows your snake to burrow adding to it's feeling of security. Hides, cork bark and other snake supplies are great for inside their enclosure.
HANDLING AND TEMPERAMENT
A rosy boa is a great snake for gentle handling. If your snake has a strong feeding response, gently nudge your snake with an inanimate object (such as feeding tongs or a small snake hook) before reaching into the enclosure to pick your snake up with your hands. This lets them know that it isn't feeding time. Let your rosy boa roam around your hands in an unrestrained manner, if you restrain it your snake will feel uncomfortable and may try to escape from your grasp. Rather than grasping it firmly, always support your rosy boa with both of your hands so it feels secure.