This is because they have the same structure to their scales that gives them the iridescent sheen.Ĭommon names and out-of-date species names can cause confusion for a potential owner. Other Rainbow BoasĪnimals that are not part of the Epicrates genus are sometimes referred to as rainbow boas in the pet trade. Wild snakes don’t always adapt well to captivity and can have a number of parasites that can be transferred to other snakes in your home. Most animals are unlikely to be captive-bred, so be sure to ask where the animal came from. They are a separate species so be sure to do your research on what snake the person is selling. These are sometimes found in the pet trade, but they may still be sold as a subspecies of the Brazilian rainbow boa. They have dark brown markings on a brown to yellow background. The Paraguayan rainbow boa ( Epicrates crassus) is a smaller boa found in Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil.
This species is also rarely exported, so finding one for a pet would be difficult. They are occasionally found as pets in their native Brazil, but most owners seem to prefer the more common Brazilian rainbow boa or the Colombian rainbow boa. There are a few videos of captive animals on the internet, but they are typically imported animals. They are very uncommon in the pet trade in the United States. These snakes are found primarily in Brazil. The Caatinga rainbow boa ( Epicrates assisi) is not well-known in English-speaking areas. The species is named in honor of Antenor Álvarez, an Argentine herpetologist. They are nippy as babies but calm down with age. They seem to reproduce fairly easily in captivity, so keep an eye out for a breeder if you want to own this species. These snakes are less common in the pet trade, but you can find captive-bred animals for sale. They are noted as being a bit more slender than other species of rainbow boas. The Argentine rainbow boa ( Epicrates alvarezi) is a smaller snake at a length of around 4.5-6 feet as an adult. All of the young snakes would be genetically identical to the mother. This means that a female snake gave birth to a litter without needing to breed with a male. One interesting note is that this species is capable of parthenogenesis. You can even find color morphs of this species. It is native to southern Central America, Trinidad and Tobago, and the northern portion of South America.Ĭolombian rainbow boas are considered the easiest to keep in captivity. Many animals with wild coloration will change to a lighter color with more noticeable patterning and a mottled silver on the sides of the snake. These snakes have an interesting change in coloration from day to night. They tend to be brown and their patterning tends to fade in adulthood. They are typically smaller at only 3 to 5 feet as adults. The Colombian rainbow boa ( Epicrates maurus) is the next most common rainbow boa in the pet trade. polylepis), and the standard Brazilian rainbow boa ( E. hygrophilus, the Central highland rainbow boa ( E. gaigeae), the Espirito Santo rainbow boa ( E. These are the Marajo Island rainbow boa ( E. The species currently has five recognized subspecies. There were 9 at one point, but a study from 2008 split several of these into separate species. There are currently 5 recognized subspecies. They are native to Central America and move down into South America where they can be found east of the Andes and reaches northern Argentina. This is one of the longest snakes in the genus, they can easily be 6 feet as adults. These snakes are so common that they have many morphs available in the pet trade. They are loved for their beautiful red color and intense patterning. This snake is the most common in captivity (see my rainbow boa care sheet for enclosure setup, feeding and more). The Brazilian rainbow boa ( Epicrates cenchria) is the most famous member of the genus.
This article will go over the species and whether they are found in captivity.
These snakes are found in Central and South America and are part of the genus Epicrates. Rainbow boas are beautiful snakes that have an iridescent sheen to their scales.
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