Brazilian Rainbow Boa

Epicrates Cenchria Cenchria

Information of Epicrates cencria (pronounced: ep i krate ees senk ria) is fairly limited. I recommend reading The reproductive Husbandry of Pythons and Boas. Witten by Richard Ross and Gerald Marzac.(see the Bibliography). This sheet is not the final word on the husbandry of keeping Epicrete cenchria. I am certainly open to any more information or husbandry techniques in keeping this species.

First of all, I highly recommend the novice herper to read Paul Hollander's excellent
snake care info sheet.

Size & Longevity

As with all snakes, size is dependant on keeping your animal at correct temperatures, clean, and well fed. Having said that, typical sizes range from 4-7 feet long for adults. Bazilians have been known to survive in captivity up to 20 years.

Housing

The bigger the better, with a clean water bowl, and highish humidity. Brazilians need a temperature of 26.5°C-29.5°C during the day, with temps no lower than 24°C at night. Tempartures outside these ranges can quickly have an adverse effect on your pet. Humidity is also of importance, with a range of 50 to 80 percent being ideal. Do not go any lower, as Brazilians have a tendancy to quickly dehydrate [especially in younger specimens]. Use a substrate that can be kept at high humidity - I use wet to damp Canadian peat moss without problems. A plastic shoebox with a small hole cut in it with some sphagnum moss and some water is a good way to provide a nice humid section for your snake. Place the container near your heat source to keep the humidity level up. It is best to keep specimens separate, reasons including potential for them trying to eat each other, problems feeding, and to reduce any transfer of diseases/bacteria.

Feeding

Brazilians in captivity can be sustained solely on a diet of mice, increasing with size equal to the girth of the snake. Small rats can be fed to larger specimens. As with all snakes, rodents should be fed dead, to prevent ANY chance of either injury or death to your snake. One suggestion for animals that are not eating is to take them outside. Apparently the outside air is enough to spur an interest in eating.

Breeding

To mate, Brazilians need to be at least 4-5 feet long [usually 3 yrs or older] Slightly lower the temperature [low 20's] for both animals for a couple of weeks before mating, and then introduce the male into the female's cage. If they do not mate, remove the male and try again a day later, without raising the temperature. Do not put the female in the males cage, as males tend to be very territrial and could kill a female, even if she's trying to mate. Gestation takes approximately 5 months. Litters generally range in size from 10-35.

ajs@iosphere.net
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