Boas for Sale

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We have a wide range of yearling, juvenile and adult snakes in stock even though they are not listed on this website. Contact us by email and we'll respond if we have it in stock.

The reason many people choose a pet boa is partly for their beauty, partly because they thrive in captivity (and breed easily so captive bred specimens are readily available at a reasonable price) and partly because of their generally docile nature.

There are 28 recognized species of true boas, and a number of these make excellent pets. The common boa (boa constrictor imperator) and the red tailed boa (boa constrictor constrictor) are probably the best known. Pet boa constrictors can grow to 7 - 10 feet in length, and live for upwards of 20 years. They are large, powerful animals, but their generally docile nature, and tolerance to being regularly handled means that they are extremely popular pet snakes.

Other commonly kept pet boas include the Dumeril's Boa. They are a little smaller than the red tailed boa, and many keepers regard them as one of the most attractive boa species. The rainbow boas, such as the Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates Canchria) is another commonly kept pet snake, although they have stricter care requirements than boa constrictors and are a little less tolerant to being handled so are not an idea first pet boa.

For the newcomer to snake keeping who feels that a pet boa constrictor would be too much to handle, there are a number of smaller and easier to manage boa species. The rosy boa and ground boa are two terrestrial species which only grow to a couple of feet in length, have good temperaments and modest care requirements, and make excellent pets.

Neotropical Tree Boas as Pets

Two species are frequently imported as display animals, the Amazon tree boa, C. hortulanus, and the Emerald tree boa, C. caninus. "Pet" is not a term one would apply to these species, as most, if not all, have an aggressive demeanor and will strike readily. Their stunning coloration makes them popular, but their specialized habitat and feeding make them suitable only for advanced keepers.

Handling your Boa Constrictor

One of the reasons that the Boa Constrictor is such a popular choice with reptile enthusiasts is that they are often very docile and handleable. While a newly acquired, or young snake may be shy and aggressive, with patience and persistance they will get used to you.

Start slowly, first placing your hand in the vivarium near the snake, then touching it, then picking it up for short periods. Always move slowly and calmly, and over time your boa will come to realise that you are not a threat. Even a young boa is quite strong, so avoid allowing it to coil around your neck. If the snake wraps around you, simply unwind it gently from the tail. Remember that a large boa can be quite a handful so for safety always have another person nearby when handling a large snake.