This, however, depends on the region of origin and the prey available. A baby boa constrictor is about 17 to 20 inches when they are born. If a snake is approximately 7 inches wide at the widest point, and is 13 feet long, then a 7 foot wide snake would be about 140 feet long. Newborn boas are an average of 14 to 22 inches and weigh 2 ounces. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/animal/boa-constrictor, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute - Green anaconda, South African History Online - Dutch East India Company, boa constrictor - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), boa constrictor - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). The snake’s adult length is typically about 10 feet (3 metres), though individuals of more than 18 feet (5.5 metres) have been reported; Central American boas rarely exceed 8 feet (2.4 metres). The growth of your boa depends on its diet. Smaller subspecies, such as common boas rarely outgrow red-tailed boas. Prey size is generally equal to the diameter of the boa’s widest body region. On average, red-tailed boas grow up to the following lengths: Also known as the common boa or common northern boa, boa constrictor imperators are often smaller than red-tailed boas. The scientific name for Boa Constrictor is Boa constrictor. The size of a boa constrictor depends on its subspecies. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Nicaraguan individuals typically have a compact saddle pattern on their backs that is often circular in shape. or more. Boa constrictors bear live young about 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 metre) long. They are fully formed after they hatch and are ready to start eating. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage. Required fields are marked *. They can weigh more than 100 lbs. The more food that they eat, the bigger they will grow. Try to support the body and neck with two hands due to their size and weight. Normally the size of young would be 15 to 20 inches and even 25 inches. Each litter numbers from one to several dozen young. According to the University of Michigan, the biggest boa ever found measured 13 feet long. The average boa constrictor is from 3-13 feet long, though length ranges of up to 18 feet have been recorded. Interestingly, the tail size of the typical male boa is proportionately longer than the female. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Female boas are almost always larger than male boas. The largest boa constrictor ever found measured 18 feet. Female boas average 6-8 feet. Adults seem very calm (but inquisitive, perhaps the most inquisitive of all the constrictor family). Most boas reach full maturity after just three years, but continue to grow in size throughout their entire life. There is hardly a snake in existence that is not interesting to in one way or the other. Search for: boa constrictor size in feet. The basic coloration is deep brown-and-black markings—often in the shape of triangles, ovals, and joined ovals—against a pale brown-and-gray background. The Boa Constrictor is a heavy bodied snake that usually reaches 7-9 foot in length. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Adult males reach measurements of 8 ft., while females reach 10 ft. or longer. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). (45 kilograms), according to National Geographic. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Let us give you some examples: Example 1 Hi, I'm Lou. There have been longer measurements taken of non-stretched dry skin of boas, with the longest being 14.6′ feet without the head. You boa will also weigh a… Omissions? Updates? Females are often larger than males, according to a 2003 article published in the journal Amphibia-Reptilia. One such locale is the Hog Island Boa. Each litter numbers from one to several dozen young. In natural habitats, however, boa constrictor size varies from 1 to 4 meters depending on the locality, while their weight ranges between 1 and 15 kilograms. One specimen, identified in the zoological journal Spixiana, was at least 14 feet long. They typically have bat-shaped saddle patches with dark spots in between, although the Suriname locality has more of an hourglass shape to its pattern. So, a growing snakes sheds its skin more often. Adult boas average between 6.5 and 9.8 feet in length and weigh in excess of 100 pounds. They constrict their prey using powerful muscles, which stops the blood flow to vital organs. However, boa constrictors are generally between 6.5 and 9.8 feet (2 and 3 m) long. Other complications associated with overfeeding include stress and excessive shedding. This is very common among snake keepers who continue to power feed their boas to gain size and mass. It’ll feed on small mammals, such as small rats and adult mice, or other animals, such as birds and lizards. The average length of a male boa is 5-7 feet. Hunted for their fine, ornate skin and for sale in the exotic pet trade, some boa constrictors have protected status in their range. If you have a smaller or younger boa, smaller tanks can be used, but as a young snake grows longer, you will have to upgrade and increase the tank’s size. This is due to sexual dimorphism, where different sexes have different physical characteristics that go beyond just having different sexual organs. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. However, with BCC, we don’t necessarily follow this rule, because BCC tends to be short stout boas, which are heavier in the mid-section than other Boa constrictor types. (with Video), Snake Struggling to Eat Mouse? The female boas in this species are larger than males in both length and girth. red-tailed boa and boa constrictor imperator, https://www.snakesforpets.com/how-big-do-boa-constrictors-get/. The Argentine boa constrictor (Boa constrictor occidentalis) is silvery gray with an unusual network pattern. The sexual maturity of the young would be achieved between 3 to 4 years with a size of 6 to 10 ft. Female boas are usually larger than male boas in terms of length, width, and weight due to sexual dimorphism. Boas are medium-large, semi-arboreal snakes that require an enclosure which provides both floor space and height for their health. It is mostly terrestrial but climbs into trees in search of birds. However, colours and markings frequently vary, not only among the subspecies but also among individuals in the same population. Boas have healthy appetites, and their size and weight are dependent on where they live and the availability of food. Boa constrictors normally live for 20-30 years. Boa constrictors are very large snakes in terms of average length, width, and weight. The longest boa every found was measured at 13′ feet. The more that you feed a boa constrictor, the larger it will grow. The age, sex and size of your boa will determine how frequently to feed it. The red-tailed boa ( Boa constrictor constrictor) is a popular exotic pet. Typically, boa’s scale pattern consists of spots and stripes. It kills by constriction, first grasping the prey and then using its coils to exert a deadly amount of pressure.   A good enclosure size for an adult boa constrictor is around 6 to 8 feet long, 2 to 3 feet wide, and 2 to 3 feet tall. Once the animal is dead, the boa ingests its prey whole, taking six days to digest its entire meal. Although your boa has matured at this point, it can still continue to grow, sometimes reaching a length of 10-13 feet, and weighing up to 80 pounds. Boa constrictors are very powerful and will escape if given the chance, so enclosures must be secure. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. These different locales produce very different snakes in terms of appearance and behavior. Baby boas are an average of between 14 to 22 inches in length, and are born into a litter of around 60 snakes. Boa constrictors tend to live alone. B. c. constrictor is what most people think of when they hear the name: big, thick, and bright red patterning on the tail — although they tend to be much more docile than most assume. I hope that you find this website useful! The size of a boa constrictor depends on age and sex. Its range is wide, from Argentina to northern Mexico. By the seven month mark, your boa will likely grow to about a yard or more in length and weigh about 30lbs, as long as they are on a proper feeding schedule. Juvenile Boa constrictor amarali can be hissy and strikey due to their small defensive size. This female is probably the largest Boa constrictor kept in captivity in Germany. Let’s explore some interesting boa constrictor size facts in more detail. The coloring of Boa constrictors can vary greatly depending on the locality. The Boa constrictor is a species of large, non-venomous, heavy-bodied snake that is frequently kept and bred in captivity. Boa constrictors are modestly-sized compared to the enormous Burmese python or reticulated python. Mother boas give birth to about 60 babies at a time! This recessive gene starts off blood red, but darkens with age and turns into a rusty brown color. Because of this fast process, boas can consume copious amounts of food, allowing them to grow much larger than most species of snakes. In daytime it shelters in tree hollows, old logs, and animal burrows. A baby boa … Corrections? They can be tan, green, red and yellow. The size of this snake is highly variable amongst different subspecies and locales. They usually grow out of it by 1 year of age. The tail of the male boa is larger, based on its shorter size. Care level is intermediate. However, they are generally brown, grey, or cream base color, patterned with brown or reddish-brown "saddles" that become more pronounced towards the tail. Farmers keep the snake around their fields and storage sheds to reduce the rodent populations. Boa constrictors grow very fast. Actions Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. However, they’re nowhere near as big as Burmese pythons, anacondas, and reticulated pythons (retics). This article answers many of the boa constrictor feeding questions many beginners have. Boa constrictor – habitat, diet, size and species with images. Captive snakes tend to grow larger than wild ones, and females tend to be bigger than males. Boa constrictors bear live young about 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 metre) long. The minimum size is around 10 square feet of floor space for a single snake. I’ve always been fascinated by snakes and reptiles. MorphMarket currently has 2254 Boa Constrictors for sale listed by 291 Boa Constrictor Sellers in the United States. Boa constrictors are a large snake that often grows to 10 feet long, or much longer. Dwarf boas are one of the smaller boa subspecies, again with females being longer than males, on average. Your email address will not be published. Are Male or Female Corn Snakes More Aggressive? The size of a boa constrictor depends on age and sex. You can start babies in cages as small as 10 gallons. It was discovered to be a misidentified green anaconda. The boa constrictor is a large snake, although it is only modestly sized in comparison to other large snakes, such as the reticulated python, Burmese python, or the occasionally sympatric green anaconda, and can reach lengths from 3–13 ft (0.91–3.96 m) depending on the locality and the availability of suitable prey. This is due to the size of the hemipenes, which are used to prevent the hemipenis from coming free from the females’ cloaca. They weigh around 13 pounds, with females again being larger than males. The usual size of mature female boas is between 7 and 10 ft (2.1 and 3.0 … Boa constrictor constrictor (“True” Red-Tailed Boa). This is due to the room taken up by the male’s hemipenes. Boas are one of the few snakes that produce live births, versus eggs that need to be incubated. Slow moving and of a mild temperament, it is easily tamed. The size of a mature female Nicaraguan boa is 1.1 m and 1.9 kg, while the larger female B. c. constrictor is not mature until she reaches 1.6 m and 4.5 kg. The average adult size ranges from 4 to 7 feet in length, with some individuals occasionally reaching 8 or 9 feet in length. (Prey Too Big + Wrong Way). Your email address will not be published. The largest Boa constrictors are Boa c. constrictor from Peru and Boa c. imperator from Colombia. The largest dwarf boa to be recorded was close to 30 inches long. Feeding Your Boa Constrictor. The average snake usually weighs about 30 lbs., but it isn’t unusual for some individuals to reach 60 lbs. The size of the animal will determine how long before the boa constrictor will have to eat again. The number of boa constrictor subspecies is disputed, ranging from 6 to 11. The boa constrictor is one of the longest snakes in the world, but is much shorter than anacondas and reticulated pythons. A boa is likely to be close to maturity by the end of its third year, growing to an average length of 6-8 feet, depending on its sex. Contrary to popular belief, the biggest boa constrictor ever found was not 18 feet long. The red-tailed boa (Boa constrictor constrictor) is a popular exotic pet. There are numerous boa constrictor subspecies, with the red-tailed boa constrictor and boa constrictor imperator being the most common. Though it thrives in tropical rainforests, it also inhabits savannas, cane fields, and semiarid scrublands. Boa constrictors, in general, are long, but grow to be much shorter than reticulated pythons and anacondas. In Boa constrictor ortonii, native to Peru, markings on the tail are red rather than brown, and the tail pattern is distinct. This means a baby boa is fully formed at birth (not eggs) and starts feeding shortly afterwards, allowing it to grow in weight and length at a rapid rate. Boa Constrictor Description. Newborn boa constrictors range in length between 14 and 22 inches and weigh just 2 to 3 ounces. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Farmers keep the snake around their fields and storage sheds to reduce the rodent populations. At around a … At this stage, the boa will need to feed every 10 to 14 days. How to identify a boa constrictor Size. With the boa constrictors larger size , they rarely have a hard time killing their prey either they just bite on, wrap themselves around their prey, and begin to squeeze until they cut off the creatures circulation and then they have a meal their next meal. A boa can also weigh up to 60 pounds. The head of the boa constrictor is long and triangular, with dark streaks from the eyes to the back of the jaw and another dark streak along the top. A boa constrictor grows throughout its whole life, which can be 20 to 30 years. Boa constrictors are a popular pet snake, In the wild, they live on the ground but also in trees. What Are The Predators of Boa Constrictors? The boa constrictor is active from dusk to dawn, feeding on a wide variety of birds and mammals. Also included: A FREE Boa Constrictor Feeding Chart. Boa c. constrictor Suriname - Suriname redtail boa Distribution area Suriname Estimated average length of mature female Boa c. constrictor Approximately 1.90 to 2.20 m (6.2 to 7.2 ft) We would declare the average size of sexually mature females to be 8 ft. (if a reasonable feeding schedule has been applied). Published: December 16, 2016 Updated: December 16, 2016. Mature females grow between 7-10 feet, while males grow between 6-8 feet. An excessive feeding routine, especially when combined with a lack of activity due to the snake being in a captive environment, can cause health issues that severely shorten the life expectancy of the snake. Adult boas average between 6.5 and 9.8 feet in length and weigh in excess of 100 pounds. Within seven months, depending on the sub-species, a baby boa can reach 3 feet or more, and weigh up to 30 pounds. This site does not constitute snake medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian for medical advice. Snakes need to shed their skin to accommodate their increasing size and mass. The Boa Constrictor can grow up to 3-13 feet in length. Description of the Boa Constrictor These reptiles grow to impressive lengths. By Maria Bastida . Clear sexual dimorphismis seen in the species, with females generally being larger in both length and girth than males. When overfed, boas will become obese. Boa constrictor, (Boa constrictor), large thick-bodied snake of the boa family, Boidae. Colour. Constrict: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft The longest reported boa constrictor was 13 feet (4 meters) long, according to the University of Michigan’s Animal Diversity Web (ADW). Here is a general guideline: Newborn to 1 year old: every seven to 10 days; 1- to 2 years old: every two weeks; 2- to 3-year-old males: every three weeks/females, every two weeks An adult boa constrictor measuring between 6′ and 8′ feet will need an enclosure measuring at least 6′ by 4′ feet to give the animal room to move. https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/reptiles/boa-constrictor They have a wide range of colour variation. Here’s some information on the differences between the red-tailed boa and boa constrictor imperator. By the end of your boa constrictor’s third year, it will have reached maturity, which means it isabout 7 feet long or more. It’s the same as any other mammal or living creature in that regard. Leave a Comment / Uncategorized Boa Constrictors are larger bodied snakes from Latin America which usually grow to 5 to 8 feet long. They are a species of snakes that produce live births. The size of a mature female Nicaraguan boa is 1.1 meters (3.6 feet) and 1,900 grams, while the larger female Boa constrictor constrictor is not mature until it reaches 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) and 4,500 grams. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The boa constrictor is not an exception. Boa constrictors are one of the world's largest snakes, the average size is 3m but they can reach up to 5m and weigh 45kg though more commonly weigh 10 to 15 kgs. That’s why I set up snakesforpets.com – to answer every question that you could ever have about snakes as pets (and how they survive in the wild.) An adult boa will generally weigh more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms) and grow to about 13 feet (4 meters) long. Newborn boas are an average of 14 to 22 inches and weigh 2 ounces. Blood boas are considered "dwarf boas" as they only reach about 5 feet in length. The largest non-stretched dry skin of a boa measures 14.6 feet without the head, according to Frank Glaw and Michael Franzen. Female boas are usually larger than male boas in terms of length, width, and weight due to sexual dimorphism. Popular Boa Constrictor Morphs The main thing about boa constrictor is, since it is polygynous one most of the time males would be unsuccessful. Here’s the minimum dimensions for your red-tailed boa enclosure, based on snake length: Baby (shorter than 2’) — 2’L x 1.5’W x1’H Juvenile (2’ to 5’) — 4’L x 2’W x 2’H