Boelen's python (Simalia boeleni)

Short answers

Boelen's python: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 200×150×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, over 2 m).

Boelen's python: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C (keep cool!), basking spot 27–28 °C, at night 17–20 °C.

Boelen's python: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended.

Boelen's python: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 25–30 years.

Boelen's python: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C (keep cool!)

Night temperature

17–20 °C

Basking spot

27–28 °C

Humidity

75–90 %

UVB

Recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 200×150×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, over 2 m)

Substrate

Coco humus or bark mulch, sturdy climbing branches, a large water spot

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed rats

Feeding interval

adults every 2–4 weeks

Key facts

Adult size

200–300 cm

Life expectancy

25–30 years

Origin

Papua – montane rainforest from 1,000 m

Protection status

CITES II, export from Indonesia is heavily restricted

Brumation

None, but a clear night-time drop

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.

Notes

A montane forest species – the commonest source of keeping mistakes is caring for it too warm. Permanently above 27 °C leads to problems. Very rare, expensive, and to be acquired only with unbroken proof of origin.

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Related species

• Amethystine python (Simalia amethistina) – Intermediate to expert
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• Angolan python (Python anchietae) – Intermediate
• Black-headed python (Aspidites melanocephalus) – Intermediate
• Burmese python (Python bivittatus) – Expert
• Indian python (Python molurus) – Expert
• Ball python (Python regius) – Beginner to intermediate
• Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Boelen's python (Simalia boeleni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 200×150×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, over 2 m)), substrate (Coco humus or bark mulch, sturdy climbing branches, a large water spot), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.