Cerrado rainbow boa (Epicrates crassus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Cerrado rainbow boa (Epicrates crassus) (origin: Central Brazil, Paraguay – the Cerrado). Adult size around 100–140 cm. Life expectancy 15–25 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Cerrado rainbow boa: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 140×70×105 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, slender boas).
Cerrado rainbow boa: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–31 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 21–24 °C.
Cerrado rainbow boa: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).
Cerrado rainbow boa: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–25 years.
Cerrado rainbow boa: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–31 °C
- Night temperature
- 21–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 32 °C
- Humidity
- 60–75 %
- UVB
- Recommended (UVB 5.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 140×70×105 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, slender boas)
- Substrate
- Coco humus and bark mulch, a cork hide, climbing branches, a large water dish
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice of a suitable size
- Feeding interval
- every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 100–140 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–25 years
- Origin
- Central Brazil, Paraguay – the Cerrado
- Protection status
- CITES II
- Brumation
- A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks
- 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
Smaller and stockier than the Brazilian rainbow boa, with a pronounced iridescent sheen. Live-bearing. To be kept a little drier than the rainforest forms.
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Related species
- Caatinga rainbow boa (Epicrates assisi) – Intermediate
- Colombian rainbow boa (Epicrates alvarezi) – Intermediate
- Colombian rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria) – Intermediate
- Colombian rainbow boa (Epicrates maurus) – Intermediate
- Egyptian sand boa (Eryx colubrinus colubrinus) – Beginner
- Arabian sand boa (Eryx jayakari) – Beginner to intermediate
- Red sand boa (Eryx johnii) – Intermediate
- Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei) – Beginner
What you need to start
To keep Cerrado rainbow boa (Epicrates crassus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 140×70×105 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, slender boas)), substrate (Coco humus and bark mulch, a cork hide, climbing branches, a large water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicrates_crassus, https://reptifiles.com/brazilian-rainbow-boa-care-sheet/, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Epicrates&species=crassus
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).