Colombian rainbow boa (Epicrates alvarezi)

Short answers

Colombian rainbow boa: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 120×75×115 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, E. angulifer over 1.5 m).

Colombian rainbow boa: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 30–33 °C (local hot spot; sustained temperatures above 32 °C are poorly tolerated), at night 22–25 °C.

Colombian rainbow boa: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential (nocturnal), low UVB (Ferguson zone 1) optional.

Colombian rainbow boa: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years (up to 25).

Colombian rainbow boa: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

22–25 °C

Basking spot

30–33 °C (local hot spot; sustained temperatures above 32 °C are poorly tolerated)

Humidity

70–90 % (up to 100 % at night)

UVB

UVB not essential (nocturnal), low UVB (Ferguson zone 1) optional

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 120×75×115 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, E. angulifer over 1.5 m)

Substrate

Forest floor or a coco humus and soil mix they can dig in, damp, at least 5 cm, with leaf litter and moss

Feeding

Food

Mice and rats (frozen-thawed), occasionally chicks or birds

Feeding interval

adults every 10–14 days, juveniles every 5–7 days

Key facts

Adult size

110–150 cm (females larger)

Life expectancy

15–20 years (up to 25)

Origin

The Gran Chaco – northern Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B; registration required in Germany (proof of origin or CITES paperwork needed)

Brumation

No real winter rest; a slight winter drop in temperature only to stimulate breeding

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – boas are solitary; put them together only briefly and under supervision for breeding (a risk of stress and injury)

Notes

The Chaco form is a little drier and cooler than E. c. cenchria. The main mistakes: conditions that are too dry OR too wet → shedding problems and respiratory infections; a large water basin matters. Some subspecies-specific figures are derived from the E. cenchria complex.

Do you keep this species?

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Look for Colombian rainbow boa (Epicrates alvarezi) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Caatinga rainbow boa (Epicrates assisi) – Intermediate
• Cerrado rainbow boa (Epicrates crassus) – 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Colombian rainbow boa (Epicrates alvarezi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 120×75×115 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, E. angulifer over 1.5 m)), substrate (Forest floor or a coco humus and soil mix they can dig in, damp, at least 5 cm, with leaf litter and moss), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.