Colombian rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria)

Short answers

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

From 180×115×175 cm (minimum size according to 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; not sustained above 32 °C), at night 22–24 °C.

Colombian rainbow boa: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential (nocturnal), low UVB optional.

Colombian rainbow boa: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: up to 20–25 years.

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

22–24 °C

Basking spot

30–33 °C (local hot spot; not sustained above 32 °C)

Humidity

60–80 % during the day, up to 100 % at night

UVB

UVB not essential (nocturnal), low UVB optional

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 180×115×175 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, E. angulifer over 1.5 m)

Substrate

Coco humus or forest floor, damp and diggable, at least 5–8 cm, with leaf litter

Feeding

Food

Mice and rats (frozen-thawed), occasionally birds

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

females 1.6–2.3 m, males approx. 1.5–1.6 m

Life expectancy

up to 20–25 years

Origin

The Amazon basin – Brazil (and neighbouring countries)

Protection status

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

Brumation

None (a slight drop only to stimulate breeding)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – solitary; put them together only under supervision for breeding. Even where group keeping works, the feeding accident remains the risk: always feed them singly, ideally in separate boxes, and only house animals of roughly the same size together.

Notes

Known for strongly iridescent scales. Constantly high humidity is critical (otherwise shedding and respiratory problems); nocturnal, and it needs a large water basin; it tolerates no permanent heat above 32 °C.

Do you keep this species?

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Colombian rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria) currently offered

• Brasilianische Regenbogenboa (Epicrates cenchria), 0.1, NZ 2022 – Treuchtlingen

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Related species

• Caatinga rainbow boa (Epicrates assisi) – Intermediate
• Cerrado rainbow boa (Epicrates crassus) – Intermediate
• Colombian rainbow boa (Epicrates alvarezi) – 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 cenchria cenchria) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 180×115×175 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, E. angulifer over 1.5 m)), substrate (Coco humus or forest floor, damp and diggable, at least 5–8 cm, with leaf litter), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.