Cuban boa (Chilabothrus angulifer)
Snakes · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Cuban boa (Chilabothrus angulifer) (origin: Cuba). Adult size around 200–350 cm. Life expectancy 20–30 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Cuban boa: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 350×175×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, as for Epicrates, a split-off species).
Cuban boa: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 33 °C, at night 21–24 °C.
Cuban boa: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).
Cuban boa: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 20–30 years.
Cuban boa: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 21–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 33 °C
- Humidity
- 60–75 %
- UVB
- Recommended (UVB 5.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 350×175×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, as for Epicrates, a split-off species)
- Substrate
- Bark mulch, cork tubes, sturdy climbing branches, a water dish
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed rats of a suitable size
- Feeding interval
- every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 200–350 cm
- Life expectancy
- 20–30 years
- Origin
- Cuba
- 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
The largest West Indian boa; in the wild it also hunts bats at cave entrances. Live-bearing and very fond of climbing. Markedly larger than is often assumed – clarify the space requirement in advance.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Hispaniolan boa (Chilabothrus striatus) – Intermediate
- Amazon tree boa (Corallus batesii) – Expert
- Argentine boa (Boa constrictor occidentalis) – Intermediate
- True red-tailed boa – Guyana (Boa constrictor constrictor) – Intermediate
- True red-tailed boa – Peru (Boa constrictor constrictor) – Intermediate
- True red-tailed boa – Suriname (Boa constrictor constrictor) – Intermediate
- True red-tailed boa (Boa constrictor constrictor) – Intermediate
- Bibron's bevel-nosed boa (Candoia bibroni) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Cuban boa (Chilabothrus angulifer) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 350×175×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, as for Epicrates, a split-off species)), substrate (Bark mulch, cork tubes, sturdy climbing branches, a 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/Cuban_boa, https://westindianboas.org/west-indian-boas/genus-chilabothrus/angulifer/, https://www.fws.gov/species/cuban-boa-chilabothrus-angulifer
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).