Cuban dwarf boa (Tropidophis melanurus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Cuban dwarf boa (Tropidophis melanurus) (origin: Cuba). Adult size around 60–100 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Cuban dwarf boa: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 100×50×75 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, dwarf boas).
Cuban dwarf boa: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot 30 °C, at night 20–23 °C.
Cuban dwarf boa: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not required.
Cuban dwarf boa: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
Cuban dwarf boa: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 24–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 20–23 °C
- Basking spot
- 30 °C
- Humidity
- 60–75 %
- UVB
- Not required
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 100×50×75 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, dwarf boas)
- Substrate
- Coco humus with leaf litter, a cork hide, climbing branches, a water dish
Feeding
- Food
- Small frozen-thawed mice; juveniles are sometimes imprinted on lizards
- Feeding interval
- every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 60–100 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- Cuba
- Protection status
- CITES II
- Brumation
- None
- 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 small, nocturnal dwarf boa. When threatened it can release blood from its eyes and mouth and roll into a ball – an unusual defensive behaviour. Live-bearing.
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Related species
- Dark-spotted anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei) – Expert
- Yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) – Expert
- Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) – Expert
- Central American dwarf boa (Ungaliophis continentalis) – Intermediate
- Common egg-eating snake (Dasypeltis scabra) – Intermediate
- Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon) – Intermediate
- Andean milk snake (Lampropeltis micropholis) – Intermediate
- Angolan python (Python anchietae) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Cuban dwarf boa (Tropidophis melanurus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 100×50×75 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, dwarf boas)), substrate (Coco humus with leaf litter, a cork hide, climbing branches, a water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, 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/Tropidophis_melanurus, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Tropidophis&species=melanurus
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).