Dumeril's boa (Acrantophis dumerili)
Snakes · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Dumeril's boa (Acrantophis dumerili) (origin: South-western Madagascar – dry forest). Adult size around 150–200 cm. Life expectancy 20–30 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Dumeril's boa: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 180×100×150 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, Madagascar boas over 1.5 m).
Dumeril's boa: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 20–23 °C.
Dumeril's boa: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended.
Dumeril's boa: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 20–30 years.
Dumeril's boa: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 20–23 °C
- Basking spot
- 32 °C
- Humidity
- 60–75 %
- UVB
- Recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 180×100×150 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, Madagascar boas over 1.5 m)
- Substrate
- Coco humus or bark mulch, large hides, a stable water basin
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed rats
- Feeding interval
- adults every 2–3 weeks
Key facts
- Adult size
- 150–200 cm
- Life expectancy
- 20–30 years
- Origin
- South-western Madagascar – dry forest
- Protection status
- CITES I (EU Annex A) – commercial use only with a certificate
- Brumation
- A cooler spell of 6–8 weeks (about 22 °C) to stimulate breeding
- 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 quiet, heavy ground boa. IMPORTANT: CITES Appendix I – buying and selling only with a valid EU marketing certificate and unbroken proof of origin.
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Related species
- Madagascar ground boa (Acrantophis madagascariensis) – Intermediate
- Malagasy tree boa (Sanzinia madagascariensis) – Intermediate
- Malagasy ground boa (Sanzinia volontany) – 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
- Argentine boa (Boa constrictor occidentalis) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Dumeril's boa (Acrantophis dumerili) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 180×100×150 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, Madagascar boas over 1.5 m)), substrate (Coco humus or bark mulch, large hides, a stable water basin), 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: 30 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%BCdliche_Madagaskarboa, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Acrantophis&species=dumerili
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).