Hog Island boa (Boa constrictor imperator)

Short answers

Hog Island boa: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 180×90×135 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, American boas, adult).

Hog Island boa: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 32–35 °C (local hot spot), at night 22–24 °C.

Hog Island boa: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential, weak UVB (Ferguson zone 1) recommended.

Hog Island boa: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years.

Hog Island 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

32–35 °C (local hot spot)

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

UVB not essential, weak UVB (Ferguson zone 1) recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 180×90×135 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, American boas, adult)

Substrate

Coco humus, pine bark or cypress mulch, slightly damp

Feeding

Food

Frozen mice or rats of a suitable size

Feeding interval

adults every 10–14 days, juveniles weekly

Key facts

Adult size

males approx. 140 cm, females approx. 170 cm, rarely up to 190 cm

Life expectancy

20–30 years

Origin

The Cayos Cochinos (Hog Islands) off Honduras – a local form of Boa constrictor imperator

Protection status

Boa constrictor: CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B – proof of origin and registration with the responsible authority are required

Brumation

No real winter rest; a slight night-time or seasonal drop encourages readiness to breed

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – boas are loners; put them together only briefly for supervised breeding, and never keep males together; there is a risk of cannibalism and stress

Notes

A small, quiet island variant of Boa imperator, and so more manageable than the mainland boas. Common mistakes: feeding too much or too often (obesity), and conditions that are too dry (shedding problems). Do not forget the registration requirement and proof of origin.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• 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
• Common boa – Costa Rica (Boa constrictor imperator) – Intermediate
• Common boa – Honduras (Boa constrictor imperator) – Intermediate
• Common boa – Colombia (Boa constrictor imperator) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Hog Island boa (Boa constrictor imperator) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 180×90×135 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, American boas, adult)), substrate (Coco humus, pine bark or cypress mulch, slightly damp), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.