Rosy boa (Lichanura trivirgata)

Short answers

Rosy boa: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 120×50×70 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, rosy boas); ground-dwelling.

Rosy boa: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Rosy boa: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential, weak UVB (Ferguson zone 1–2) recommended.

Rosy boa: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 18–25+ years (record ~30).

Rosy boa: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

32 °C

Humidity

40–60 % (dry, desert species)

UVB

UVB not essential, weak UVB (Ferguson zone 1–2) recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 120×50×70 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, rosy boas); ground-dwelling

Substrate

A sand and soil mix (dry), hides of cork bark and stones

Feeding

Food

Frozen mice of a suitable size

Feeding interval

adults every 7–14 days (do not overfeed), juveniles weekly

Key facts

Adult size

60–90 cm (a small, powerful constrictor)

Life expectancy

18–25+ years (record ~30)

Origin

The south-west of the USA, Baja California and north-western Mexico (deserts and semi-deserts)

Protection status

Protected: CITES Appendix II, EU Annex B - proof of origin required at purchase and resale. Predominantly captive-bred - local collecting regulations apply in California (trade is mostly captive-bred).

Brumation

Recommended – a winter rest or brumation of about 2–3 months at ~10–13 °C (for health and breeding; two weeks without food beforehand to empty the gut)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – solitary; put them together only for supervised breeding, and never keep males together

Notes

A quiet, robust beginner's boa. Important: dry conditions, avoid low floor temperatures, and do not overfeed (a tendency to obesity). "Rosenboa" is the German-language trade name for the rosy boa.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Rosy boa (Lichanura trivirgata) in the marketplace →

Related species

• 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
• Amazon tree boa (Corallus hortulanus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Rosy boa (Lichanura trivirgata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 120×50×70 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, rosy boas); ground-dwelling), substrate (A sand and soil mix (dry), hides of cork bark and stones), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.