The Cold Blooded News The Newsletter of the Colorado Herpetological Society Volume 28, Number 1;   January, 2001

Tidbits of Information
Rosy Boa

by Eileen Underwood

Common Name:

Rosy Boa

Scientific Name:

Lichanura trivirgata

Subspecies:

Desert Rosy Boa - Lichanura trivirgata gracia

Range: Southeast California and Southwest Arizona

Coastal Rosy Boa - Lichanura trivirgata roseofusca

Range: Southwest California coast

Baja Rosy Boa - Lichanura trivirgata myriolepis

Range: Baja California

Mexican rosy boa - Lichanura trivirgata trivirgata

Range: western mainland Mexico, southwest Arizona and Southern Baja

Size:

24-42 inches; weigh at least 125g

Age:

Record of 18 years, 7 months

Active:

Nocturnal or crepuscular, primarily terrestrial but can climb shrubs; diurnal in spring

Habitat:

Desert, arid scrub, brush land, rocky chaparral, ravines - where moisture is available

Captive Care:

10-30 gal aquarium with escape-proof screen lid; need good ventilation - if using sweater boxes, have numerous holes in sides for ventilation; under-tank heating; substrate: newsprint, coarse sand, dried pine, aspen, or Care Fresh; low climbing branch; shelter; water should be available occasionally (two days every one to two weeks) or if continuous access is desired, a smaller container will keep down soaking and humidity buildup (e.g., in sweater boxes glue small deli cup to bottom as anchor and insert second deli cup about half full of water inside first, clean and refill weekly)

Temperature:

Temperature gradient: nighttime 68°F (20°C) to daytime 82°F (28°C), bask 85-93°F (29-34°C) (mandatory for gravid females, especially need ventral heat). 93°F absolute maximum brumate at 55-65°F for 6-10 weeks

Foods:

In nature: small mammals (pinky cottontails) and birds In captivity: mice - pinky, fuzzy, small adults, or chicks; Adults: 1-3 small mice weekly (avoid obesity)

Temperament:

Calm; seldom bites but will coil into ball with head in center if frightened

Breeding:

Live-bearing, mate early to late spring (depending on subspecies) Brumation: 2-4 months at 50-59°F (10-15°C) Gestation: 3 1/2 to 5 months Mandatory 85-93°F (29-34°C) under-snake heat while gravid Clutch size: 2-5 babies (desert); 2-10 babies (coastal) - 5 average. Babies can be problem feeders, preferring wild mice (Peromiscus, deer mice) pinkies, or refusing to eat until after the first brumation.

Notes:

Males distinguishable from females based on presence of spurs. May not tolerate moisture (humid conditions) as well as other temperate species

References:

Behier, John L. and King, F. Wayne. (1979) The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 719pp.

Cobourn, John. (1995) Boas & Pythons and other friendly snakes. T.F.H. publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ. 191 pp.

Mehrtens, John M. (1987) Living Snakes of the World. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. New York.

Merker, Gerold and Merker, Cindy. (1995) The Alure of Rosy Boas. Reptiles 2(4): 48-63.

Ross, M.D., Richard and Marzec, Gerald. (1990) The Reproductive Husbandry of Pythons and Boas. Institute for Herpetological Research, PO Box 2227, Stanford, CA 94305

Rossi, John V. and Rossi, Roxanne. (1995) Snakes of the United States and Canada, Keeping Them Healthy in Captivity, Vol 2 Western Area. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, FL, 325pp.

Walls, Jerry G. (1994) Boas, Rosy and Ground. T.F.H. publications. Inc., Neptune City, NJ. 64pp.

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