Rosy Boa Care Sheets & Behavior

February 19, 2024 julius
Julius snoozing in his pod.
Julius snoozin’.

This page is for links to care sheets geared toward novice Rosy Boa keepers (like me!). Afterward, there are links to museum pages that describe Rosy Boa behavior in the wild.

Incorporating both types of info might give you additional insight if you are ever unsure of your husbandry, or wondering why your Rosy Boa acts the way they do.

Rosy Boa Care Sheets

Below are the two most helpful care sheets we’ve found so far:

  • Reptifiles Rosy Boa Care Sheet
    • More concise & up-to-date guidelines (especially with enclosure sizes, heating, & lighting recommendations).
    • However, do NOT follow the recommendation to use sand as your only substrate.
      • Sand is an impaction risk and can harm your Rosy Boa. : (
      • If used in a mix of substrate, it’s considered generally safe. But using it alone as your only substrate is not recommended because of the potential impaction risk.

Outdated Care Sheet (for Archival Interest)

  • Reptiles Magazine – Rosy Boa Care Sheet (Outdated)

    • This care sheet’s guidelines are fairly out of date. It’s a good idea to cross-check anything in this care sheet with at least 1 (and preferable more) care sheets/sources, because many of this care sheet’s suggestions are not up to today’s standard of Rosy Boa care.
    • I include it here partially because this is one of the first care guides that show up when you try searching for one. I think addressing it has issues might be helpful documentation (particularly for keepers new to Rosy Boas, as this might be one of the first guides they stumble across, as it was for us!)
    • I also think it is interesting comparison for how care guides have evolved over time, because seeing how standards of care evolved can be insightful.

Rosy Boa Behavior in the Wild

In caring for our new Rosy Boa, I found it helpful (and very enjoyable) to learn how these delightful creatures behave in the wild. By better understanding the preferences of their wild cousins, it became easier to understand which husbandry decisions might best benefit our particular snake.

Rosy Boa page on Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in San Jose, California

Rosy Boa Snakes on Turtle Bay Museum in Redding, California

Rosy Boa page on WebMD (randomly)

Owing to how this species is not as widespread as current popular pet serpents, there is an abundance of conflicting info a beginning Rosy Boa keeper will likely see upon researching your new snake companion.

Because of this, it is recommended to absorb information and care advice from multiple sources. Try to not rely too heavily on any one source. Examine similarities and differences in your research, and arrive at your best judgment for what is in the interest and health of your snake, depending on both of your individual circumstances.

Your new Rosy Boa has only you to rely on for its care. It’s our responsibility to ensure we raise the happiest, healthiest snakes as is possible in captivity!