Dumeril's Boa (Acrantophis dumerili)

Dumeril's Boa Acrantophis dumerili
Name	Dumeril's Boa
Name Lat.	Acrantophis dumerili
Family	Boas
Family lat.	Boidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Madagascar
Habitat	Rainforests
Diet	Small mammals
Humidity	60-80 %
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Individual, pair
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Ovoviviparous
Housing	Humid terrarium
Life Span	20-25 years
Protection	CITES Appendix I; EU Annex A
Metric Units
Size	2 m
Temperature	25-30 °C
Temperature Local	30-35 °C
Housing Size	150 x 100 x 150 cm
US Units
Size	78"
Temperature	77-86 °F
Temperature Local	86-95 °F
Housing Size	60" x 40" x 60"

Distribution and habitat

The range of the crepuscular and nocturnal Dumerils Madagascar boa extends over the southern and southwestern parts of Madagascar, where they are found in semi-humid to humid forests.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals:

1-2 animals

0,75KL x 0,5KL x 0,75KL (L x W x H)

Body length (KL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal the floor space should be increased by 20%. A terrarium of e.g. L 150 x W 100 x H 150 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

They need a terrarium structured with large roots, horizontal climbing branches, branch forks, bamboo sticks and stones (hiding places, privacy screens, sunning places) with a moisture-retaining substrate, e.g. of peat-soil mixture with foliage, as well as a large, easy-to-clean water basin as a drinking and bathing opportunity. One third of the substrate should always be kept slightly moist. Once a day, preferably in the evening, the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better

Temp. day: 25-30 °C

Temp. night: 22-24 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °C

Humidity: 60-80

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 12-14 hrs. depending on the season. Daylight fluorescent tubes are ideal.

Diet

They feed on live mice, rats and other rodents according to their size. After acclimation, they often succeed in switching to dead food animals. Juveniles should be offered food every 8-10 days and adults every 14-20 days, with occasional periods of fasting (e.g., skipping a feeding). If the snake is disturbed after feeding, this may result in vomiting of the prey. In general, it is better to offer several small feeders, rather than one very large one. It is important to enrich the food animals with vitamins and minerals. Since the snake could be injured by live rodents, it should not be left unattended with them.

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Probing by the veterinarian is the only reliable method of sex determination

They are viviparous (ovoviviparous). After a gestation period of 6-8 months, up to 16 fully developed young are born, which can be fed with young mice

Life expectancy can be over 20 years.

Species protection

They must be identified in accordance with Appendix 6 of the Federal Species Protection Ordinance. The animal population must be reported to the competent authority in writing immediately after the start of keeping. Subsequently, all arrivals and departures must be reported. Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Species protection: WA Appendix I; EU Appendix A. You will receive a CITES document at the time of purchase confirming that this animal is an offspring. Please keep the CITES document in a safe place!

Important

Among giant snakes, Acrantophis dumerili is considered peaceful

For the resting phase, the lighting duration is shortened by 2-4 hours for 1-2 months and the temperature is lowered by 3-4 °C

When handling always have snake hooks, protective gloves and cold water ready.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Christian Sänger; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten -  Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF