Boids (boas, pythons)

The boids comprise the boas and pythons: powerful constricting snakes, non-venomous, which kill their prey by squeezing it. They range from the small sand boa to giants such as the anaconda or the boa constrictor. Boas and pythons look alike, but boas give birth to fully formed young, whereas pythons lay eggs which they incubate coiled around them.

A real commitment

Taking on a boid is no small matter: depending on the species, it can live 30 years and exceed several metres. The royal python (1 to 1.80 m, docile) suits a motivated beginner — see its factsheet — whereas a Burmese python or an adult boa requires a genuinely dedicated room and, given its size, can become dangerous. Find out about the adult size before buying a juvenile.

Its living environment

The size of the terrarium follows that of the snake: about 100 × 60 × 60 cm for a royal python, a room several metres across for a large python. A temperature gradient is needed (a hot spot around 30-35 °C, cooler at night) controlled by a thermostat, together with a large container of clean water and a simple substrate (paper or suitable bedding). Above all, a foolproof closure: snakes are expert escape artists.

Living well with your snake

• Choose a young animal, one of the calmest, and handle it regularly so that it keeps a settled temperament.
• Never handle it just after touching prey: its sense of smell is keen, its eyesight less so, and it could mistake you for the meal.
• Feed it through a different opening from the one used for routine care (rodents suited to its size).
• Bear in mind that, as the owner, you are legally responsible for your animal in all circumstances.

Content from the Au Furet veterinary practice, rewritten for owners.